Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-25
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Effect of the Proposed Changes in
the Building Regulations.
SAFETY as WELL AS SOLIDiTY In view
CIoserConnection Between the City
and the Eastern Suburbs.
SOME IMP VEMENT

are now before the special commission OF
architects and builders for final revision.
1t is the desire of the authorities to make
them complete in every detail and no time
or labor has been spared to completely
cover the field. The building inspector has
received copy of the regulations in force
in the principal cities of the world, and
from these the best features have been
culled to embody in the new regulations
which in the future are to govern the cree
ton of buildings in Washington.
Perhaps the most important feature Of
the new regulations will be a clause pro-
yidng for the protection of workmen from
injury during the construction of build
ing. Temporary floors over the rafters in
each story now provided in the discre
ton of the contractors. In many instances
not even a plank is laid down, and the
workmen obliged to make footway of
the rafters. Scores of laborers have lost
their lives by reason of falls through these
unfinished floors, and the record of acct
dents at the new post office building alone
is startling argument in favor of better
protection. And the new regulations pro-
pose to require suitable floors to protect
the workmen. md impose q heavy fine if
the contractor refuses to comply with the
regulation.
Then there is the light and ventilating
clause, with the object Of insuring to each
new building erected these prime requisites
to health and comfort. Suitable spaces will
lot, which are never to be built upon, thus
insurins light and ventilation for all time
The regulation is also intended to apply
to existing buildings whenever they are
enlarged or added to. --s'r
Some Important Requirements.
A schedule has been prepared and will
form part of the new regulations, giving the
strength of materials required in construc
lions. This is considered of great import
aDce, to insure to new buildings degree of
safety not obtainable under the old regula-
Iions.
1t is the purpose of the commission to
make stringent regulations regarding the
introduction of electric wires into buildings.
Believing they should be fully insulated, as
a protection against fire, the regulations
are made broad enough to include every
thing necessary.
In order to protect the public from fall
ing material during the construction of
building, the new regulations will contain
a proviso that the sidewalk Immediately
in front of the building under construction
>hall be protected by d shed. This regu-
lation was taken from the one in vogue in
New York.
The commission will hold another meet
ing within short time, when it is believed
ihe regulations es proposed will be
adopted and forwarded to the Commits
3ioners for approval
An Important Improvement.
Property owners, especially those who
md on the other side of the Eastern branch.
ere naturally interested in the report made
by the United States army engineer in
sharge of local public works giving an es-
innate of the cost of the erection of
Lridge at or near the foot of South Capitol
street. There yet remains the important
detail in such an enterprise, and that is
the appropriation of money, but it is be-
Yieved by those who are interested in this
and similar efforts to connect more closely
Of ~ rr-it no n1rt1 ing
regions about the city that progress is be-
ing made.
Under the present conditions that sec
ton OF the suburbs is only reached from
the city by a roundabout journey across the
Aracostia bridge and it is believed that by
spanning the river at this point advantage
will accrue to the property owners on both
sides of the river. The Pennsylvania ave-
nue. bridge has been found to be a great
convenience, and it is source of daily
satisfaction to the residents in that local
fly. The progress which has been made of
late years in the development of this whole
region is marked one, and the natural
advantages will, 1t is believed, be much en-
HANGED when, in place of the stretch of
swamp, the reclaimed land along the East
ern branch will constitute a beautiful
park.
Use of Light-CoIored Brick.
Light brick of varying shades is still
popular as building material and its use
is very general for all kinds of structures
whether intended for business or residence
purposes. There is quite a variety of
shades, varying from the pure white to the
dark yellow or brown, and whatever else
may be said of the effects produced 1t must
certainly be conceded that the use of these
bricks affords an opportunity for a change
from the red brick. which has been SO uni
yersally employed here for building pur-
poses. 1t might almost be said that this is
a red brick city, and II Is also acknowl-
edged that for building material there is
nothing superior to the brick which is
made here.
However, variety Is good thing, and
while Washington red brick Is good, stone
is also useful and so is light-colored brick,
in giving variety to architectural forms
and in enabling architects to express their
ideas with more fuency. Building ma
terial OF delicate color seems to be well
adapted to this climate. and looks fresh
and clean even after the lapse of years.
Perhaps after a while, when the smoke
from soft coal is more in evidence than
just at present, the fronts of buildings will
not remain clean for so long a time as is
Few the case.
DIR. NnnninG's Residence.
Plans have been prepared by c. L. Hard
ing, architect. for handsome residence to
be erected for DR.. William P. Manning on
Rhode Island avenue between 18th and 18th
streets. The house will front twenty feet
on the avenue. and will have a depth of
seventy-six feet, and will be four stories
FtSu, With cellar. me front Is 10 De OF
light marble. There will be an oriel pro-
lection from the second floor, terminating
in losgia on the third. The fourth floor
will have mansard front, with two dor
mer windows and tiled roof
The interior finish is to be of a variety Of
hard woods, and hot water heating ap-
paratus will be employed.
On the first floor will be the reception
room and office and operating room, to-
gefher with pantries and the kitchen. The
second floor will contain the parlor and re-
hal ttA mi A.
lers pantry. The third and fourth floors
will be devoted to living apartments. In
all there are to be sixteen rooms, including
laundry and servants chamber in the
basement.
Some improvements.
Joseph Bohm, IT., will build for himself
house on 18th street extended, from plans
prepared by N. T. Haller. architect. 1t will
be 20x2S feet, three stories and cellar and
mansard tile roof The front viii be of light