Evening star., 1899-04-01
Progress Of improvements in Various
Sections Of the District.
CHEAPNESS And BAD CONSTRUCTION
Providing Better ABILITIES for Steam
Railroad Terminals.
SOME NEW BUILDING is

the District authorities by the recent re-
port of a committee of the board of public
school trustees the condition of some of
the school buildings recently completed.
According to the conclusion reached by
this committee, the buildings showed not
SO much faulty construction as bad work.
ma nship.
Without passing upon the correctness of
this opinion of the condition of this class
of public buildings, 1t may be said that it
would not be surprising to those who have
noted the character of some of the build
irgs in this city for the past few years if
it should be found that the District has
suffered in much the same way as individ-
uals have from class of contractors who
seemed to come to the front with the hard
times and who undertook to do work at
any price.
AS the custom in the matter of contracts
for public buildings is to award to the low
est bidders, it is thought that under the
circumstances the District may perhaps be
now suffering from having given out con-
tracts at lower figures than is consistent
with the use of first-class material and the
employment of good workmanship. Many
of those who lend money as well those
who furnish material for building have de-
termined to refuse to have dealings with
irresponsible builders. If that is the case
that class will be eliminated in the future
from competitive contract bidding.
Three Dwellings.
Adjoining lots have been purchased by
Charles T. Thompson, Robert L. O'Brien
and Howard n. Thompson on 10Th street
extended, just west of Columbia road. The
property is in the subdivision known as
Clifbourne and the streets have recently
been opened. The plans of the houses are
being prepared by Messrs. Hornblower and
Marshall, architects.
Alleged Railroad Purchases
During the past week a deed transferring
the title to the ground at the northwest
corner of Delaware avenue and F street
northeast was placed on record. This
ground is part of the square where was
located the old Capitol Base Ball Park, and
belonged to Mrs. Gait The name of the
purchaser is given as that of John Phelps
of Baltimore 1t is not known locally Who
he is, but 1t is surmised that this porticn
of the square, as well as that which had
previously been transferred, has been
bought in the interests of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad.
There has been a good deal of conjecture
among those interested in property in this
locality since the first deeds transferring
the title to land in this and in other
squares Were placed on record. AS stated
in The Star at the time. other pieces of
property III lHe immaculate locality nave
also been bought. and while there is no
definite information, it is believed the pur-
chaSes indicate the beginning of a policy on
the part of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road Company to improve the terminal
facilities in this city. 1t is conjectured that
the scheme in its entirety involves the
securing of all the squares of land on each
side of the Baltimore and Ohio tracks from
d street north to G street.
Improved Terminals.
Some time ago large block of land was
purchased in lexington which it was un-
derstood would be utilized by the railroad
company when it had carried out the pro-
posed plan of improving the present method
of bringing its tracks into the city. 1t is
known that the Baltimore and Ohio COM
mands money now more readily than was
the case a short time ago, and 1t is thought
an earnest effort is to be made to provide
those modern and improved facilities which,
1t seems, are conceded to be one of the
great needs in the terminals of that road,
as well as Of the other steam roads run
ming into this city. 1t is believed by some
That there may be a revival of the scheme,
which was partly carried out some years
ago, to build a southern branch from the
Metropolitan line near Linden. Md. to the
Potomac just north of the District line,
with spur down the river to Georgetown.
There is also some talk of a freight yard
being located in Georgetown. but nothing
Is definitely known of these and other
alleged plans.
EnIargins n School Building.
Plans are being prepared by James G.
Hill, architect, for an addition to the old
Gales mansion. in lexington, now occupied
by Prof. Minifee for school purposes. The
addition, like the main building, will be of
frame, and will be three stories in height
and 36xS5 feet. Provision will be made in
the new portion for a chapel, class room
and dormltorieS.
A Hotel Addition.
An addition is to be made to the Dewey
HOTEL building on L street between 18th
and 14th streets. This enlargement plans
for which have been drawn by James G.
Hill, architect. will consist in the extension
of the two wings of the building to the
alley alley In the rear The building has only
been in use for a short time This addi-
t1on Will add considerably to the accommo-
dations
Petworth Cottage.
A cottage is being built by Mr. George
W. f. SwartzeIl on 9Th street above Omaha
street, in Petworth,i from plans prepared
by c. L. Harding, architect. 1t is to be
two stories in height and of pleasing de-
sign. The material used in the construc-
ton Will be wood On the first floor will
be a reception hall, ,parlor and dining room
while on the second floor win be four bed
rooms.
In the TenIeytown negion.
improvements are being made in the
grounds of the country place owned by Mr..
John r. Mclean on the Tenleytown road,
| north of the Woodley road. Changes are
| being made in the old house which is on
the grounds and which is being fitted up
for the residence of MIR. Mclean. For some
years past this property, which was known
as the College Villa, has been in rather
neglected condition. but since 1t has come
into the possession of the present owner
alterations are being made which, while
not elaborate, will make it more attract
| i've feature in that locality.
The old house on the place purchased by
Mr.. Q. T. Crosby. ontthe Loughboro' road
to the west of MIR. McLean's property. is
also being refitted and improved for the
use of the owner
A Row of Five Houses.
FIVE houses are being built on welling
| place, Columbia Heightss between 14th and
| 10th streets from the plans of Marsh &
Peter. architects. They will be three stories
| in height, 20 by 20 feet, and the fronts will
| be built of brick and stone. Az the lots