Evening star., 1898-04-16
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
One Phase Of the Situation in the
Event of War.
GOOD CONSTRUCTION AND RENTS
National Organization Of Architects
to Locate Permanently Here.
ERECTION OF BUILDINGS

Hotel men and others cay that Just at
this time there is an unusually large num-
Der of visitors in the city. The hotels are
crowded. and 1t Is not an uncommon ex-
pertence Of people reaching a hotel at
night to be told there is no room, and to be
obliged to go in search of sleeping quarters.
1t has been the custom for a good many
years past for excursion parties as well
as general visitors to come to this city in
the spring Of the year, and, of course, this
year has proved to be no exception.
On the contrary. 1t is thought the throng
Of strangers who are mere sightseers is
increased by those who have come here on
account of the war preparations. Some
are here to be spectators Of the proceed
ings Of Congress and to be in closer touch
with the men who are actors in events
which are likely to be historical, and then
there Is another class who are drawn to
the nations capital by business arising
from the need of the government for sup
plies Of various kinds.
Eject I'm This City.
In the event of actual hostilities it is
believed this latter class would be largely
augmented and that there will be a great
porary population of the city. Looked at
from purely business standpoint, 1t is
the opinion of many that a war would
result in a benefit for the time at least 10
this city. 1t is thought a stimulus would
be given to business in all branches in
consequence Of the large sums of money
tfat would be placed in circulation.
1t Is believed even real estate would be
benefited, and that q good many houses
that are now vacant would be occupied and
that the rents would go up, and probably
there would be demand for additional
selfish way of looking at the present crisis
in national affairs, yet it is not meant
to imply that any portion of the residents
of Washington desire war from any such
motive.
Good Building and Rents.
The connection between good const-uc-
ton in houses and rents is not one that is
apparent to every one. but a good many
people seem to think 1t is a close one. 1t
looks very much as II there was some
relation between the two when the owner
of one house finds 1t necessary to reduce
the rent while his neighbor continues TO
get the same rental. 1t is believed that
the explanation of this apparent anomaly
lies in the difference between the constrlc-
tion of the two houses.
One of the houses will be found on ex-
animation to be in rundown condition,
which is not due alone to the lack Of mi 1or
repairs, but to a general deterioration of
the entire structure. On the contrary. the
other house. 1t is probable, will be in as
good condition as when erected-foors
sound and even, the window frames in their
original places and the walls as good as
new.
Difference in Houses.
AS a result, tie occupants of the house
are not obliged to burn twice the required
amount of fuel in order to warm the cur
rents of air which find their way through
the openings about the windows and under
the doors. Such house does not have
the appearance Of old age, and with a lit
tie papering and painting presents as
good an appearance as a new house. I'm
der these circumstances it is thought 1t
is not difficult to know why the owner is
able to get a good rental, while his neigh
Dor. who has put up cheap structure tfat
is practically a sham, finds that he must
ask low price to secure tenant
1t may be considered simply bad bLsi-
ness for people who build as an invest
ment to adopt cheap construction. but there
Is another term to characterize a man Of
means who builds a house of this kind for
his own use. 1t may be inferred that he
wants to convince people he has spent more
money than is actually the case when he
substitutes the sham for the real in order
to cheaper the cost of construction. 1t is,
of course, not believed that man ought
to spend more money than he can afford
in building house, but, at the same time,
If lie has not the money to pay for the
genuine article he ought not to pretend
he has by substituting an imitation. Some
houses that, owing to the location and
general appearance, would seem to be cost
ly structures are to large extent mere
pretenses, and a few years service is apt
to demonstrate that fact.
Headquarters of Architects.
As soon as the contemplated improve
ments in the old Octagon House, at the
northeast corner of 18th street and New
York avelue northwest. are completed
the headquarters of the American In
stitute of Architects will be removed
from New York city. A lease has been Sc
cured for five years, and 1t Is the purpose
to make this old house, which is one Of
the historic buildings in the city, a home
for the architects of the country when they
visit this city. AS stated In The Star at
the time. 1t was decided at the annual
meeting of the institute, which was held
in the beginning of the year, to establish
the headquarters Of the organization In
this city. There Is chapter of the lnsti-
tute here, as the local organization of
architects is called. and in addition a large
number Of the members of the profession
resident In this city are connected with
tiiC HiOondi DOOy <AS dTCnlteCtS ITOm All
parts OF the country constitute the men-
bership Of the American institute, which
has on its rolls 46O names, the selection Of
this city as the permanent Headquarters
may be looked upon as another of the
many indications which point to this city
as the appropriate home of national organ
izations.
A committee. composed of Frank Mills
Day and Wilson Eyre of Philadelphia and
Robert Stead of this city selected the Oc-
tagon House as the headquarters, and this
selection was approved by the directors
The house will l1nd Itself admirably to
the proposed scheme of Improvement and
decoration. as 1t is a substantial building
1t was designed in the early years of the
present century as the home of Col John
Tayloe. who was one Of the wealthiest
men In this section of the country. Here
President Madison lived after the White
House was burnt by the British, and the
spacious halls and rooms still give an i'm
preston of generous living in spite Of the
dilapidation of time and neglect 1t is the
purpose to make all alterations harmonize
with the style OF the house and when re-
fitted III will still ho pnrlo 90