Evening star., 1897-04-03
Washington as a Resort for Wealthy
Americans.
GROWING YEARLY MORE ATTRACTIVE
Some Notable Improvements Pro-
jected for This Season.
B RICKS A ND RITA r

Inc many SOCldl ana Otner dttfaCtlOuS OF
Washington are causing 1t to develop as a
home for the wealthy from all parts of the
country to a degree not realized by people
who have given but slight attention to the
growth of the city. There has been con-
stant talk for many years about the neces-
sity for adding to the greatness and growth
of the capital city by the Introduction of
various business enterprises. 1t has been
argued that more is required to make a
great city than the mere fact that it is the
seat of government. The splendid advan-
tages afforded by the immense power that
could be generated at the Great Falls of
the Potomac has frequently been dwelt
upon a means for the introduc ton OF
manufacturing here.
Whatever the future may have in store
for the capital manufacturing and
commercial center its position the great
social well political center of the
country is now assured. The Industries OF
the city have made 1t, according to the
last census. the eighteenth largest manu-
featuring center in the country, but far
greater Importance Is gained by the city
because it's social and other attractions
have drawn millions of dollars of wealth
here. and is giving employment tC thou
sands of people who otherwise would be
obliged to seek elsewhere for a means of
support. This social feature Is the result
of the attractions that are afforded by the
capital of a great country which brings
here large numbers of men of extreme
wealth. men who are famed for their high
standing In the social, political and pro-
fessional world, who find in Washington
city congeniality which other commun-
ity in the world affords. A residence here
gives them an opportunity to meet bright
men and women from every nation on the
face of the globe. 1t allows them to come
into contact with all the political leaders
ard to watch those interesting develop
ments of government which take place IN
capital city, especially during the sessions
of the national legislative bodies. They
have access here to one of the grandest
libraries in the world, which is now housed
in the most magnificent palace OF marble
that has ever been constructed as nome
for books.
residence here allows them to enjoy a
magnificent climate with open winters, the
city now being free from all those sources
of malaria which in former years existed
because of the Potomac fats. They have
an opportunity to enjoy daily most beaut1-
| full drives about the city The great mu-
scum and other collections of interesting
relics and specimens of mans handiwork
| In all ages are here for the use of the
4 student. Great universities are rapidly be-
| ing built up.
There seems to be nothing wanting to
make Washington city splendid place OF
residence for the wealthy classes of the
country whose leisure and resources per-
nit them to cultivate the refinements OF
| the city has so many attractions. its pow
er CT development along the lines it is now
following seems to be unlimited There are
| many improvements of engineering already
| projected, and which in few years Will
| be realized to greatly add to the attrac-
| ton of the city. All the collections of the
! government and those beautifying features
| of the capital that the wonder of all
| who see them constantly being added
| to, and when the full development of which
| the city is capable is reached 1t is hard to
| imagine its magnificence.
| 1t is a realization of all these advantages
| of the capital by people all over the coun-
| try that Is giving rise to the most pros
| porous condition that any city can enjoy.
| 1t is making the city the permanent resort
| for people of wealth and leisure. 1t re-
| suits in the building by those who come
| here of magnificent homes Men are con-
| stantly taking up their residence here
| whose expenditures are from $4,000 per
| annum upward. and the coming OF each of
| them to the city means an addition to the
| population by the trade they bring and by
the number of people they directly employ,
| amounting to dozens, and in some cases
| hundreds. The presence OF this rich ele-
| ment in the city is being yearly seen by the
| character of goods displayed In the stores
| Of the city. The demand for the very finest
| in every character of article Is being real
| iZed by the merchants.
| Every year adds to the Importance Of the
| city. and to the number of wealthy and
| distinguished men and women who come
l mere 10 ENJOY It's SOcidl anu tuuCdllOIldl ttu
| vantages.
| Since the Inauguration of President Nc
| kinley real estate in the District of Co
| lumbia has shown a tendency to stiffen In
| price, although sales have not been very
| numerous. There are few sacrifices. Any
one who scans the columns of auction sales
that are daily printed in The Star might
imagine that great quantities of property
| are being sacrificed at auction. The fact is
that comparatively few of the houses ad-
vertised TO be sold under deeds of trust are
actually disposed of. The owners. indiffer-
ent to threats of foreclosure when they
fail to pay the interest on loans, generally
manage in some way or other to make a
satisfactory settlement when their property
is about to go under the auctioneer's ham
mer. The demand for desirable houses Is
rather better now than ii has been since
the several years of hard times from which
the country has suffered set in. Inquiries
| for property show that people are begin
ming to realize that times are improving
| and that prices will increase. and that they
should make their investments while they
| can do SO at ruling prices.
F. Street Real Estate.
The sale OF F street property at public
| auction is rare event and the notice tha
| premises 62J + street would be so disposed
of yesterday afternoon called out a goodl.
| number OF investors and real estate men
| The bidding was lively and the property
was knocked down to W. V. r. Berry fol
$500. which is about S. per square foot
| The lot has frontage of twenty-five fee
and five inches. and depth of 121 fee
| two and one-half inches. making a tota
| of 3.UI5 square feet. An old-style three
story brick dwelling. used as an offic,
! building, Is on the lot.
While ST foot Is not a large price TO
the above property, the active bidding ant
large number of investors at the sal
showed lively interest on the part of pur
chaSers.
John W. Thompson has transferred t
John W. Foster lots IL and 53, In Sher
mans subdivision, square 15S. being OF
Massachusetts avenue between 18th an,
18th streets northwest The consideration
was sl6.l69.sl. The price per square foo
for this property was $50, the lot being q
by lsD feet and unin.provkd. This price
no indication of the value of property o.
Massachusetts avenue. as the sale wa
merely for the purpose of disposing of NJ,
| TEompsOn's half interest in the lot, whic
had been held jointly for number of years
e knnn a sons Improvement.
S. kann, Sons & Co. have leased of
p. and M. jtrasberger part of lot s. squar
! 49,. adjoining their store on Market space
= for a periOd of eight wears with prfyileg