Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-28
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
The Prospects for the Approaching
Building Season.

WHAT ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS AND THE MECHANICS
HAVE TO sAY-IMPRovEMENTs ALONG THE TEN
LEYTowN ROAD AND OTHER MATTERS OF IN
TEREsr.
At the close of the first month in winter il
seems rather premature to discuss the building
prospects of the coming season. But this is
exactly what is being done by architects, build
ers and mechanics. The first named naturally
fall into such a line of talk for the reason that
people are beginning to drop into their offices
to get ideas about proposed new buildings and
residences. One of the leading architects of
the city told STAR man a few DAYS ago that he
was drawing large number of sketch plans,
and from the inquiries being made he thought
that building operations would be quite active
in the spring. The plans that were being pre-
pared, he said, were both for business build
ings and residences. Other architects are
doing the same kind of prospective
work and while a great deal of it may prove to
be only diversion for the idle time of people
who are fond of building castles in Spain. yet
a good proportion of the sketch-plan work
reaches the sound and more substantial point
In architectural development which is that of
the detailed plans. The season thus far has
been so open that it has been possible to con-
tlnue building operations, and besides a few
new buildings have been started. But a rule
this is the dull.se for architects and in the
building trades generally.
WHAT THE BUILDERS SAY.
Among the builders the opinion is expressed
that the prospects for the coming season are
quite promising. They state that there is no
increase in the prices of materials and that the
cost of building will be the same as last year.
1t was feared that the destruction of the canal
would increase the cost of certain materials
such as lime. But it is found that lime can be
burnt and brought to this city bv rail as cheap
~ it was furnished by the lime burners in
this city who have, since the closing of the
canal. gone out of the business. The stone for
building purposes obtained from the upper
Potomac has not been in general use in this city
for mum Der OF years past, and so there is no
increase in cost to be expected in this direc-
ton. The supply of bricks for the coming sea-
son, 1t is thought, owing to several reasons. will
be equal to the demand, and the advance in
prices that took place in the latter part of the
last season will not be continued next season.
There is another element entering into the
cost OF building and the most important one,
namely, the cost of labor. Some of the builders
IN talking over the situation with a STAR re-
porter said that there had been vague rumors
about an eight-hour movement on the part of
the trades unions. They had no definite in
formation. however, but were of the opinion
that If the hours of labor were shortened the
cost OF building would, of course, be increased.
1t was stated that all bidding for new work
was being made on the basis of the present
hours OF labor. One builder said that if the
public could stand the increased cost the
builders would have no objection to the change
In the hours, as the difference in the cost of
building came out of the pockets of the owner
and not Of the builder. The general drift of
opinion among the builders seemed to be that
no general effort would be made to obtain the
elght-hour day in this city.
THE EIGHT-HoUR DAY.
The discussion about a probable demand for
shorter hours has been suggested by the action
of the recent labor convention in Boston. 1t
was there decided to leave it to the vario us
trade organizations whether movement
should be inaugurated for the enforcement of
the eight-hour day on May l next. As Mr.. Paul
i. Bowen who Is familiar with the situation in
this city, told STAR reporter recently, there
has been a good deal of talk among the men,
bers of the various trades organizations here
relative to the eight-hour movement. At pres
ent the hours OF work for the building trades
in this city range from eight to ten hours a
day. The stone cutters union and the plas-
terers' union are the only labor organizations
here which have the eight-hOur day. The
others work nine and ten hours. Mr.. Bowen
said that no action had as yet been taken in
regard to the ques ton of endeavoring to
secure general eight-hour day, begin
ming May l next. He thought that
the men here were opposed to forcing such
movement as was attempted three years ago.
He was OF the opinion that if the men could gain
their point by negotiation that they would do
1t. However, he said that it was too early to
say what would be done. The men, he said
were conscious that their cause was just and
would ultimately prevail, but the fixing a
definite time for carrying into effect such a
change was question OF entirely different
complexion. In the course of few weeks i.
would be known how general this movement
would be and that, of course, he thought would
nave an influence upon the situation here
ON THE TENLEYTowN ROAD.
The most recent transaction in property along
the Tenleytown road is the purchase by Mr.. c.
Heurich Of portion of the tract of land known
as Friendship, lying near Tenleytown. This
tract contains 9.41 acres and the price paid was
$4,000. 1t IS the intention of the purchaser to
improve this property. The prospect of the
speedy completion of the electric railroad
which Will connect Tenleytown and this CITY,
has had stimulating effect upon property in
that vicinity and several transactions are now
Ill process of negotiation which will involve the
transfer Of good deal of property There is
no doubt but that this section of the suburbs
Will become more of resort than it has been
In the past and provision will be made for the
accommodation of visitors.
IN THE EASTERN SECTION.
iHe movement III property In the eastern
section OF the city, which has been referred to
before. still continues to be the feature of the
market. During the past few weeks several
entire squares have changed hands. A fair
proportion OF the daily transfers il of property
IN that part of the city. While this activity il
regarded as speculative to a certain extent vet
1t Is also considered to be the continuation of
the development which has made steady pro-
gre7s IN that section for several years past. The
number OF houses have increased street i'm
provements have been pushed forward with
rapldity and large areas have been brought INTO
the market which have been withheld for
years. Attention is being turned to the section
OF the city in the southeast which is bounded
on the west BY the Old canal and extends north
a. far as Garfield park. There are number of
squares IN that locality which have never been
improved. 1t Is believed that with the ex-
pected increase in street railroad facilities that
all this property will be brought into the
market.