Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-18
BUILDING PROSPECTS
Talks Of the Architects to Star Re-
porters. -.
A Very Geaeral Expectation of Better
Times-LOOking for Prosperity
With Mckinley.

In yesterdays Star interviews were print
ed with a number of Washington archi-
tects in regard to the effect of the election
of Mckinley on the building interests. The
discussion Of the same topic is continued by
the following in the course of interviews
with Star reporters:
Robert 1. Flcming.
Robert /. Fleming said that no doubt
confidence had been restored owing to The
election of Mckinley, and as q result
money was available for investment. To
get the actual investment made, he said,
especially in real estate, would require
time. 1t would be necessary for investors
to have an opportunity to look around for
suitable building sites and then time would
be required to complete plans for propos ID
buildings. He therefore did not look for
an immediate renewal of activity, but be-
ueVed that by next spring ething
would be done. He was confident that with
the incoming administration an era Of
prosperity for the District would be begun
that would be unparalleled in the history
or the nations capital
H. A. Campbell.
H. A Campbell said that he had prepared
plans for three houses the erection of
which would be begun this week Work on
them. he said has been postponed On &C.
count of the election uncertainty. He said
that he had other work in view which he
expected would be carried out in the
spring.
Waddy u. Wood.
Waddy B. Wood said that as far as he
was concerned he found no special differ
ence since the election. He believed, how
ever, from the fact that money was now
easier business would be more active. He
thoIght mat the tendency would now be to
erect Tor owners houses of medium size
especially IN good residence sections of the
city. He thought that there was a demand
TOT small houses i'll good localities.
J. q. Hill.
J. e. Hill said that while clients were not
falling over each other to bring him BUSH
hess, there was certainly good feeling in
the air since the election that was bound
to result in business improvement. So far
as his own business was concerned. he said
he had 80 far received but one order that
might be attributed to the result of the
election. Although not sure OF it, he be-
lleved that the order would not have be,n
MADE IL the election had turned out differ
ently. 1t was his impression that much ,f
the building operations in contempla ton
would have been indefinitely deferred if the
other political party had won.
W. j. Marsh.
W. J. Marsh said he did not anticipate
any immediate revival in the building bust
Tess, mainly because this was not the sea-
son or the year for the Inauguration of
such work. He believed, however thar
there would be revival in the spring. when
the regular building season began In such
matters ne said, people generally hold off
until the eleventh hour, and then expect
plans to be prepared in two or three weeks
when they should have allowed at least six
weeks for the work. Mr.. Marsh said he
thought the change of administration would
help the building interests of Washington
as a great many wealthy men would I'M
doubleday settle here.
Paul J. Peln.
Paul J. Pelz. the architect and designer.
takes cheerful view of the future of next
seasons building business. He expects
there will be a revival. especially in the
case of the best class of dwellings and later
on In business houses, and expresses the
hope that home architects will hereafter
receive more consideration from newcomers
TO this city. L am aware Of the fact" he
said, that OR architects are looked upon
In the light of local practitioners, and are
not given the sway and opportunities which
New York and Boston men enjoy: vet
Washington architects are much better ac-
duoiheeu tHdn outSlOerS with climatic con-
ditlons and the social life and habits which
50 greatly influence the plan of a house at
the national capital. l do not expect a
boom, but think there will be a gradual
lmproveme mt In proportion as people re-
cover from their ante-election scare Such
Improvement will naturally be slow like
cOnvaleScence after a disease"
Mr.. PelZ stated that during last summer
ne was invited to take part in a limited
comPetltlor Tor a large church edifce in
tfls city. the congregation of which is COM
posed mainly of solid business men. The
time Tor handing in plans was fixed for
september l last, but for some reason was
extended to the 1st of October. Before that
tlme arrived. word was passed that owing
TO the precarious condition Of the political
me whole affair was Indefinitely postponed
1t was understood. said Mr.. Pelz, that If
tne right man was elected the enterprise
Nould certainly proceed. On the 4th of
November the competing architects were
notlhed to hand in their drawings by the
l':th OF this month. and this was done.
MI. Pelz has observed other signs of a
business revival. On the 4th of November
ne was approached about resuming consid
eration OF fine improvement on a large
scaie on a property not many thousand
ieet from the White House, for which he
nad prepared plans last season and had
Untained estimates. This scheme will most
likely now he taken in hand again Mr.
PelZ has also prepared sketches for a large
addition for a leading retail store in tbis
city since the election, and he attrihntas
tElS order to the feeling of Increased cone
dence In financial circles on account of tba
result of the election VI 'Ne