Evening star., 1898-05-14
Suggestions as to the Site of the Pro-
posed Masonic Temple.
A PROVISION FOR BACK YARDS
Prevailing Rates of interest for
Loans in Realty.
SOME NEW BUILDIN G. S

| L
money had been realized for the building
| fund of the proposed temple. there has been
considerable talk in regard to the selec-
/ ton of a site. 1t is stated, however that
| 1t will be impossible to close up the busi-
| ness of the late fair until the early part
| of next month, and so a final report will
not be made to the incorporators of the
| proposed Masonic Temple until that time.
| 1t is then expected the latter body will
| take up the matter of the choice of a site,
| but in the meantime considerable specula-
ton is being indulged in as to the location
| of the proposed building. A number of prop
ositions have already been made to individ-
| ual members of the incorporation, but, of
| course, no official action has been taken
| 1t has been represented that it would be
desirable to select a site in the general To-
| cality west of 18th street and south of
Pennsylvania avenue for the reason that
probably a larger amount of ground can
| be bought. for the same money in that To-
cality than some others that have been
mentioned.
Street Railroad Facilities.
1t is also urged that the Capital Traction
Railroad Company will, when authorized
by the passage of the pending bill, build
road through that section which will prac-
tically be a part of the main line. In that
event II is claimed that locality will be
easily accessible from all parts of the city.
Another locality mentioned is the one at
the southwest corner of 14th and l streets,
and also some regard with favor the
church property on f street between 9th
and Ith streets. with the adjoining prop
erty. which extends to 9th street.
1t is announced that the Commissioners
have under consideration an amendment to
the regulations governing the subdivision of
suburban land, which in effect will provide
u n a hn civ
feet in width or less than sixty feet in
derth. If this action is taken, it will be in
harmony with the existing building regula-
ticn which prescribes the minimum 'front.'
age of houses in the city and also provides
that there shall be certain area Of land
reserved in the rear.
Light and Air for Dwellings,.
Both regulations are designed to correct
the tendency especially noticeable in the
erection of houses for speculative purposes,
Of squeezing as many buildings possible
on subdivisions of land without regard to
the health of the prospective occupants
whether there IS sufficient provision for
light and air. 1t used to be the case and
to some extent 1t is still true that corner
lets were purchased and a row of houses
built on the long side. necessarily very
shallow, and a result practically having
no space in the rear so that when i'm
proVement is made on the adjoining lot
the back windows of the houses are within
i short distance of blank wall. The Dis
trict Commissioners came to the conclusion
some time ago that in this climate especial
ly close building was not conducive TO
health, and hence the law which requires
the reservation of a space in the rear of
every house.
Loans on Real Estate.
AS an Indication of the substantial char
acter Of real estate as investment in
this city 1t may be stated that money is
now loaned and has been for some time
rast at as low rate as Az per cent Such
loans are what are known as "gilt-edged,"
and are generally ON business property and
at less than 30 per cent valuation of the
property. A good deal of money of this
kind comes from institutions in other cities
which have money to loan.
Money at such rates, however can be
procured In this city as well at the rate
OF D per cent. Loans on real estate how
ever, are still made at 6 per cent and If
may be said that it is not possible always
to secure loans at a lower figure than the
rate last mentioned
Mrs. Cross Residence
A lot at the southeast corner of Bancroft
street and Phelps place, Connecticut Ave-
nue. Heights, has been purchased by Mrs
Virginia Cross. 1t has a frontage of 40
feet on Bancroft street. 1t is the purpose
or Mrs Cross to build a handsome house on
inns sue ana pianS are now being prepared
by Hornblower and Marshall, architects
on the opposite corner is the fine residence
OF Mr.. Jesse b. Wilson.
A Street Railway Station,
Work will be begun early next week by
the metropolitan Railway Company in the
eiection OF a passenger station building
near the intersection of 32d street and
Dumbarton avenue West Washington.
The plans for the building which were
Drawn by Mr.. A. p Clark, jr., and under
whose superintendent the work will he
carried on, contemplate the erection of a
most mos commodieus structure. The building,
Will have frontage of % feet with
depth of "a feet six inches "
Ihe entire front of the structure from
the granite sill course up and reveaIs nf
aichway ly and all sides Of front chimneys
ABOVE the first coping will be faced with
dark gray mottled brick, with nodded and
ornamental brick to match. The waitfnr
room will be u by 30 feet and will he s fir.
10 iaiieu et IN ,q9artered oak The ceiling will be
ing room will be toilet rooms. caretaLar,.
room, etc. The station will be lighted wifi,
electricity. Will
Two Handsome Houses.
Dr. Elmer Sotheron's old residence AZ
1921 street northwest, is being demolishas,
TO make room for a handsome EneIsh
basement house. While the lot is onlv civ
Teen ieet Wloe, the architect, Mr. w. r
HOOD, has Designed for this space a house of
eleven good-size rooms. without countins =
cellar under thu entire house and wide
stair hall across the house from basement
TO the Sd floor, and bath room and psntrv
There Will not be dark place in the h,;iS
ing, and the effect Of narrowness will be
lost by the arrangement of the plan.
The front will be Dutch with coIonio,
facing, the materials being light buff dress
ed stone to basement. and above dark
brown almost black Roman brick laid IN
white mortar trimmed with stone. The roof
WIN be red the; making a very harmonious.
but striking and original color scheme
The Same architect has lust broken
ground for colonial house for Mr.. Arthmr
Keith. The house is to bs an English hase-
ment also with a broad colonial stairway.
from the basement leading to the -larre
central hall in center OF house. The eys
terror viii be old colonial brick laid in
Flemish bond with white mortar. and a
plain slate roof pitching back with dorners
in front and rear. The entrance will be
protected by a small porch in classic treaf
ment, surmounted with flower balcony.
Tho building will be on Goth street inst
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