Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-19
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Summer Aspect Of the Question of
Trees in Business Streets.
ALLEGED COIEY INFLUENCE ON VALUES
The Proposed Issue Of Bonds for
Public Improvements.
A WOMAN'S CLUB HOUSE

About this time of the year people who
are rather stalwart in opposition to a line
of shade trees on business streets are not
apt to be quite so rampant as when the
sunny side of the street is the favorite
promenade. When the rays Of the sun be-
come powerful. shade trees, as an institu-
ton. are regarded, to put II mildly, with
lenient eyes. There is more talk about
trees. there is more consideration given TO
this subject by the average citizen during
the hot weather than any other period of
the year, and it would seem that It would
be the part of wisdom for the advocates of
a system of trees along the business streets
to agitate the matter during the summer.
Not long ago some one suggested that shade
trees be planted along Pennsylvania avenue.
and some of the trees on the lower part OF
the avenue that had become, in the opinion
of the authorities. undesirable We're re-
placed by others. 1t was claimed that this
new species OF tree was especially adapted
for business streets and the proposition was
made that the tree planting should be con-
tinued along the entire length of the ave-
nue..
A very decided chorus of objections arose
and 1t was asserted that. in the first place
trees were not suited for business streets
that they were not needed there and that
they fnterfered with business, darkened the
store windows and prevented the public
from reading the signs of the merchants
and gazing upon the attractions of the show
windows. Nothing further has been done
in the premises, and Pennsylvania avenue
is not adorned by any arborial additions.
The grateful shade which trees now in their
full LEAKAGE afford and the protection from
the glare and heat of the sun is so thor
oughly appreciated that If now the move
ment should be renewed 1t is quite likely
that those who raised their voices against
trees would speak more tenderly. and per-
haps their opposition would not be quite so
pronounced.
COxey and Real Estate.
1t has been asserted in some quarters
that the presence in this city of the Coxey
army was decided injury TO the interests
OF the city. especially the real estate inter-
ests. The statement has been made, with
some show of confidence, that capitalists
living elsewhere have recently refused TO
loan money on Washington property al
leging as reason the location here of Mr..
Coxey and his commonwealers 1t is not
known whether these extremely cautious
naanciers have been asked to place their
money here since the army" changed its
camp. II such an application has been
made and granted, II Is quite possible that
no one will hear OF IL, because statements
that are likely to injure either persons or
property travel great deal faster than
those which are beneficial 1t is probable
snat II s9ch timid money lender exists in
fact and not In Imagination he would
still object to the loan, on the ground that
Mr.. Coxey was only four or five miles
from the city. and II this should prove 10
be the case IL will be necessary TO estab- |
fish new rules for making loans.
Instead Of inspecting the particular prop
erty upon which il is desired to borrow |
money and note It's surroundings. as is the
custom. IT would be necessary to take a |
sort of census of the city, TO inquire into |
the morals of the community and compile |
the figures Of the arrests made by the po- |
lice. II is more than probable however |
that no one who has the money TO loan or |
who wanted to lend money made any such |
statement. Or. II It was made, then IL
was merely one OF the many excuses which |
are common in the experience OF some who |
try to get loan.
The Woman I'm Clubdom
The increase in the wealth and the popu-
lation of the city, Is indicated by the mul-
tiplication Of social clubs and their pros
perity, has frequently been referred to in
this column. AS is well known several of
the leading clubs own property In the best
section of the city. and they figure largely
as taxpayers. 1t is not generally known
that there is club formed exclusively
H.
ington Club. They occupy rented rooms.
but they have a more ambitious view and
committee Of the club is now engaged in
looking up suitable building. which IL is
the intention TO purchase. This club like
other similar organizations does not have
its doors wide open for the public and so
II is not in evidence exactly what the
sources OF revenue are, but It is clear that
the revenue is all right, and so is the
general management of the club as the
intention TO enter the ranks of the property
holders is sufficient proof.
Show Rather Than Use.
The increase in the value Of land In this
city has resulted in the decrease of the
size of building lots to a considerable ex-
tent. In the more recently built up sec
tons of the city. whereathe surveyor has
had a chance to chop up the squares, into
as small sections as the law will permit.
back yards are somewhat of scarcity
The necessity for these appendages TO a
city house does not seem to exist any longer
or, at any rate, people have learned TO get
along without them. Wherf the clothes
are dried and the other dome tic onera tions |
are carried on and where the children nlay
perhaps the neighbors know, but certainly
II Is not apparent to the casual visitor
1t Is no doubt considered of vastly more
Importance that house should have a
stone front than that IL should have an
ample back yard. II this was not the case
the stone fronts would not be so numerous
III tne mooern mousse ana the back Yards
so scarce. By stone fronts is meant all the
items OF expenditure in the construction of
house which are designed more for show
than anything else. A brick front and iron
steps and vestibule plainly papered and
'front.' door made of pine and filled with
plain glass are a sufficient and ample pro-
lection from the weather, and the difference
In the cost of such features as COMPARED
with what is generally seen NOWADAYS
would allow for back yard.
There is another thing about the use of
ground in the erection OF houses and that
is the attempts which people often make
to steal light and air from their neighbors
This is done by crowding the house down
the full depth of the lot, leaving a slight
area on one side. into which the windows
look. The area, however, IL the adjoining
house was built up in the same manner
would be entirely too narrow TO furnish
the needed light and air, but the owner
relies on the chance of his next-door neigh
Dor not building over his entire lot Such
calculations are very frequently disappoint-
ed, and the loss falls on the person who
made the venture
The Proposed Bond ISSUE
The recommendation recently made 10
Congress by the District Commissioners
that an issue of $4,000 of 3 per cent
District bonds be authorized, in order TO
carry out certain lines of public improve
ents, has created considerable talk The
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