Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-12

UfSkA III tate dealer. This
I'M HMAHA' however is an annual
ta-tfR< experience which Is
expected about this
time of the year, the
only difference being
mat IL Is beginning a few weeks earlier
enen Is customary. The forwardness of the
season In this respect is attributed 70 the
coming together Of Congress in August in
stead OF In December. People are returning
10 the city several weeks earlier then they
had expected to and those who are not pro-
vided with permanent homes are taking ad-
vantage Of the opportunity to look abou:
and see what is In the market before to
use commercial phrase "the goods are sll
picked over and the best disposed Of
They have certain advantage this year
as compared with preceding years from the
fact that there is said to be a good MANY
houses for rent and for sale. This fact is a
decided benefit to home hunters. as they
have wide range to select from before at
tempting the difficult problem of adjusting
their desires and their tastes to their pocket
search Of a house think that they know
what they want. but nearly everybody who
comes In contact with them soon learn that
they don't However. that fact does not
prevent a choice. although it may delay it.
In this city the variety in style. as well as
for every one If they can only ind It. This
process OF introducing people to houses has
now begun and will continue for several
months now until people are generally set
tied in their winter quarters.
The Market is Strong.
There is a good deal OF building going on
in spite of the financial situation about
which SO much is heard nowadays. II is
expected that the fall season will be quite
an active one in this line although no great
boom is anticipated. There is plenty of
money that is ready for investment as soon
as those who control IL feel that the market
and the general condition OF business Justify
investment Fortunately real estate in this
city has not felt the general depression of
many places. Beyond mere inactivity.
which, speaking generally, has been the
feature of the real estate market for sew
eral months past there has been no change
in this desirable form of investment. Prop
erty has not been forced on the market,
neither has II been offered at a sacrifice.
been for months past. This steadiness of
the realty market, while not unexpected,
is gratifying indication Of the stability of
values and the genuine worth OF property
in this city. It Is due in part to the fact
that there has been In the past no fictitious
values which pass as genuine. until some
time OF trial comes and the bubble is
pricked.
Whatever advance In values has been
made here has been the result, as a rule, Of
substantial Improvement and growth in
the popula tion This city has been growing
steadily and the addition to its population
still continues and is bound to continue.
financial depressions the effect will be
felt the least here and the recovery viii be
| correspondingly rapid.
Renting Public Buildfnes.
Four millions of dollars is a large sum OF
money even when II is considered I'm ref
erenee TO the resources OF a great govern
ment. But that is the amount upon which
ha "a vim N at 10
rate Of per cent per annum in the shape
OF rentals for buildings owned by private
parties in this city. The public buildings
erected for the accommodation OF the ex-
ecutive departments OF the government
some years ago became too small TO pro-
vide room for the expanding clerical force
| and the policy Of renting buildings was tie
gun, which now has reached the proper
tons indicated by the foregoing figures.
Even this enormous annual rental charge
has been kept down by process OF crowd
| ing the clerks in the buildings. 50 that the
| work of the government has been impeded
| and the health OF the employees seriously
| affected. The need for more buildings
forms the burden Of Recommendations IN
the annual reports OF the heals of the va
| rious departments which are repeated year
after year with the quiet energy of de-
! spair, The situation at present is that rev
buildings ought to be erected and in the
meantime additional private buildings
should be leased in order that the unsani-
| tary and dangerous features which always
attend the overcrowding OF buildings be
reduced to a minimum The disaster at the
| old Ford's Theater building last Juna MAY
serve to arouse some degree OF Congress.
sional interest, but IL is doubtful whether
| any intelligent attempt will be made e
| improve a condition OF affairs. which is
each year growing more and more disgrace.
full to the government. as well as detriInen.
| tai to the health and comfort OF the army
OF government employees.
Prices of Building Lots.
During the past week the purchase Of a
lot on Rhode Island avenue between l4tf
| and 18th streets was closed. The owner is
Mr.. James T. Dubois. and he is hay,nr
plans prepared for the erection of a hand
| some house. The lot has a frontage OF
| twenty feet, and the price paid was $4,000
which is at the rate Of IS per square foot
| Recently DR.. Luckett bought a lot on IN.
same square, having about the same III
mansions. The price paid was about IN,
same. The owner intends to cree, a hn,
residence on this site.
New Catholic Church.
| The most important item in the loca
building world this week was the fna
drawing up Of plans for the erection Of q
| new Catholic church building at the cornei
| Of 18th and c streets southeast The new
structure is to cost $4,000. The pastor Of
| the church, Rev. Father ]. r. Matthews
| took out a permit yesterday with the in
spector OF buildings, and work on the new
church Will probably be begun without an,
| delay.
The church is known as st. Benedict's
| and is one of the few colored Catholi,
| churches in the city. The architect of tn,
| new building is John X. Stack OF Balti
| more and the builder owen Donnelly Of
| this city. IL is to be of brick and stone
| 81 by 100 feet, and the plans are very at
| tractive. There is to be steep slate roof
There will be but one tower, and that l6
feet high. with a width OF IA feet inche.
| and a projection of feet.
Mai. Dyes Purchase.
Mai. VIM. Nee. Dye, ex-chief OF police
has purchased tract OF several acres O.
| land on the Tenleytown road and there 4
is stated. Will build a fine residence, which
he will occupy upon his return from Cor,a
His contract with the Corean governmen,
| will expire in about a years time
| Some New Buildings.
| Washington Danenhower has taken out
a permit to build brick dwelling and
| store. 700 street, to cost 81, 400.
Plans have been drawn up for a COM
Portable and attractive 5000 dwelling for
| c. W. Barbour, ZIG South Capitol street
| W. A. Custard is putting up a row OF
brick houses, 3so7-13 n street, TO cost $4,000.
| Denis Mccarthy has let the contract for
| putting up for him twelve two-story frame
houses, 4lst street and BrookVille road.
| The dozen will cost him $1,000 and are ex-