Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-26

N$tNO thought, to finish the
assessment of property
in the county by the list of the month. The per-
sonnet of the new board has been highly COM
mended and the appointments seem to give
general satisfaction. While there has been as
yet no general plan Of action adopted by the
new board, yet it seems TO be understood that
the board will grant hearings to citizens who
may desire to appear in person and give the
board the benefit Of their views rs to the value
of their own property or of that which they rep
resent. As all the property in the District has
been so recently viewed" by the old board Ii
will not be necessary for the new assessors to
go out Of the Office to examine property except
in rare cases.
THEY HAVE TIE DATA.
There is in the Office at their command all
the data collected by their predecessors, and
their principal work will be, as stated In the
law, ito revise and equalize the assessment"
1t is not to be expected that the results Of
their work will satisfy everybody, but no doubt
that point will be attained as nearly as is posi-
BILE by mere men. The rule adopted by the old
board to value property at what it would bring
at a forced sale under adverse circumstances
was generally looked upon as q good basis upon
which to rest taxable values The objection on
the part OF taxpayers was to the application of
this principle and not to the principle itself
For 1t seems that there can be considerable
difference of opinion as to the value of property
in the event it is forced upon An unwilling mar
ket for that is the meaning Of q sale under ad-
verse circumstances.
THE EXPANDING CITY.
A striking illustration Of the growth Of the
city is found in the building which is being
erected at the northwest corner Of l4th and
Park streets. Citizens who cannot as vet prop
cla9sed bab 20
account OF their advanced years may recall the
fact that a short time ago this location was out
In the country on 14th street extended near
the suburban settlement of Mt. Pleasant
Geographically this description still holds good,
but the surroundings have SO changed that it
is practically new region. The new building
referred to above shows that. II is a good
sized structure. the upper portion Of which is
designed as an apartment house and the lower
floor for stores. 1t is stated that the apart
ments or flats in this building have already
been leased. As buildings of this character
are supposed to be especially adapted for the
crowded sections of city it would be a fair
Inference that this section of the suburbs is
closely built up. While this is not the case
just at present yet it is evident from this and
other indications that the population is rapidly
pushing outside of the present urban limts
1t Is not uncommon to find in the suburbs rows
OF houses closely built up in the same style as
prevails in the city. The cable road and other
hines OF rapid communication have had an in
fuence in this direction, but still after all the
main cause is the growth of the city.
TO IMPROVE TEE BUILDING INSPECTION.
The comments made by the building in
spector on the communication recently sent to
the District Commissioners by three represent
ative organizations in this city, composed of
architects, fire underwriters and builders, are
criticised by some who are interested in the
changes proposed in the present system Of in
speeding buildings. They claim that there Is
no wish on the part of the chapter of architects
to have the work of planning buildings erected
by the District. which is now done in the Office
OF the building inspector, turned over to private
architects. The only purpose in proposing
to limit the duties Of the inspector and
his assistants to the inspection OF new
structures was because the inspector had
constantly claimed that owing to this extra
work he was unable to perform his other du-
ties as thoroughly as otherwise he might do
1t is further thought that the building in
spector looks upon the suggestions made as a
ersonal attack upon himself rather than as is
actually tie case, that they are in the line of
making the Office more efficient and in the in
terests OF better inspection and more rigid
enforcement Of the building regulations 1t
is probable that the Commissioners will be
asked to give the representatives of the i'm
portant organizations which united in making
these recommendations a hearing in order that
clear understanding of the situation may be
reached. 1t is believed that when the parties
are brought together that the building in
spector and the petitioners will be found to be
OF one mind as to the importance of a more
thorough supervision of the building operations
OF this city.
ONE MANS EXPERIENCE.
The experience Of a man who has been sue
cessful In real estate ventures is always of in
terest. Other investors sometimes get valua-
BILE hints which they utilize. Perhaps in real
estate operations more than in any other kind
of business the old rule is observed Of follow
the leader" People are apt to rush in where
they see others investing. The initiative faculty
Is largely developed in the average real estate
buyer. The other day man was talking about
some ventures in which he had been successful
He adopted the plan of buying land on the
edge OF an improving section, or at least one
that seemed to him as likely to be in that
category before very long. His purchases in
Guided several pieces in that general locality
Then when the rise came he sold at a reason
able advance and instead of reinvesting at
once in unimproved land he built houses on the
land which he still held. In this way he eaid
he was benefited twice by the advance in
values. First in the appreciation of the land
and second in the demand for houses
now TO BUY.
Perhaps the question that will naturally occur
is how the conclusion is reached that any par
ticular section is likely to improve within a
reasonable time. There are as many answers
to this question as there are investors. II the
special direction of what is called a boom was
generally known there would be no good reason
why every one should not make money except
perhaps through lack of faith. There are
chances to be taken in determining upon tho
character and the locality for real estate invest
ments. Generally speaking judgment does not
play as important part as some would have us
believe. There are signs indicating the imme-
diate future Of property which are tolerably
easy to read. But when the problem is to read
the future then one mans Judgment is apt to
be as good as another. OF course reference is
made entirely to speculative buying. In this
city purchase can be made in almost any To-
cality either in the city or the suburbs with
the assurance that the property win advance in
value within a reasonable time. In the past
faith more than judgment has been the measure
OF success in real estate ventures. The same
virtue is demanded today 1t is pretty safe to
bank on the future prosperity OF the city.
THE RECORD OF THE WEEK.
The cold weather has had a depreciating ef-
feet upon the building Of houses. and the Of
fee Of the inspector of buildings was not kept
very busy during the week ending yesterday,
summary Of the work done during that time
shows that there were 50 permits issued for
new buildings at an aggregated cost Of $50, 900
This amount was divided among the several
sections as follows: Northwest, permits, al0,-
100; northeast. IL permits, e3l 500; southeast,
permits, &45O0. and county, III permits A34 .