Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-08
Depressing Effects Of the Prevailing
Silver Agitation.
BUILDING OPERATIONS VERY DULL
Expectant Interest in the Forthcom-
ing New Regulations.
WHAT THEY WILL PROVIDE

The prevailing depression in business cir
| cles. due to the agitation of the money
question and the Introduction of the coun-
try's financial policy into the political cam
paign as Its leading ISSUE is being felt to
very considerable degree in real estate
circles in Washington. as in other cities,
and 30 far as building operations are con-
cerned. they have been brought almost to
a standstill The chief reason for this con-
dition may be found 1t Is believed, in the
fact that nearly all contracts now being
made are drawn so as to include q clause
providing that the money considerations
named therein must be paid in gold. Ow-
Ing to the doubt existing as to the ability
on the part Of interested parties to meet
these demands when such contracts are
concluded, there Is general hesitancy about
incurring such important obligations.
The record Of the building inspectors Of
flee for the past two weeks shows a re-
markable falling Off in the number OF
building permits issued as compared with
corresponding periods In preceding years,
and the class of buildings to be erected I'M
der them are OF a moderate character, and
evidently being built by persons who will
use them for homes. No speculative build
ing seems to be contemplated. despite the
well-known fact that there is a great and
growing demand among people OF limited
means for small houses, equipped with
modern conve niences. at small rentals.
The completion Of the electric under
ground system on the Metropolitan road
has inspired a good demand for houses in
Georgetown and in the northwest part of
the city proper, which sections are now
brought into more rapid communication
with the business centerS. These localities
were always favorably looked upon by
residence hunters, but the horse cars did
not move fast enough to suit persons who
would have otherwise found satisfactory
hNy,
has been removed, and many houses long
vacant in the sections mentioned are being
rapidly tenanted.
The New Building Regulations.
Architects and builders are anxiously
awaiting the coming of the new building
regulations. These regulations, which
were compiled by committee appointed by
the Commissioners, were submitted to the
Commissioners for final enactment some
weeks ago. Commissioner Truesdell who
has direct charge of all building matters.
took charge of the matter and has devoted
considerable time already to them. The
Commissioners propose to give this subject
careful consideration before finally adopt
ing set of new regulations and the field
is being gone over with the sole purpose of
giving Washington a set of regulations
second to none in the country. All Of the
leading features Of the regulations of
other large cities have been incorporated
in these new regulations. and many para
graphs have been culled from foreign
building regulations.
Provisions to He Included.
Provisions for light and ventilation, pro-
lection Of workmen. limits Of projections,
protection Of pedestrians from falling de-
bris, safety Of buildings, with special refer
ence to the carrying capacity of walls, and
materials-all these have been carefully
considered and will form part of the new
regulations Buildings will be divided into
two classes, and fire-proof structures will
be fire proof in all that the name implies
Special attention has been paid to founda-
tons. and these will be made to conform
to the most approved plans.
It is expected that the new regulat lions
will be ready by the time the fall business
begins.