Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17
Steady Increase in Values as Shown
by Official Figures.
REVENUE FROM TEE TAX ON REALTY
Growth Of the City Beyond the
Original Municipal Limits.
SOME IMPROV ENTS


SCISSOR of the District 1t is easy to reach
the conclusion that real estate forms the
most important source of the District rev.
enue That, however, is a well-known fact
and has especial bearing on the pres
ent standing of realty as a form of in
-vestment. The fact is that relatively the
real estate tax has always occupied about
the same position among the various
sources of District revenue.
A comparative statement, however, of the
gradual increase in the amounts derived
from this tax affords some illustration of
the great advance which has been made
in the value of the ground and of the i'm
provements.
In this connection it is Interesting to note
that in the last fifteen years the assessed
value of real estate in the District has
more than doubled. In the year 1855 the
total assessed valuation was about $751;
100000. and this year the assessment reach
ed the large valuation of about S130,OOO,o00
1t, of course, follows that the revenue
from this source has within the same time
more than doubled. In 1880, for example
the revenue derived by the District from
the tax on real estate amounted to ST..
$4,000. In 1880 1t amounted to 81, 100000
The upward march being continued, for
1880 the revenue from this source was rep
resented by the figures $2O64,OOO. For the
year 1896 the District received s2,SS3O00.
Material Prosperity.
To accomplish this result it has been nee
essary not only that land values should
have appreciated during the period named
but that improvements have been made
representing a large outlay of money. In
other words, these figures are to certain
extent an index of the material progress
and prosperity of the District. Those VINO
are familiar with the history Of the Dis
confident 1e g.
and half will show an equally good rec
ord. While 1t is true that during the past
two or three years, in common with the
rest of the country, the strinsency of the
times has had a depressing effect on in
vestmcnts in real estate. there is no ques-
ton that with the coming of better times
the value of Washington realty as an in
vestment will be recognized as fully as II
has in the past, and that the money be
longing to local investors, well as that
from the outside, will be generously in
vested, and new era of prosperity will
be begun.
Expansion of the City.
During the past week the District au-
thorities gave directions for curbing Con.
necticut avenue extended from the west
end Of Rock creek bridge to the entrance
to the Geological Park and beyond to Mil
waukee street. Provision was also made
for laying a brick sidewalk on the east
side of the street for the same distance.
While that order appeared briefly in the
usual daily bulletin issued by the District
Commissioners, 1t has more than an or
binary significance, owing to the fact that
1t represents a forward step in the move
ment which has been in progress for some
years. and which Is to result in extending
the city practically over the entire District
The city has long since gone beyond the
bounds which were laid down in the plan
of the city prepared by LEnfant and ap.
proved by Gen. Washington more than a
hundred years ago. 1t is recognized now
that the city lines are identical with those
of the District, and that the sixty-six
square miles comprised within the Distric,
OF Columbia are in fact the city of WASH
ington.
Some improvements.
Plans have been completed by G. P, New.
ton, architect, for block of seven dwell
trgs, to be erected at 1865 to 1877 Emer.
son street northwest. The houses will be
constructed of hard brick, with stone trim.
mings, and will each have a frontage of
16 feet, depth of 81 feet, and will have
heNagonal bay windows.
A three-Story and basement dwelling will
be erected for Martha w. Smith at 222C
Washington circle northwest, from plans
prepared by w. ]. Palmer, architect. The
material used will be press brick, and the
feet.
A parsonage for the Mount Zion Metho-
dist Episcopal Church will be erected at
1902 o street northwest. The building is tc
be 2ox32 feet In dimensions. and will be
three stories In height, with cellar The
front will be constructed of press brick
and the whole structure will be equipped
with electric lights.
Two brick stores will be built at $40 and
CAB HI street northeast for Sam'l G. Parker
They will each be 17x10O feet, two stories
in height and will be constructed of press
brick. e'S