Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-12

sUBURBs-orHKR MATTKRs OF INTEREST.
The Knights Templar have given q slight
check to the real estate market during the past
week. Brass bands and badges have received
more attention than loans and lots. II some
thrifty dealer has drawn to one side a knightly
visitor and displayed to his gaze the richness
OF his property list he is probably a rare excep-
ton. For the most part but little business has
been transacted amid the distractions of the
past week. The fact that such large number
Of intelligent visitors were ''doing the town"
rather relieved the real estate men from the
necessity Of making an effortin business way.
The city speaks for itselfin such an attractive al
Turing manner that human speech, however skill
full, seems out Of place. There is necessity for
boomers in place that booms itself and Wash
lngton does that in very effective manner.
There is no doubt that some proportion of the
visitors will look forward to the time when they
can come and live in Washington. The lovely
weather contributed to the picture which this
city presents to the visitor from the average
unkempt city % town of this country and en-
phasized the contrast. The visitors liked the
streets, they admired the architecture, public
and private. and they were delighted with the
open-handed hospitality which greeted them.
They saw with what ease and comfort a large
crowd could be accommodated here, and
interests recognized the fact that this city was
the best place to hold the great exposition of
1892 1t was evident from conversation with
the visitors generally that Washington is the
first choice of some and the second
choice of large number. Those who
favor Chicago first favor Washington second,
and the same is true of the advocates of the
selection of New York city. However this
question may be determined one thing is GER
tain. that the thousands Of visitors from all
ing the past week have carried away with them
pleasant impressions of the city.
SUBURBAN GROWTH.
The work Of laying the tracks Of the Ecking
ton electric railroad out 4th street east to the
entrance of the grounds of the new Catholic
university was completed. Cars have been
run over the newly finished portion of the
road, but the roadway is not quite ready for
regular travel In q short time car can be
taken at New York avenue and 18th street di-
rectly to the gate of the university grounds
An entrance to the grounds of the Soldiers
Home is near by, 30 that this beautiful park of
the city is now made easily accessible to the large
majority who do not own carriages and cannot
afford to hire them. Facilities for reaching
the northern suburbs of the city are multiply
ing. A street car line now extends out the 7th.
street road to Brightwood, while Tenleytown
will be soon be joined to the city by an electric
street railway AS the means of rapid COM
munication are provided, improvements fol-
low. The District authorities have completed
the opening up of 4th street east and LIST street
west. Michigan avenue, following the southern
boundary of the Soldiers Home grounds, is
now open for the new reservoir back of Howard
university to the intersection OF Lincoln
avenue with the Bunker Hill road
lexington and Brookland are growing into
suburban settlements. On the 7th street road
the large tract of land known as Petworth is
now being graded and streets conforming in
width and direction with the city streets are
being laid out. There is a probability that at
the coming session Of Congress some action
will be taken looking to the extension of all
the city streets. 1t Is believed that this will
add to the impetus of the suburban movement
the city's growth.
THE DEMAND FOR HOUSES.
The renting season, which is just about over
has proved to be very successful one. There
has been a large demand for houses and the
renting lists of the real estate dealers presents
rather emaciated appearance. There are, OF
course, a number of houses which are still for
rent, but it is seldom that everything is taken
The rents obtained have been fully as high as
last year, and dealers found no difficulty in OBJ
tanning the prices asked. In view Of the fact
that more houses were erected last year than
for several previous years, it may be concluded
that the city is increasing in population. Build
ing is still in progress in all sections Of the city
and is likely to continue as long as the weather
permits.
SOME NEW HOUSES.
MIR. John A. Norris, through Mr.. c. Y. Trott,
builder, has taken out permit to erect two
brick dwellings, at 1901 and 1908 Riggs place. at
a cost Of $40, 400. Mr.. Trott is also building two
and basement dwellings on 18th
street. The buildings will have pressed brick