Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-16

REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Various Rumors About Some Of
the Suburban Railroads.
TALK OF A GREAT COMBINATION
A Reviving Interest in Property
in the Country.
SOME ROVEMENTS
S ON IMP ROVEMENTS

S O M E ROVEMENTS
Suburban railroads play such an import
ant part In the development of the suburbs
and have such a large influence on the
value OF property that more than ordinary
interest ID attached to the rumors that
have been flying around the past week rel
alive to the future of several of the SUBJ
urban electric roads. Much of the talk is
due to the apparent mystery which sur
rounds the purposes of those who recently
purchased the controlling interest in the
Georgetown and Tenleytown railroad It is
generally understood that the purchase
was made in the interest of large cleo
trical concern, and the general theory that
seems to be held by the gossips is that this
investment is only the prelude, as it were.
to a series Of investments or combinations,
One Of the stories is to the effect that an
effort will be made to erect large power
house which will furnish the motive power
for the Georgetown and Tenleytown, the
ROCK Creek and the Brightwood railroad
companies. 1t is said that by such an ar
rangement the operating expenses Of all
the roads would be much lessened. In this
connection refer ,nce is made to the bin
passed at the last session of Congress-
which authorized the Rock Creek Railroad
lease
and intersecting lines. Authority was given
the company to increase the capital stock
TO secure the necessary money, and also to
change the name Of the company to the
Capital Traction Company.
While there has been no definite state
ment as to the steps to be taken which
Will enable the company to utilize the
PRIVILEGES conferred by this law. the
current gossip of the street rather broadly
intimates that the Philadelphia Traction
Company, which is regarded as the owner
of the Belt line railroad. may be induced
to part with its holding in that road. In
support of this theory 1t is pointed out
that the acquisition of the Belt lire would
give desired city connection.
Combination of Suburban Roads.
The other railroad holding in this city OF
the Philadelphia capitalists is the Ecking-
ton road, but, according to the same au-
| thority, this property will be retained as
it will afford the city connection for the
Baltimore and Washington electric road
if that road should ever be built. 1t is
ried through. and that in addition. there
will be a road built Connecting this city
with Baltimore via Ellicott City.
Whatever Developments the future may
have 1t Is quite certain that Just at pres
ent there is very general impression among
those who are supposed to keep posted that
events are working toward a combination
OF the suburban roads. There are several
indications which are cited as pointing to
that end. In the first place, 1t is claimed
that such move will result in a more
profitable operation of the roads, and IN
the second place. there would follow
unity of action, which would be of great
advantage in bringing about more favor
able relations with the city roads.
Owing to the difficulty IN securing from
Congress the right of way over city streets,
the suburban roads terminate as a rule at
the boundary Of the city. Until quite re-
Gently they have been unable to make or
IN
rangements with the city roads: they have
been obliged to leave their patrons at the
bounds of the city. to pay another fare in
order to reach the business center. A few
weeks ago the representatives of the city
and suburban roads got together and
agreed upon transfer arrangement, but
effect.
It seems highly probable to. those IA
miliar with railroad matters that there
will be some attempt to make a change in
will take, as indicated above, is still un-
certain. 1t has not been developed as yet
exactly what influence the change in the
MANAGEMENT In the Georgetown and Ten
leytown road Will have on .he general sit
uation. When the policy Of the new owners
Is more fully known 1t will perhaps be pos
sibie to predict with more certainty what
will be the outcome Of the present rather
complicated situation.
As to Suburban Property.
the spring season. there is more or less in
terest displayed in suburban property The
spring is recognized as the proper season
for such holdings to be prominent in the
market There is more interest taken in
the country by the public at this time of
the year than at any other People like to
visit the suburbs. and whether they have
any more serious purpose in view than
merely the recreation of the day, it is
NO fho1a fr1,a hat flaa nf
toward the country increases. Those who
have property to sell, therefore, find peo-
pie willing to listen and also to personally
inspect. Various improvements are also
begun at this season, and while there is
none of any magnitude contemplated just
at this time still there are number Of
what may be regarded as minor enter
prfses. which form altogether quite a chain
of activity. In this way the suburbs, both
in point of attractiveness and of comfort,
gain each year additional advantages as a
place of residence
The Building Record.
The building inspectors record for the
past week, ending yesterday, shows that
fourteen permits were taken out for the
erection of new buildings, aggregating in
cost s66 466 For structures in the north
west section six permits were issued call
ing for an outlay of $4,000, and in the
county eight permits, to cost 81. 166.
Some improvements.
Henry Schneider intends to erect three
two-story and basement dwellings at 1929
to 1893 4th street northwest, each 17.6x33
feet. They will cost $4,000.
permit has been granted F. B. Pyle to
construct five dwellings at 1914 1-2 to 1922
wallach street northwest. They will be Of
brick, three stories in height, 145x3i feet,
and are to cost SIT, 800.
At an outlay of $500 E. ]. Newton will
build three-story and basement brick
dwelling, 35x22.S feet, at 1890 K street
northwest. N. T. Halter is the architect
and George w. Newton the builder.
]. B. Wilson has planned to put up q
three-story brick dwelling at 2145 Leroy
place, Connecticut Avenue Heights, to
cost $4,000. The structure, which is to
be 43x54 feet will be heated by steam or
hot air. The architect is James G. Hill
and the builder Charles Edmonston.