Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-10
8 A WORK OF ART. IF THE TERM


IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE CITY.
As A WORK OF ART. IF THE TERM
"A can be used in such connection, the new
cable road is very much admired. There is no
question of the utility in facilitating communi-
cation between distant localities in the city. 1t
is much more agreeable to ride in the cable
cars than behind horses, not only because there
Is no feeling Of wasted time. but also for the
reason that the humane instincts Of the pas
sengers are not constantly appealed TO by sym
pathy with the vretched overworked and over
burdened horses. The space occupied by the
car tracks is clea., and level with the pavement.
thus offering no distractions TO the usual traffic
OF the streets. Altogether the new road. as an
enthusiastic railroad man said the other day.
is as pretty as a picture. No doubt il will prove
rs useful as ii is attractive and will thus present
the happy combination which is not often at
tanned. The only other road in the city that Is
operated without horses is the branch of the
lexington on street and the main line IN
New York avenue and the portion Of the Ten
leytown road along High street, Georgetown.
On the q street line the storage battery cars
are used and this mode OF transportation Is
quite as slightly as the cable road and has the
advantage Of the system of independent cars.
When an accident occurs TO the cable the entire
"h-t step anu 10 chfs CAN be run. NAitS
If all the electricity should leak out of motor or
for any reason it could not be ran the next car
that comes along could pull the disabled car IN
of the track and the traffic of the road would 60
on without interruption. However. the motor
end Of the lexington road does not present a
very neat appearance. as the cars are evidently
too heavy for the tracks, with the result that
the iron rails on each ride in places have sunk
below the level of tine pavement. IL the road
was kept IN better condition this line would
look equally well the cable line. Along
New York avenue and on the High street road
the wires are strung on poles and this fact will
prevent a large number from seeing any beauty
In those roads.
THE UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC SYSTEM.
In the course of a few months new street
car motor will be in use along L street from
18th east to 9TH street. where the Rock Creek
railroad intends to put down underground cleo
trio wires. This system is similar TO the cable
system, as there is a conduit in which the wire
Is carried that conveys the electric current from
the dynamo. An apparatus extending down
from the cars through a SLOT like the grip on q
cable car, conducts the electricity to the motor
in the car, when it is transmitted into power.
The only difference in the two systems il that
in the case of cable cars they are propelled by
being attached to an endless cable put in mo-
ton from central power house. while the under
ground electricwire transmits the electric current
which furnishes the power. The underground
wire street railroad is in successful operation
in Chicago and also in Buda Pesth. Hungary.
1t is far superior to the overhead wire but it ia
more costly. However. owing to the pronounced
sentiment against the trolley wires in the streets
OF cities. the underground wire seems to be the
coming street railroad motor in spite Of the
cost. The experiment that will be made here
by the Rock Greek railroad will be wastched
with good deal Of interest by those interested
In the other railroads. for all of them are look
ing forward to a Charpa their
ANOTHER MOTOR CAR LINE.
The Metropolitan Railroad Company is now
experimenting with a motor car. and every
night or SO after the cars stop running one Of
the new cars, glowing with electric lights. is
started out and makes the round trip before
turning in. Congress, at the last session.
granted this company an extension of one year
to perfect system and equip the road with
some form of rapid transit.
SOME IMPROVEMENT.
The residence of Maj. John NJ. Carson, 1882
Vermont avenue, is to be remodeled and inn
proved from plans prepared by A. b. Muliett &
Co., architects. The dining room will be en-
larged and "a back building erected. The same
architects have drawn plans for a stone-front
house TO be erected on VI street between North
Capitol and LIST streets northwest.
THREE NEW HOUSES.
Another fine Improvement for the northeast
section is to be made on 18th street between q
and H streets. c. A. Didden architect. has
made plans from which n. Whitman will have
built three two-sPry and cellar brick and stone
houses. each containing eight rooms and bath
The fronts are to be Ohio stone to the height of
first story and press brick with Ohio stone
trimmings for the other two stories, with stone
and iron stoop to main entrance. The houses
are 16 feet inches front by so feet Deep in
81, l.. l.,,.1
latrobes and open CRATES and will contain all
the modern improvements, including electric
bells and lighting and handsome cabinet mantels
NEW TOWN ENTERPRISE
Mr.. c. W. Thayer of this city has lust
purchased triangular-shaped piece Of ground
containing between ten and eleven acres ad-
joining Paeonian Springs, Va. which be in
tends to subdivide. Mr.. Thayer has also pur-
chased property at Paeonian Springs settle
ment on the Catoctin mountains in Loudoun
county, Va. forty-fve miles west OF Washing
ton, three miles from Leesburg and in full
view of the Blue Ridge mountains. Paeonian
Springs has had quite boom in the building
line this summer, ten or a dozen houses having
been built there and more are in process Of
erection.
TEN NEW HOUSES.
Architect c. B. keferstein has started the
erection of five two-story and basement brick
dwellings at the northwest corner Of LIST and
streets northeast for Mr. J. Karr The houses
will have ressed brick fronts, with stone trim
mings; viii be heated by furnace and have
electric bells. speaking tnbes, &C., complete.
The dimensions. are 20 by SO feet. Frank L.
Harvey has the contract.
Mr.. Keferstein has also begun the erection Of
five three-story pressed brick dwellings at the
corner of 4th and H streets northeast for Mr. H.
II. Taylor. The houses are to have bay windows
terminating top of second story, and the corner
house to have octagonal tower, with slate roof
and brown-stone trimmings. The first floor
will be four rooms deep. having parior sitting
and dining rooms. with kitchen and pantry
The houses are to have all the modern improve
ments.
RECORD FOR THE WEEK.
The building record for the week shows
slight rally, although the permits taken ont
were in large majority for small houses. For
the first few days the county took the lead. and
IT was thought by the end of the week it would
show the greatest activity. About Wednesday
there a slump and the northeastern section
went booming. Tha southeast followed and
almost caught up, while the northwest came in
at the end Of the week and passed them all,
leaving the southwest almost out of sight. The
figures for the week are as follows: Total per-
mits issued. 90; aggregate cost. S174, $50. This
was divided among the several sections as fol-
lows: Northwest 6 permits. SIS, 400; south