Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27

-\@N the spring season, ano
x while in thislatitude the
weather rather than the
calendar regulates 'ne
- beginning Of building
.;-;. .,,ar tho comparative quiet Of the
winter. still there is general resumption OF
hr.;ras. about the time the first month
80 ,ha snring season opens. The important
bearing which building operations have upon
!. the real estate market is. of course, generally
, recoonized and it is therefore an encour-
aging sign of the times that already
the daily list Of permits to build
haye begun to lengthen. In fact
the month Of February, which is just closing,
shows a somewhat remarkable record as COM
pared with the same period of last year. Dur
ing February Of 1891 there were about 200 per-
mits issued for new buildings and improve
ments, while during the present month, not
including the three last days, the record shows
that some 2S0 permits were taken out. Not only
does the present month lead in the number of
permits issued, but the value of the improve
ments is greater. Last February the improve
ments made involved an expenditure of S459,-
O0O, whiie this year the aggregate rolls up to
the handsome amount of $3.50, 600. These fig
| ures snow q satisfactory increase compared
with the corresponding period of last year. If the
| same ratio OF increase is maintained through
| out the season the building trades will enjoy
| good year. Independent of other considera-
uons the prosperity of the building trades con-
tributes very materially to the business OF the
city. As was stated in the bulletin of the manu-
| features of the District, recently issued by
the census office, the building trades rank first
| in importance among all the industries of the
\ city The value of the product of these branches
is stated to be about $40, 900. while the
value of the entire product of private manu-
| featuring pursuits here is about S33 600 OOO
fact is also emphasized in this bulletin
which has always been claimed in an unofficial
way, namely, that the average wages paid, the
shorter hours of labor and the term of employ
ment are far in excess of the average in other
sections OF the country.
HIGH-GRADE BUILDING.
While the superior condition Of the building
trades in this city is thus officially asserted
fact is not mentioned which is just as true and
perhaps just as important as any enumerated-
namely, that the grade of work is higher. 1t is
acknowledged by those who are in position to
form competent judgment that the average
house here Is built in a style superior to that
which characterizes house building in other
sections Of the country Perhaps one thing
which contributes to this result is the enforce
ment of the building regulations. In other
cities the code of rules relative to building may
be just as rigid as those in operation here but
owing to the difference in the form Of munich
pal government the enforcement Of such regu-
latlons is not SO strict Not that the execu-
ton of the building regulations here
is by any means faultless but in general their
operation Is more uniform. The best building
contractors complain that people who propose
to build expect to enjoy the advantages which
result In this superior class of work and at the
same time pay no more than they are accus-
toned to expend for building in other sections
Of the country, where different conditions
exist.
THE EASTERN SECTION.
0OOd nrOp0rfiOn of tho INN 30 fo~
which permits have already been issued will be
rapid progress made in building up the vacant
squares in that locality has frequently been
noted, and it is evident that this movement is
still in progress. The transactions in unim-
proved property in this section continues to be
quite feature of the real estate market. Re-
Gently several squares and large blocks Of lots
have changed hands. OF course, it is not the
purpose OF the purchasers in every instance to
improve their holdings, but some of them will,
and the new residences that go up will
add to the value OF the adjoining
land and increase the chances of making that
rapid and profitable turn which nearly all real
estate buyers look forward to. Street improve
ments have contributed toward the activity of
property In the eastern section. has been the
case in other sections while rapid transit on
the street railroads, which is soon to come, will
make that section more accessible to the bust
ness center Of the city than it is at present In
fact rapid transit when it does come NAV be
expected to affect favorably the outlying sec
tlons OF the entire city.
A NEW EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Owing to the generous gift of Miss Sophia
Little the Episcopal residents of Washington
Heights expect soon to have a church edifce
in that locality. Miss Little's gift consists of
flne building site in the rear of the Little
homestead and on the brow of the hill at the
head Of the Woodley lane road at the first turn
after leaving Columbia road. Contributions
have been secured toward building fund and
the interest in this enterprise is so general that
it is expected building operations will be
Of handsome design and it will be an
attractive feature even in that locality
Of fine suburban homes. Since the
Geological Park has been open this
part Of the suburbs has become familiar to a
large number of residents of the city, as one
approach to the park lies through it. More
people visit the animals on Sunday than on
any other day, and when this new church edi-
nee Is finished an opportunity will be pre-
sented, which does not exist at present. for
those SO inclined to attend church.
SENATOR sHERMAN's NEW HOUSE
Senator Sherman expects to erect a more
commodious residence than the one he now
occupies on the ground adjoining on the west
his present home. The two houses which
are now on that site will be removed and in
their place will be built a large double resi-
dence. One Of the houses to be torn down was
the home Of the Senator for many years, and
he left it to 60 into the house which he built
and which he now occupies. Several years
ago he bought the house situated between his
old home and his new home, and he has had
for some time plans under consideration for
this larger home, which will now be carried
out. The location is a fine one, having an out
look on Franklin Square, which is one of the
fine small parks of the city. The new house
will have frontage of fifty feet on street.
and the design, which has been made by Mr.. T.
+. Schneider, architect is attractive in the de-
tails, as well as in the general scheme.
THE NEW HOTEL PROJECT.
1t is stated that the large tract Of land at the
northeast corner Of 10th street and Florida
avenue has been purchased by ex-senator
John B. Henderson from Mr.. waggaman. The
consideration is not given. This tract of land,
which contains some 1875, 900 square feet, was
the one selected for the site of the proposed
hotel. Mr.. 7. E. Roessle, who is Interested in
the hotel enterprise, says that it has been by
no means abandoned. He states that one of
the objects Mr.. Henderson had in view in pur-
chasing the property was to secure it as q
rhrla ,v,a I'd haiti nsvhx h. a.