Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08
Fire-Proof Construction Coming Into
More General Use.
WHERE LARGE CHURCHES ARELOCATEO
Selection of Sites for Public Build
ings South Of Pennsylvania Ave.
SOME IMPROV EMEN T S


purposes, may be said to be now the feat
ire of the erection of buildings of this
class in this city. This is not merely an
effort to protect property from destruction
by fire, but it is found that such con-
struction is really more economical in high
class work than the old-fashioned style of
stone or brick walls with timbers support
Ing the floors. Now that steel is enter
ing SO largely into use as a building ma
terial great saving is effected, not only
in space, but in the quantity of material
used.
The frame of such a building is made
of steel beams, which are riveted together,
and not only is strength secured, but the
walls occupy a remarkably small amount
of space, especially in comparison with
those Of equal strength built either Of
stone or brick. The brick or stone work in
steel construction is simply used to fill up
the openings to keep out the wind and rain,
and ADDS nothing to the security of the
structure. When in addition to this frame
work the floors are built of steel beams
filled in with brick or terra Gotta. then it
is supposed the perfection of fire-proot
construction has been reached. In build
ingS of comparatively small size, and eSpe-
cially those used for resident purposes. the
builder does not, as rule, use this class
Of materi it not being considered es-
sential as in the case of large buildings.
and then it adds TO the cost.
For Private Houses.
1t is said however, that in the erection
of private houses where the reduction in
every item of expense is not deemed i'm
portant this system is being largely follow
ed. OF course it is not necessary to always
adopt the steel frame, as walls of brick
and stone are sufficient, but it is getting to
be more and more the practice to make
the floors in private residences fire proof
by using only steel beams and Orders ana
Killing the spaces in with arches of brick
or terra Gotta. In the case of inside houses
of ordinary height, it is said that this style
of construction does not add very mate
rally to the cost.
In some houses the principal staircase is
made of fre-proof material, while the con-
struction of the balance of the house is
IN the ordinary style. Reference was
a private house which Messrs HornbloWer
Y Marshall, architects, were erecting on
nth street just north of l street. In that
instance the staircase from the entrance
halfway as far as the parlor floor is built
OF brick and has an iron railing, while the
walls and ceiling Of the hall are of brick.
Location of Some Zig Churches.
The plan which has been talked of for
some time past to erect a new church edi-
flee for the New York Avenue Presby-
terrain Church, either on the present site.
which is at the intersection of II street
with New York avenue, or else on some
site farther to the northwest has called at
tentlon to the general locality in which the
church now stands, and especially to the
territory between 18th street and 18th street
and + and H streets. 1t is pointed out
that In this section of the city are located
number of the largest churches in the
city. Beginning at the eastern end of this
strip of territory, there is the Calvary Bap-
tist Church, then there is the fine large edi-
nee Whlcn Is being erected for the use Of
the Washington Hebrew Congregation, next
the First Congregational Church, then St.
Patrick's Catholic Church, Epiphany Epis-
copal Church, Foundry M. E. Church and
the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church. 1t is claimed by those who are
familiar with the religious statistics of the
city that these congregations are the lare-
est in point of numbers Of their respective
denominations and are also the leading
churches in this particular in the city.
Sites for Public buildings.
Property owners, as well as others, were
naturally interested in the recommended
tions made in the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury to Congress favoring the
use Of the reservation at the intersection
of Ohio avenue and Louisiana avenue be-
tween 10th and 10Th streets northwest as
a site for the proposed hall of records.
This ground is now owned by the govern
ment, and while the general locality is
looked upon as a proper one for the Ioca-
ton of such a building, yet it is thought
this selection Is continuation of a bad
policy that has been followed for some
years past of occupying the public reserva-
tons of the city as sites for public build
ings.
1t is thought that as the number of acres
reserved for the public has been diminish
for mn he Of fo
call a halt. 1t is said that it would be
much better for the government to buy a
suitable site in the general locality south
of Pennsylvania avenue and between 9th
ing could be erected. Then as the needs
arise and sites are purchased in this same
section for other public buildings In the
course Of time the reservation on Ohio ave-
rue between 10th and 18th streets would be
found to be highly desirable.
As to Rear Fences.
Mr.. Joseph c. Hornblower is complet-
ing handsome residence on Hillyer ave-
nue. near 21st street, and one of the details
Of what is going to prove a very desirable
home is the style of fence which has been
erected between the alley and the yard in
the rear Of the house. This may seem a
very insignificant detail, but there are sew
eral advantages which give it some i'm
portance. The usual practice is to inclose
the ground in the rear of a house with
board fence, giving a contracted outlook
from the rear windows, which at the best
in the city is not spacious. Then when the
lot is on the south side of the street a tight
fence keeps out the sun, and as a result in
the winter certain section of the yard is
covered with ice and snow. It
Is thought that If this plan was more gen.
orally adopted and the rear fences as well
as party fences were built in an open fash
ion the view from the back windows of
houses would be more attractive.
Some New Buildings,
A number of houses have recently been
erected in Cleveland Park Another house
is to be erected there on Newark street
from plans prepared by Robert Head, archi-
tect. 1t will be two stories In height, 80 by
81 feet, and wood and stone will be used
in the construction. There will be balconies
and bay windows. and the house will be
lighted by electricity.
The same architect has prepared plans
for an addition to the Infants Summer
Home at Berwyn, Md. 1t Is to be three
stories in height and 40 by 45 feet
A row Of seven dwellings is to be erected
in Cook Park, Georgetown. from plans
prepared by c. L. Harding. architect The
houses will be two stories in heigh., with
fronts of pressed brick and light stone
A residence 10 to be built on 10th street