Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-03

| HoUsE-AN ARCHITECTS REMARKS ON HUMAN
NAruRE--IMPRoyEMESrso OF VARIOUS KINDS IN
| PROGRESS.
There is a division of opinion as to the effect
OF even the limited agitation here of the labor
question upon building operations in this city.
Some are inclined to believe that the anticipa-
ton of the Inauguration Of the eight-hour
day by the building trades here has caused
those intending building to defer active opera
! tons and await developments. Others. who are
equally we'll informed claim that the present
siackness in building Is not due to the antici-
| pated disturbed condition of the labor mar
ket, rs the effect of it here was discounted
some months ago by the assurance from the
/ labor leaders that no strike was contemplated.
| The conferences between the representatives
| OF labor and the employers have been OF an
entirely harmonious character and have con-
! firmed the belief that the labor agitation
that has been going on in other portions OF
! the country would not develop here into any
strained relations or actual stoppage OF work.
! While number Of those engaged in building
state that business is rather dull as compared
with the corresponding period of last year,
still the records of the building inspectors
Office show an increase in the number of build
| ing permits as compared with the same time
last year. Builders. as rule, in discussing
| the present situation. admit that while there is
good deal of building there is not much
rs they were led to believe would mark the
opening of the present season. They at
| tribute this mainly to two causes one of which
! is the unusual weather Of last winter which
permitted building to be carried on almost
/ continuously. Another cause is the high price
! of bricks, which is about two dollars in adj
| vance of the price obtained last season. 1t is
| expected, however, that the season ad-
vances there will be greater activity in build
| ing.
| ADDING TO THE sHoREHAM.
! An addition is to be made to the Shoreham
! the apartment house which Vice President
Morton erected at the corner of 18th and H
streets. The house adjoining the present
| building, which was the house of DR.. Chas. Z.
Hagner was purchased some months ago by
Mr.. Morton. DIR. Hagner reserved the right to
| occupy the house until his new residence on NJ
street was completed. few days ago he
moved into his new house, and now workmen
are engaged in tearing down the old house pre-
paratory to building. The new addition will
occupy the entire lot, which is 30 by l26 feet.
1t will be the same height as the present build
ing and it will complete the original design OF
| the house. There will be large dining room
in the rear part connecting with the present
dining room. The upper stories will be divided
into rooms of suitable size. The work is being
done under the direction of Col. Robert l.
Fleming.
THE NINETEENTH-sTREET CHURCH BUILDING.
Extensive alterations and improvements will
be made in the church building occupied by
! the congregation of the Nineteenth-street Col
ored Baptist Church. Recently lot adjoining
the church building on street was purchased
and an extension will be built covering this lot
The Sunday school room on the first floor and
the auditorium will have about twenty feet
added to their depth. The entire interior will
be remodeled and in its improved and enlarged
condition it will be very handsome edifce,
QhC Nta fhll1 snf larf
congregation. Col. Robert l. Fleming has pre-
pared the plans.
AN ARCHITECTS OBSERVATIONS.
you can become familiar with good many
types of human nature in this business" re-
marked an architect the other day as he sat in
his Office trying to get the perspective on his
feet that were comfortably lodged on the edge
of his desk.
'How So" asked The STAR man as he tried
the effect Of the same style of elevation on his
feet
well you find out how some men treat their
wives and then you discover how people of
totally dissimilar ideas, combined with great
tenacity of will, live together as man and
wife"
lis the husband or the wife the authority
when home is to be built?" asked the
| listener.
'As rule" replied the architect, ''men act
on the principle that the women spend most
of their lives in the house, they ought to be
consulted In regard to the design and arrange
ment. But l have known men who never
thought of consulting their wives when about
to build. They choose plan and build the
house and after it is built the wife decides
whether she likes it or not.
while such a case arouses the sympathy of
the architect it is likely to cause him less
trouble and so 1t has Its compensation. Gen
orally speaking, the winding portion of the
road OF life in an architects experience occurs
when he finds it necessary to reconcile oppos-
ing ideas. The only possible solution, it seems
at first, is to draw two entirely dssmilar plans;
but then, as there is only one house to be
built. this is usually no solution
| at all. Naturally the architect comes in for
blame from both sides. and in one sense he is
to blame, for he has failed to give satisfaction.
After awhile however, one side yields little,
then the other side, and finally the general de-
sign OF the house is agreed upon. There is the
same difficulty over the details of the interior
finish and furnishing, but finally the house is
completed and then all parties unite in the
verdict that ii Is the haudsomest house ever
built So the sunshine succeeds the storm and
the architects life has its share of both varie-
ties of weather."
The architect paused in his analysis of human
nature to look over bill that had Just been
presented for his approval, and he suddenly
brought his foot to the floor with bang to
give emphasis to the volube comments which
the bill seemed to inspire. The STAR man
then quietly went out doors to seek the sun
shine.
SOME BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS
The property adjoining the Portland apart
ment house and extending from 14th street
through to Vermont avenue is to be improved
by the owner, Miss Annie K Humphreys A
tive-story building will be erected on the 14th
street front from plans prepared by Robert L.
Fleming, architect. The first floor will be used
for store purposes and the upper floors will be
arranged iii apartments. 1t Is the intention to
erect a residence on the Vermont avenue front
The same architect has prepared plans for Il
fve-story and basement building which will be
known as 14l7 q street. Mr.. l. g. Kimball is
making the Improvement. The basement and
the four upper stories will be fitted up for Office
purposes. On the first floor will be- a store
room, which will be occupied when completed
by Edmonston's shoe store, now located on
street
DR. wEBB's HOUSE.
A handsome new residence has Just been
begun on the east side of 10th street between
X and l. streets for DIR. E. j. Webb. The house
will have frontage of "a feet, will be of brown
stone and brick, three stories high and with a
! high roof of red slate. At the entrance will
be broad stone porch. The interior will be
! arranged with an entrance hall extending past
the parlor to the large square hail. where the
staircase will be. These halls to be panelled
! IN oak as will also the dining rooms. The rest
OF the first floor will be finished in cherry.