Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24

JOY to the World (antiocktune); Ave Marie Echu.
BERT; Coronation Hymn: Kyn Eleison; Mozarts
lsh Xmas carol Q6th century,; carol, Carol
Christians; Adeste Fideles; The Old Folks at
Wen be Gay and Happy; Home, Sweet Home.
THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.
Prospects for a Brisk and Lively Busi-
ness i'm the Spring.
THE LICENSE REQUIRED OF REAL ESTATE Agents.
SUGGESTION AS TO A GRADED WATER TAx-PRI-
vATE STABLES AND THEIR REGULATION
Great activity is predicted in the real estate mar
ket with the opening Of spring. or perhapsit would
be more correct to say greater activity. for the
market has continued thus far in the winter to
show marked interest on the part of investors
There are no indications showing that there will
be any check in this activity. Excessive prices
asked for lands and houses will bring about reac-
ton as quick as anything. But the extent Of the
market regulates and keeps down the inevitable
tendency to imitation Of prices If It is considered
that the price asked for lot or a house is too
sirable which can be obtained, and so the pur-
chaser Is not restricted. The owners realize this
ana they have either to keep within reasonable
demands or their property will remain idle on
their hands. The rapid growth of the
city and the large amounts Of money
years would under ordinary circumstances have
had the effect OF greatly Initiating prices, but the
extent OF the market, the large amount OF land
nection the opening up OF so much suburban land
mas been OF great advantage, for the more prop
tors and the more reasonable the prices.
TIE TAX ON REAL ESTATE AGENTS
The action OF the Commissioners in bringing suit
against some OF the real estate agents to compel
them to comply with the law relative to the pay
ment OF license and the filing of bond has had
mn fhfc
than usual. There has been more or less opposi-
ton to this law for some years past and number
in this way test case was brought before the
court, which was decided adversely to the agents.
The District commissioners have given instruc-
lions that the law should be enforced, and in some
cases suit has been brought to compel the pay
ment OF the license OF former years which has been
withheld pending the decision Of the suit. 1t is
Claimed that the law is hardship as 1t requires
not only the payment OF license fee of s25 but the
fling of bond for s. 900 with two sureties and in
commissions. II has been urged that it
was the intention OF Congress to repeal the
bond requirement. but by an oversight this
provision was allowed to remain the law. The
courts, however, have not sustained this position
ana IN consequence the real estate agents are COM
PEELED to comply with it or run the risk OF being
prosecuted by the District government. The III
cense law In regard to auctOneers is the same ex-
cept that only one-quarter per cent. of their COM
missions Is required. Insurance agents are also
subject to the same regulations with the exception
that no bond is required. SO far this year about $50
licenses. Some
Of the agents claim that this number is not halt of
those who are engaged in the real estate business
In TINS CITY In last years directory the names Of
there has probably been quite a number
Of new men msa who have gone into the bus
Office are OF the opinion that all of the agents
regularly in the business either have taken out
fore the new year all win have com1lied with the
law. 1t Is probable that there are a number who
DO what Is known as 'curbstOnes business and
In other business and are not known as real estate
agents. The men who comply with the law and
pay tney their share OF the tax to the District
Government are naturally anxious to have all tn
the same business do the same, and as the Com
seems likely that the law Will be more strictly en-
forced this year than ever before.
MORE EQUITABLE WATER TAX
The statement has been made by Capt. Symons
OF the Engineer department OF the District gov
eminent, that it will be necessary to increase the
water TAX In order to bring the receipts from that
source up to the amount required to maintain and
improve the water service OF the CITY, The present
tax Is not considered burdensOme, and, in fact as
There is no complaint heard that it is excessive.
and it Is probable that no tax is paid with
greater cheerfulness. AT the same time there is
considerable proportion OF the citizens who have
read this part OF Captain Symons' report with
much interest, for, with them, the question of
the water supply is one OF daily and absorbing Inn
portance. These people, as rule, have serious
objection to any increase in the water rate now
paid oy them not because they regard these rates
as excessive In themselves, but because they do
not receive a full supply Of water. There are
great many people On Capitol Hill and along the
ridge In the northern part OF the city, and in other
localities, who so seldom get any water in their
second story that they have ceased to use their
path rooms located On that floor Then there are
others who very frequently are able to get no
water at all in their houses not even as far AS the
Kitchen, while it is a very common experience In
all parts of the city for the water not to reach the
m finn nf fI,aI a,r n
whether the supply Is full or scanty the same rate of
taxation prevails throughout the city, and the
and lime again that the tax must be paid, however
small the amount OF water obtained. There
are some cases where the flow OF water, even
as far as the kitchen, is Irregular and uncertain
but yet the same tax is paid as Ii full and gener-
erous supply was available throughout the house.
Under these circumstances it has been suggested
Dy some OF those whose supply OF Wateri now linn
tied, that instead of making uniform increase
In the tax throughout the city, that the rate be
much, when the water reaches the first story
Then another rate for the second story, and still
another and OF course higher rate when 1T reaches
the third story In this way it is claimed the peo-
pie who get full supply Will pay the highest tax
and those who are limited in this necessity viii in
measure 1n receive compensation by having to pay
arrangement is not equitable for the reason that
the man who has an abundant water supply for
than the man who has only meager and fnstffic-
lent supply In his kitchen.
THE ERECTION OF PRIVATE STABLES
There are great many private stables being
erected either on the rear of lots where fine houses
have been built or else In the near Vicinity Peo-
pie who own houses in the same locality are ant to
regard with some uneaSiness the building OF a
stable IN close proximity to their residences for
lear OF unpleasant consequences. The supervision
or the health department in such matters AFFORDS
protection from any nuisance OF this sort the
stables in good order and free from unnleasant
ooors, by law even II they have no inclination