Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-12
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
Workmen and Employers Considering
the Eight Hour-Da Problem.


the Eight-Hour-Day Problem.
OAK VIEW TO BE DIVIDED UP INTO CITY LOTS
THE PARTY WALL oUEsTIoS-rHE ERECTION
OF LARGE BUSINESS BuuDISos-oTHER MAT
TIERS OF INTEREST.
There has been as yet no definite outcome
from the conference between the representa-
tives Of labor organizations and employers in
regard to inaugurstng the sighshour system
in this city on the LIST of May
The whole subject was talked over
at a meeting Of the committee of the Dis
trict Assembly, Knights Of Labor. and the exc
cutive board Of the Builders Exchange. The
labor representatives asked that the builders
unite with them in introducing the eighthour
system. 1t was proposed to begin the eight
hour day on the LIST of May next, due allowance
being made for contracts already entered upon.
This proposition was not put in the form Of a
demand, nor was it intimated that unless the
request was granted an attempt would be
made to enforce 1t by a strike. The conference
was merely an interchange Of views, and
the practical questions involved in the proposed
change were discussed The amicable feeling
that existed was indicated by the statement
made on behalf Of the builders that they had
no objection to granting the request, but they
were apprehensive that the advance in the cost
Of building resulting from this change would
have the effect of checking building operations.
In other words the position of the employers
was that they were willing to agree to the eight
hour day if the people who build and who would
have to pay the advance in prices made no OBJ
lection. The labor representatives said that
they had no wish to retard building operations,
but that the demand for the eight-hour day,
which had been agitated for SO many years,
must be acceded To at aOme time and now
seemed to be as good time as any. They
quoted estimates to show that the cost
OF building under the operation of
the eight-hour day would only be
in the total cost Of the house which would
hardly be felt. This estimate was based upon
the calculation that the cost of labor in a
building was about one-third Of the total ex-
Pendlture. the ground representing another
third and the material the other third. 1t was
argued that materials advance in price, the
recent advance in the price OF bricks being
quoted a. an example; that ground increases i'll
value, and yet no complaint is made that build
ing operations are checked and that the pros
perity OF the city is retarded because of these
advances. 1t was thought that it was hardly
just to the mechanics to urge this objection.
The conference adjourned with the under
standing that the Builders Exchange would
announce some conclusion upon the PROPOSE
ton made on behalf of the mechanics. 1t is
reached before the 1st of May. In the labor
organizations the matter has been discussed
during the past winter, but it is said that there
seems to be no disposition to force the issue.
The recent movement in other cities, however,
Is being watched with considerable interest and
the effect here OF the agitation may cause de-
cided change of policy. The present DISPOSE
ton of both sides is to avoid strike, and the
method OF agitating the question thus far en-
ployed is an evidence that peaceful and ami
cable adjustment is generally desired.
OAK VIEW TO BE suBDvIDEp.
The lawn and grounds about Oak View, the
former country residence of ex- President Cleve-
land is to be divided up into city squares. The
graceful slopes of green grass, extending from
the roadway to the house, is to be scared wi
broad bands Of clay, marking the lines Of the
streets, and the irregularities which, from
another point Of view, are called picturesque,
will be leyeled of to make level building sites.
The house itself will remain untouched, as it is
30 located that the proposed streets will not
interfere with 1t. There will be good deal Of
ground left about the house. The new streets
will conform to those already laid out on Cleve-
land Heights, which ad Joins it on the east.
The latter subdivision has been very much i'm
proved All the streets are bordered with
grass, there are cutters, some brick sidewalks,
and trees planted with boxes shining in all the
glory of fresh coat of white wash. Now that
the grass is growing green, Cleveland Heights
In Its new dress present a very attractive ap-
pearance. and if the Oak View grounds are
made to look as well the locality will not lose
much in picturesaueness because of this
change. The streets continued through Oak
View will give a continuous drive from the
Tenleytown road to Gardiner Hubbards with
its fine villa residence built in the colonial
style. Mr.. +. q. Newlands. who is one of the
new owners OF Oak View, will probably occupy
Oak View a residence this summer.
The plough and the shOyel are doinO What
they can to transform the old Kengla place.
farther south on the road, into a suburban
town site. The same agencies WILL no doubt
be found at work in other places in this local.
ity, and those interested in lots are of the opin-
ion that there will be some houses erected up
that way this season. The tide of travel up
and down the Tenleytown road is always large
in the spring. Every pleasant evening the
road is thronged with carriages and people ON
horseback. They enjoy the view which the
clubs also have their houses in this locality.
and these places are pleasant resorts for MEM
beers and their friends. The road is becom-
ing such popular drive that peo-
pie are saying that it ought to
be widened and improved. SO that
it will be splendid boulevard. Now that the
ground is cheap, that is, cheaper than it
promises to be some years hence. it is q good
time to secure the necessary land, and people
who use the road for drive intend to call the
attention OF the proper authorities to this mat
ter.
TIE PARTY WALL QUESTION.
1t is proposed to make a test case and deter
mine the soundness Of the conclusion reached
by the assistant attorney for the District that
the right to erect party wall is an easement
that goes with the land. Whether man has a
right to build an individual wall or il obliged
to build party wall is an important question.
but its practical bearing on building operations
IN this city is comparatively slight. The reason
is that very few buildings are erected with indi-
vidual walls. The privileges conferred by the