Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-07
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
The Condition of the Market is Re-
garded as Promising.
DECIDEDLY MORE HOPEFUL FEELING
Proposed Activity in Street Railroad
Development.
CITY AND SU B L r B S
DECIDEDLY MORE HOPEFUL FEELING
CITY AND SU B L r B S

is a prospect that more attention will be
paid to the real estate market than has
been the case during the past few weeks.
The feeling of hopefulness on the part OF
real estate dealers in regard to the future
not only continues, but, If possible. is
stronger than ever. 1t may be said that
the opinion is practically unanimous that
the much talked-ab era of prosperity is
at hand, and during the coming months
there will be more tangible evidence of the
fact.
This opinion is based not mere hopes,
but op the conditions that exist in the
world of business, and especially the pros
pect before those who have money to in
vest. 1t is believed the tendency Of invest
ments will be more and more toward realty,
for the reason that other classes of invest
ment are on the market mainly at high
prices and at a low rate of interest. In the
domain of real estate there Will be an OPP
portunity, it is GAINED, to place money
where 1t Will yield fair income, and in
many instances have speculative value.
This latter phase of the market has its
weight with a large class of investors al
though it is believed that SPECTATORS as
such, have not as yet made their appear
ance. People want to know what property
Will pay at present rentals rather than the
possible price at some future time and il
Is SAID buyers are in evidence. and per
hapS that fact has something to do with
the cheerful views that prevail in regard to
the prospects for real estate.
Street Railroad Developments.
1t is likely the coming year will witness
some marked developments in the street
railway lines of the city. Last year the
equipment of the Capital Traction system
with the underground electric power, was
completed, and legislation was secured
which made possible the formation of an
other large street railroad system. by
bringing together several weak lines
In addition, an important extension was
OBTAINED FOR one of the city roads 1t is
expected during the coming year the plans
winch nave thus been made possible Will
De carried out, and by the close OF the year
there Will not only be in operation another
great railroad system, but important addi-
tiohS VIII De competed which will bring
the city and the suburbs closer together
Improvement in Equipment.
The railroads now under one control, and
which were classed the feeble companies
of the city, are to be provided with modern
equipment. The replacing of these run
down roads with first-class lines will be in
Itself distinct public good.
Perhaps the most significant feature of
the changes that are to be brought about
IN the course OF the coming year VIII be the
enlargement Of the faculties of communlca-
ton between the city and Its suburbs The
proposed extension of the Columbia rail-
road VIII be eastward along the Benu.ng
road to the District line, whiIe the CITY ana
supulpan road, when completed, Will eX-
tend from the heart of the city along the
nne OF Rhode Island avenue extended TO
bef"yh' Mo, a distance of eight miles.
Large Area of the Suburbs.
1t is also announced the Georgetown and
Ienleytown road is to be extended to Rock
vile, SO that it will be seen that those who
manage the street railroads of the city APP
preciate the Importance of furnishing con-
nections between the urban sections and
the suburbs, and it will be further per
celVed that the suburbs are not confined
merely to the District of Columbia but IN
clude also a large area of Aaryland AS is
Wen known, the adjoining sections of Vir-
gina are already Joined to the Dlstrict INV
trolley lines, which run to Mount Vernon
and also to Falls Church
II is the belief the railroad expansion
winch is to be made during the present
year Is to meet the legitimate demands of
the population in and about the CITY and that
1t is not based on any speculative notions
about the future growth and deyelopmenr
OF the city. That the latter is to continme
sn ~ mas IN the past and perhaps with
greater impetus, no one doubts who is at
all familiar with local conditions II IS e1rt
ueht that from this standpoint alone the
prospects Tor good business conditions dur
ing the year are especially bright
building Lines on Narrow Streets
An important measure to property own
49, "eN~' tAiS JIG recently passed by Com
gress, providing for the establishment of
building lines on streets or parts of streets
less than ninety feet wide in the District
OF Columbia. The Commissioners are an
thorlzed to widen streets of this character
upon the petition of one-half of the owners
OF property along the proposed street. or
Wheh IN the opinion of the Commissioners
the public health, comfort or convenience
requires that such building lines be es-
tapllshed The law provides for condemna-
tlon proceedings to determine the damages
OF property to owners in cases where the
commissioners direct such change to be
made.
The Commissioners are further empower
eo whenever they deem it desirable in the
interest of economy to permit buildings ev-
istlng at the time said building lines are
established, and wrdch project beyond said
hnes, to remain until such time as the
owners of the buildings desire to recon-
struct or substantially alter them.