Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-20
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
Business Continues Active in Spite Of
the Hot Weather.

SOME LARGE PROPERTY owNERs-THE HIGH
OFFICIALS OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS AND THEIR
HoNEs-orHER MATTERS OF INTEREST.
A large number of the real estate dealers are
s1ll in the city, although it is the of the
year when, as a rule, they are away occupying
their summer cottages or boarding houses. A
STAR reporter asked several dealers why they
remained in the city. Some said that the walk
ing was not good, others said that there was
too much business demanding their attention,
while others replied that il was necessary to
stay home and earn enough money to keep
their families out of the city.
One of the leading dealers said that he was
really busy. What are you doing?" asked the
reporter, who was not at all skeptical, but
merely wanted to know.
''Well, sell a house now and then and also a
lot" was the reply. 'Then am making lots of
loans-I have enough to do in that line to keep
me busy. am not doing great business, but
still il is very good for this season of the year."
Other brokers talked in somewhat the same
strain, while there were some who seemed to
think that business was dull. The latter how
ever. appeared to be perfectly content to await
its revival. which is scheduled for about the
time the leaves begin 10 drop from the trees
and the furnace men are the busiest people in
the city.
THE CABINET OFFICERS HoMEs.
The members of the Cabinet are gradually
getting fixed in permanent quarters in this city
The Attorney General was the last man to drop
into line by leasing for a term of years a resi-
dence adjoining the house which Chief Justice
Fuller has leased, at the southwest corner of
Massachusetts avenue and 18th streets. Secre-
tary Window is not very far away. as he is oc-
cupying for the present the residence of Mr..
Gardiner Hubbard, on Dupont circle 1t is
probable that he will make his permanent
home in the old-fashioned house on street
near 14th street which was formerly
is now owned by Senator Sherman.
Secretary Tracy is making extensive
alterations to the Bacon house, on Farragut
square, which he recently purchased. The
workmen will be away from the house by the
time the family of the Secretary arrives in the
city for the winter. The residences of Vice
President Morton. on Scott circle, and Secretary
Blaine. on Lafayette square, are also in the
hands of the workmen. and it is expected that
the owners will be able to occupy them early
IN the fall. The members of the present add
ministration will be very comfortably housed
during their residence Here, and this fact
promises well for a season of great social
brilliancy.
TWO SENATORIAL STABLES.
Senator Hearst is having built in the vicinity
Of his residence on New Hampshire avenue,
near Dupont circle, large stable. There will
be stalls in it for the accommodation of seven
horses, and there will be also room for a num-
Der of carriages. The upper floor will be
fitted up for the use of the stablemen. Ii will
be one OF the largest private stables in the city,
but IL Will not equal in size or in the appoint
ments the stable built several years ago on L
street above 18th street by Senator Stanford.
The latter, however, keeps a large number
of horses, and his stables are generally sup
posed TO be some public establishment by those
passing by and judging merely from the great
size of the building. The Senator when he
came here was able TO rent a house that suited
him as place of residence, but he could not
find stable large enough to accommodate the
number Of horses which he wished to keep.
and so he bought the ground and built the
stable. 1t is believed to be the only piece of
property that Senator Stanford owns in the
District
Mr.. Charles J. Bell, of the firm of Bell 4 Co.,
bankers, is having plans prepared for q hand
some residence. which he proposes to build on
the east side of Connecticut avenue, south of
Dupont circle. In conjunction with Mr. Alex
ander Graham Bell he purchased, several
months ago, generous frontage on the avenue
and early In the fall he intends 10 begin the
erection OF house which he will occupy as his
home. The plans have been prepared by a
Boston firm of architects. The new house will
be rich and imposing. 1t is said to be the in
tention of Mr.. Bell TO improve the adjoining
bAOeAG INC cieSLOu VI d uut ItslQeQce.
THE NEW ASSESSMENT.
Real estate men and property owners are still
engaged in looking over the new assessment
books in the Arthur Place school building,
The board of equalization meets each day to
consider the complaints that are received
Some OF the members of the board who were
on previous boards say that the complaints
are not so numerous as they have been in for
mer years. The board. however, remains in
session until August 5, and there is yet an OPP
portunIty for the past record to be
beaten. It is said, however, that the
board is up with its work. and before
they adjourn each day they endeayor to dis
pose OF every complaint received and begin the
next day with a fresh calendar. When a COM
plant Is received from property holder it is
referred az once to the assessor in whose dis
trict the property is located The assessor
goes out and views the property again. and
them makes a report to the full board His
deeision Is then either reversed or sustained
IL Is difficult to ascertain what the effect of the
new assessment will be, as no general
summary of the result has been made
Some OF the large property owners, how
ever, have secured lists Of the new
values placed upon their property and have
been able to compare the new assessment with
the old. Mr.. Anthony Hyde, one of the
trustees OF the Corcoran estate. which holds
property IN all parts Of the District, told a
STAR reporter that he had made a hasty exami
nation Of the new assessed valuations of the prop
erty owned by the estate. From what he could
Judge he thought that the new assessment was
perhaps little higher than the old. but it was
not excessive. He was perfectly satisfied and
DO was his co-trustee. Mr.. @. NJ. Matthew'S and
oio not think that the trustees would appeal in
any case. however after a more careful in
spection of the lists. il might be necessary to
DO 30 In some instances. Generally speaking
he thought that the new assessment was very
satisfactory.
INCREASED on IMPROVED PROPERTY.
In talking with several other large property
owners the reporter found that the main criti-
cism OF the work Of the board Of assessors was
That they had increased in some instances the
assessment OF improved property. Ii was not
aleged so much that the advance was excess
nve, but they thought that it was mistake to
make any advance at all Improvements, they
claim, decrease IN value each year and
mat TACT they thought ought to be
recognized IN returning assessments II u.s.
however, said that the members Of the board
generally eoncede that fact when an appeal is
made and allow a suitable reduction The
property owners in the county complain that
their land has been valued excessively and they
propose 70 have the matter brought TO the at
tention Of the board
AN APARTMENT HOUSE.
Mr.. a. ii. Doubleday is having plans pre-
pared by i. Il. Schneider for an apartment
HOUSE, which he proposes to build on sth street,