Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11
Increase in the Number Of Spacious
Business Buildings.
GROWTH OF LOCAL RETAIL INTERESTS
Responsibility Of the Owners Of
Vacant Ground.
SOME NEW Bull D I n G S

Since the doors of the spacious building
Of many stories which is now the home
of the Boston Variety Store, on Market
space, were thrown open to the public the
shoppers have been enjoying the facilities
which such a modern building affords rs
something to which they have been
accustomed. This is literally the case, for
large part of the business now done in
this city is carried on in buildings which
have been built within the past decade or
so or have been remodeled to suit the re-
quirements of modern commercial needs.
The change which has been going on in
this respect has, perhaps, not been noted
by the average shopper, but still it remains
true that in the past dozen years the ex-
pansion of business in this city has been
such as to continually lead to the cree
ton or enlargement of business buildings.
and the structure just erected by Mr.. En-
mons s. Smith, the proprietor of the Boston
Variety Store, is the most recent instance.
Fine Business Buildings.
Formerly there was a good deal said
about people living in Washington who
went to Baltimore and New York TO do
their shopping. 1t is very rare to hear of
such cases now, as those who are in posi-
ton to know say that there is really no
advantage for residents of this city to go
away from home to make purchases The
large buildings which are now scattered
through the business sections of the city
are said to be the equal in every respect OF
the great store buildings found in the prin-
cipal cities Of the country, and that in
their equipment, as we'll as In all the facllf>
ties provided for everyday needs Of bus
mess, they are thoroughly modern.
1t may also be said that the erection of
such buildings have been an improvement
1lkr Ilry lit kN,,f
certainly from the standpoint of the prop
erty holder, as we'll as that of every one
at all interested in the welfare Of the city,
the significance of this marked expansion
in business of the city is found in the story
it reveals Of the growth in population and
the increase in wealth. 1t Is very often
said that Washington is not a business
city, but certainly there is no reason why
the nations capital with any other city in
respect to the character of the retail bust
ness which Is carried on here.
In Front of Vacant Lots.
The recent rains have left unpleasant re-
minders in the shape Of deposits of mud
and dirt on some of the sidewalks of the
city. This Is more especially true where
there are vacant lots. and when the water
washes down the face of the parking and
leaves a deposit of mud on the sidewalks
As is we'll known. there is law which was
especially enacted 10 compel the oWHcIS Va
vacant lots to keep the sidewalks in front
of their lots free from such nuisance.
There is a clause in the statutes provfd-
ing for the removal of snow and Ice from
the sidewalks to the effect that sand.
gravel or other refuse matter that may
fall or be washed on any sidewalk In Wash
ington Georgetown or in any part Of the
District, as the Commissioners may desig-
nate, must be removed by the property
owners. 1t is further provided after a
lapse Of five days from the time the Dis
trict authorities have given the property
owner notice of such a nuisance the &C.
cumulation is to be removed by the Dis
trict, and the cost assessed as tax
against the property and collected by the
collector of taxes.
Charged to the Property.
1t Is stated that the usual procedure Is.
when complaint comes in either from
citizens or from the police that the side
walk IN any particular locality is thus
INSTRUCTED. an inspector from the spe-
cIal assessment division is sent out to In
vestigate the matter and to make re-
port. II it IL found that the sidewalk is
covered with dirt to any extent. the owner