The times., 1898-12-04
BETTER HOUSES DESIRED.
Shoddy Construction Resented
by the People.
OPINION OF AN ARCHITECT
Buiidins News of the week-Plans
of the Portner Flats Annex-Amer-
cnn Dairy Company's Rig Build
Ing sunday School Edificc for
Union NJ. Z. Church.

Union NJ. Z. Church.
People of intelligence said a prominent
architect TO Times reporter few days ago,
.'are demanding much better class of houses
than heretofore. Every year they become better
acquainted with what is good, and more positive
in their discrimination against poor work.
There should be a substantial nducement
for owners TO put up good class of houses. To
exemplify: The owners Of adjoining lots of like
area may build houses OF an identical size, and to
outward view with apparent difference 0ae
of tIese will cost, say $4,000. The next house
IS OF mere solid construction, possibly ireproof,
and costs the owner 100000. BY the methods of
assessment that obtain the holder of the
better building pays about so per cent more taxes
than his neighbor. The annual revenues the
same nom both yet the cheaper house is a much
more profitable investment.
This is not il should he. The solution OF
the problem lies with the District board of
assessors"
In this conLectiun il is interesting to note the
methods OF certain local institution that every
year lends large sums for building purposes. Be
fore the prospective borrowers can get dollar
from the institution in question he must furnish
gether with full set of the specifications to he
followed in the construction. These are carefully
examined and unes, the materials to be used are
of the best he can gel no loan, matter how
good the security offered.
The records Of the District Building Inspectors
Office just now present a peculiar condition of
building operations. During the month Of Noyem
Der past, not a permit was issued for the e:ection
of a residence in the northwest section. 4
close examination of the books and duplicate per-
mits. preserved at the District Building. failed
10 show single operation of this class. There
were many repairs and engagements made stables
and stores built, and apartment houses in
eluied in The improvements made in that part Of
the city, but not one dwelling other than the
two last named.
In addition TO the building operations described
in The Times yesterday afternoon. the following
may be noted.
William :. Watts has had plans prepared by
Architects Muett & Co. for apartment house
TO be erected at the southeast corner OF Twenty
first ard l. Streets northwest II is TO be three
stories and cellar A by 9j feet, with front of red
press brick and Euclid sandstone octagonal bay
window, tiled baths. heat, electric fixtures.
etc. Melton d Watts have the coatract at go.
John sherman will build two more fine frame
cottages at Cleveland Park. They are to be
thee stories and cellar and two stories and cell
lar and will cost 5000 and - 600 respectively.
They will have porches, bays. furnaces. baths,
sanitary plumbing, and all urban appliances.
Robert Head is the architect.
The American Dairy Company. the organization
composed OF New York capitalists which aims TO
nontrol the District milk business, has completed
the purrhsse Of almost a whole square of ground
adjoining the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad at First and Y Streets northeast. The
new building for the cnpany, mentioned here
tofoge in The Times for which Architect y. I.
Halter mas finished plans. will be commenced
without delay. The proposed structure is to be
four sioriss and basement, 30 by lsG feet in
extent. 1t is TO have an attractive front of buff
brick, terra Gotta and granite, while four huge
stone columns will support broad pediment
The huilding is estimated 10 cost, exclusive Of
mechanical equipment $4,000 Tire latter will
figure up $1,000 and will con=ist of steam power
and electric lighting plants. ice making and re-
frigeratng machines, elevators and freight lifts.
cream and milk condensers and cheese and butter
making mechanism. The water supply will be
had from number OF artesian wells. \ fire.
proof itabe, two stories, 20 by 125 feet will
also be built at a cost o. $4,000. 1t is calculated
that the horses. wagons and other rolling stock
viii be worth $4,000
Architects Canere and Hastings Of New York,
Who planned the renovation of Mrs Scott Town
sends residence. No. % Lafayette Square. will
draw tie plans for the magnificent mansion which
La
at the corner OF Massachusetts and Florida
Avenues.
The Heinrich Brewing Company will put up a
large fireproof stable at the corner of Twenty
fifth and Streets. It's to be two stories 90
by 1l3 feet. with fipped slate roof. All the best
stable appliances will be used. Architect A. p.
Clark. ir.. mad the plans.
Nine contractors submitted bids to the District
| Commissioners for the construction OF the iso-
lated building for contagious diseases be erect
ed at Providence Hospital. ". f. Speir was the
Lowest at s22.s .sl7 and ss2, 4SO.
Union NJ. Z. Church in Twentieth Street, near
| Pennsylvania Avenue. is to be enlarged by the
erection of a Sunday school building in the rear.
new font with stained glass will be put up.
These changes viii cost $1,000.
Architect George T. Cooper has planned eight
| two-story and basement dwellings to he built
| at First and Streets northwest, for George J.
May,
The Capital Construction Company will soor
| commence TO build the central or second section
| Of the Portner Apartment House, at the corne,
Of Fifteenth and Streets, heretofore described
| in The Times. Architect c. A. Didden is now
engaged on the plans. In architectural style and
| character of construction the extension will cor
! respond TO the present building except that the
| central portion is 10 be much more elaborate
| in style. and will be more attractive on account
OF its lavish ornamcntation. The new building i.
TO be stories and basement lis feet frontage
| and lO6 feet deep Roman brick and terra cotta
| of graded shades will be used on the front in
| connection with cbasteiy carved red sand stone
The building is to be alb olutely freproof. heated
by steam, lighted by gas and electricity, ant
| provided with gas ranges and other modern fix
| tIies.
| A-paroiy.
From the New York Tribune.)
| Mad MuiIah on a winters day