Evening star., 1896-09-12
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Street Railway Extension and the
Effect on Property.
INFLUENCE ON SUBURBAN GROWTH
The Bicycle as Factor in Appre-
ciation of Realty Values.
som E IMP ROV E MEN T S

At this time of the year railroad officials
are apt to be making plans in regard to
future extensions of the roads. OF course
In this city, where Congress acts as the
common council, all changes in street
railroad charter must be obtained from the
national legislature. OF late years, espe-
cially since the great movement toward the
suburbs began, the requests for the exten-
sion of street railway lines have been of
two kinds First, for additional trackage
within the city limits, and, second, the
right Of way over roads in the suburbs. 1t
may be regarded as rather a curious fact
that while there is generally opposition on
the part of the residents streets within
the city limits to the occupation of these
streets by car tracks there is sometimes
actual competition en- ,he part of suburban
property holders to secure the privilege of
having the car rails laid on certain streets.
1t happens in this way that while an ap-
plication to Congress for additional track
age facilities within the city On the part of
street railroad companies brings forth Pc
triton and remonstrances from citizens, a
demand for suburban extensions or even
new lines develops but very little opposi-
ton.
1t is expected ttat the future will wit
ness continued increase in the street rail-
road facilities of the city and suburbs. This
is ore of the natural results of the steady
growth of population which has been char
acteristic of the material life of the city
for q number of years past. In some cases
railroads have been built in anticipation of
a popula zion. and in other cases they have
followed the population. There are sec
tions of the city and of the suburbs which
Illustrate both of these phases or street
railway Development
Effect on Prices.
Of Of ha
street railroads of the city always has
tendency to initiate prices, and during the
lest session of Congress, when the Capital
Traction Company and the Metropolitan
railroad were both striving for extensions.
property values along such proposed lines
were greatly enhanced Improvements fol-
low street car lines. That has become
tTuisrn, AID when arguments are made for
charters the incorporators invariably use
that expression. Some people oppose street
cars as nUisances. The noise Of the car
ard the ringing of the bells annoy, and Pc
titions are circulated to compel the railroad
to keep off some particular street.
Influence of the Bicycle.
The increasing popularity and of the
bicycle has had an Influence nearly
every branch of business, well upon
the social and physical life of the people,
and SO there is no reason why the silent
develcpment of the suburbs. In fact, this
is already believed to be the case and it is
thought that a respectable percentage of
those who in the past two or three years
have sought homes in the suburbs have
done SO keeping in mind the facility
well as the cheapness with which long dis
tances can be traversed by the bicycle
rider.
As the users of the wheel increase In
number. and it Is confidently predicted
that such will be the case, it is fair to pre-
sumo that there will be a reasonable addi-
ton TO the number of suburban home
seekers With the improved facilities for
street railway travel which the residents
of the suburbs to enjoy in increasing
measure year by year and the utilization
OF the bicycle fad. the prospect of contin-
ued growth in the population Of the Sec
ton of the District beyond the city lines
seems to be well assured.
Mileage In the District.
A statement of the total number Of miles
of street cars in operation In the District
has recently been made. It shows that
the citizens enjoy nearly sixty-five miles
OF railroad. There are $3.50 miles of double
track operated and SAT miles of single
track operated. The following table shows
the length of road operated by each COM
pany: Washington and Georgetown 10. 20;
Metropolitan, 1894 g single track; Column
bia, 2S6; lexington and Soldiers Home
$40 u.57 single track; Belt Line, 7.12 q. q,
single track; Rock Creek, 54S: Bright
wood. $50 Q-90 single track; Tennally
town, 4.30; Anacostia and Potomac, $40.
Some improvements.
4 nov church edifice will be built on the
site of the old structure at North Carolina
avenue and Sth street southeast, for the
North Carolina Avenue Methodist Protest
ant Church.
Two two-story brick dwellings will be
erected at 1641 and 1888 4th street north