Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-04

Az 'ensuTe anu loses Is inclined TO be retlceut
on the subject, but when he makes big hit
then he wants everybody to know it. On this
account it Is common experience to hear Of
prohts, but it is only occasionally that the de-
taiis OF losing investment become known.
Ihere are, however, q class Of investments
winch are distinguished by reason of their oc-
| cupying q midway position between large profits
and pronounced loss An instance camo up
the other day in the course of conversation.
man was speaking of lot he
had recently sold after owning it for four years.
Inc price which he obtained was an advance
OF ~ per cent ever what he had paid for it.
he had figured up the actual cost OF the lot to
MIN, including the taxes and the commission
pala the broker for selling. He found that
with these amounts deducted that his profit was
represented by sum which was about equal
to per cent for four years upon the
original amount invested. While this was
not spoken Of as golden investment, still it
was considered to be q very good one, as
the property had paid him an interest Of about
s per cent and at the same time he had the
benefit Of the chance of the property appre-
Chatting in value TO a greater extent than was
actually the case. If the appreciation had
been 90 or 60 per cent instead of 30 he would
have had the per cent interest and in addition
the increase in values. From this point If
view the investor looked upon the purchase If
the lot as better investment than an ordinary
6 Per cent loan, Four years ago he paid for
the lot % per foot. He sold it for s2.6O
per foot. In the case Of cheaper property the
advance in values is apt to be greater, and then,
OF course, the interest does not reach such large
figures. Some investors will not buy unim-
proved property. They prefer to make an in
vestment that yields an income sufficient at
least to meet the expense of carrying the prop
erty. While in some respects this is the most
satisfactory form, yet the advantages in the
opinion OF others are balanced by the greater
difficulty which is experienced in selling I'M
proved property as compared with unimproved
property. 1t is maintained that the market tor
improved property is slower than that for I'M
improved, other things being equal. Fortu-
nately in this city investors can take their
choice, and from the constant transfers Of both
classes of property that are being made it is
evident that the market is large enough for the
practical demonstration of the merits of both
kinds OF investment.
THEY MIGHT LOOK BETTER.
If the erection of tall buildings is an indjca-
ton Of the prosperity OF the community, as
seems to be the opinion in some cities, WASH
ington is rapidly taking rank as one of the
fourishing cities of the country. These
buildings are now mainly confined to the bust
ness sections of the city, and the tiers CT
stories are used for Office purposes. There are
a few examples of large apartment buildings,
and there is no doubt that the number Of build
ings OF this class will increase with the growth
OF the population. Tall buildings they are
now built do not improve the artistic appear
ance Of the city from the esthetic point of
view much as they impress the visitor with
the Importance OF the business interests.
These structures could accomplish 10th
would consider that the lofty walls
can be seen from the sides and rear as well as
from the from. Handsome wallis CT brick and
stone adorn tho street fronts. but the side
walls are constructed a rule of common
brick, with no attempt at design. The cornice
abruptly stops at the front and it is evident
that the completeness of the architectural
design is made to depend upon the chance of
the owner of the adjoining property erecting
building OF the same height. The chance,
not improved in that way and in
consequence the bare. ugly walls remain a
promineEs feature OF the architecture Of the
city. This defect could be remedied to q large
extent by carrying the cornice along the side
walls and using the black or red mortar which
is employed in laying the front walls. The ad-
ditional expense would be slight, and when the
improved appearance of the building IL consid-
cred the few dollars that are expended would
be considered wise use Of money.
APARTMENT HOUSES.
There is a good deal being done now in the
way of remodeling buildings in the business
sections, so as to make them more available for
business purposes. The upper stories when not
intended for some commercial purpose are, as
rule, designed for Office use. But in some Sec
tons which are at present a little outside the
business centers there is no demand for office
rooms. The upper floors are then arranged in
suites of apartments which are intended for the
use OF those who desire to have their homes near
their places Of business. The increase in the
number Of apartment or fiat buildings is one of
the features in the development Of the
eai tn he a nd To-
quarters Of this character, as the rents are less
than is asked for houses in the same locality,
while the accommodations offered are quite
equal tc those Of a small house. As the bust
ness sections of the city become more densely
populated there is no doubt but that the num-
Der OF apartment houses will increase.
THE BOSTON STORE ADDITION.
Another addition is being made to the ex-
tensive building now occupied by the Boston
store at 18th and F streets. The old building
fronting on 18th street and adjoining the main
store building has been taken down and plans
have been prepared by the architect, Mr. Jas
G. Hill, for a building which will be six stories
in height. When this addition. is completed the
18th st. frontage to the line of the orphan asylum
property will be solidly built UP. With the
ample frontages on F street and on 10Th street
the Boston store, merely from the standpoint
of area of land covered can he compared with
any Of the great business places which are
found in the large cities of the country.
THE DESIGN OF THE CITY POST OFFICE
Now that the title to the square of land OPP
posite THE STAR Office has been acquired by
the government there is naturally great in
terest manifested to know the character of the
design Of the building which will be erected
from plans prepared in the Office of the super
vising architect Of the treasury. This building,
both from its location and from the fact that
it will be the home Of the city post Office. will
be one OF the most important structures
| ever erected in this city. With the ex-
| ception Of the court house it will be the
first building Of Importance ever erected
here for purely municipal or local uses. The
Offices of the city government have always oc-
cupied rented buildings, except during the
| period when they shared with the courts the
accommodations Of the court house. Congress
| has made it possible by liberal appropriation
to erect fine building, and it remains to be
| seen whether this will be done The concep-
| tion OF a suitable design for such an important
| building is, speaking generally, beyond the
| ability OF mere draughtsman, and while there
| are no doubt men of talent in the Office of the
supervising architect, yet the result will pre-
| sumabiy be more satisfactory il the supervis-
| ing architect will be able to give his personal
| attention to the designing and planning Of the
building.
Results Of Yesterdays Racing.
At Brighton Beach: First race, six furlongs-
| Gold Step, l; Sir Launcelot. 2; Blanche, 8.
| Time, 1.17N. Second race, seven furlongs-
\