The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-05-10
SUBURBAN PRICES ARE Low

when Compared with Those of other
Cities-Mr. Henry N. Copp's Views.
A HERALD reporter called on Henry N.
Copp at his office, No. zoo Eighth street
northwest, and requested his views on the
present state Of suburban development.
1.-The suburban movement here has scarcely
begun" was Mr. Copp's reply. without
doubt Washington will repeat the history OF
the principal cities of the United States and
have ere long many suburban cities, towns,
and villages within twenty miles. The devel-
opment of our city life is especially favorable
for suburban growth. Government business
is confined to brief period each day, the
great majority of workers are employed be-
tween 8 A. NJ. and P. NJ, and the tendency
in mechanical pursuits is to shorten the hours
of labor. The result is ample opportunity to
cultivates little garden outside the city, to
own horse and COW, and to raise poultry,
fruit, and vegetables. This can be easily ac-
complished on q small salary. Washington
City lots, 20I100, in eligible situations, COM
mand 50 foot or 81 900 for the barelot alone.
In the suburbs this money will buy two or
three lots, each 50x20o, and handsome cot
tage OF seven rooms besides, all payable in
small monthly instalments. The steam-car
fare will be about the same as street-car fare.
There is no excuse for young married people
children amidst healthy, moral surroundings
'Are not prices too high for suburban
lots ?'' asked the reporter.
"On the contrary, they are very low for de-
sirable locations, said Mr., Copp. Compare
them with the prices of lots at equal distances
from Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincin-
natl, st. Louis, and the other large
cities, and you will be surprised at
the very moderate figures at which
suburban lots around Washington are
Sellinp-thraa n
These low prices cannot continue. The Ma
tional Capital is growing at rapid rate, and
its growth is not dependent upon local and
uncertain influences like coal and iron deposits,
natural gas, commerce, or manufactures.
Washington's growth is the nations growth.
Lots in healthy, desirable places will within a
brief period sell for many times their cost"
"What advice would you give young man
about selecting a lot ?n was the last question
of the reporter.
~ would advise everybody to do just as
did, that is, carefully investigate the matter
and take no single individuals opinion, es-
pecially no agents or interested party's ad
vice. Here are the principal points for COM
parison in selecting among the many lots of
fered north, south, east, and west of Wash
ington-frst, and most important, healthful-
ness; second, transportation facilities; third,
local advantages In this latitude and fur
ther south the curse of country existence is
malaria and mosquitoes. To avoid these you
must get away from the sluggish streams of
water around Washington, especially from the
exposed filth of the old canal bed. Every
agent will declare that his particular subdi-
vision is free from malaria and mosquitoes.
The Typographical map prepared by Mr..
Howell and published by the Geological Sur
vey shows where the lowlands are around
Washington. Avoid these lowlands
"Having found where the high and healthy
hills are situated near Washington, next get
the time tables Of the railroads running
thereto. Many people are imposed on by the
statements Of interested parties that railroads
will be built to this, that, and the other point
very soon. These promises have In several
instances been repeated for the past ten or
more years and no railroad facilities yet. The
argument presented is to buy at low prices
now, before the railroad is built, and get the
means cannot afford to take such risks, and
persons OF large means are too wise to do SO.
Among local advantages are churches,
schools, stores, and society. Lots near large
town in a healthy region with excellent rail-
road facilities ought to bring more than lots
that have not these advantages. Some people
buy near little stations with the expectation
that such places will grow into large towns and
their lots become very valuable In consequence.
Some of these small points will doubtless
grow, but Others will not. Which will grow
and which will not is an uncertainty of the
future, something of lottery. Why should
purchasers take chances, when they can buy
near large towns to-day? With these few
hints, young man, you ought to be able to
pick out rich paying investment"
~