Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-16
Inducements offered to Those Who
Wish to Be Home Owners.
IN PLACE OF PAYING RENT MERELY
Comfort in Hot Weather as A.
fected by House Designs.
V IOUS NJ ATT E R S

looked upon as one of the healthy indi-
cations of the realty market. This desira-
BILE class of citizens is not as numerous as
1t should be. but in comparison with other
cities in this respect Washington ranks
very well. The census returns demonstrate
ed that even Philadelphia. which is popu-
larry known as the city of homes. has
about the same percentage of people who
own their own homes Is found in this
city. 1t may be said that as a rule strong
inducements are held out to this class of
investors. and property owners as well as
those In charge of financial Institutions
having money to lend make the road that
ends in a man becoming his own landlord
easy possible.
This was demonstrated recently by the
offer made by Mr.. w. E. Shannon, real
estate broker. who had row of fifteen
three-story houses for sale. While it will
be some time yet before they are finished,
they have been sold down to the last house.
Some idea of the demand for property of
this kind may be gathered from the fact
that the houses were placed on sale the 1st
of May and by the 9th of the present month
they We're all sold.
They Had the Cash.
Although Mr.. Shannon offered to sell on
cash deposit of $500, the price of the
houses being $3.50 each. he states that in
every case except one the fifteen purchas-
ers made cash payment varying from
81 800 to 200 They had this money saved
up to invest when the opportunity came.
and were therefore in Il position to better
themselves. 1t is interesting to know that
of the fifteen purchasers nine were already
home owners. 1t is evident that they are a
substantial sort of people, who appreciate
the advantage of owning the roof which
shelters their families.
It may be said that the conditions of
borrowing money for such purposes are
very much more liberal than was formerly
the case. Not only is the rate of interest
moderate. but the terms of payment are
easy. In this way people are persuaded for
their own good to begin the saving of some
thing from their earnings and place 1t in
the security of an investment in realty.
Hot Weather and Architecture.
Judging from what one hears some peo-
pie say of the discomforts of their houses
at this season of the year. and the reasons
they assign for 1t. 1t is evident that the
plans of houses ought to be considered in
the summer time. 1t Is believed that more
consideration would then be given to eli
matte conditions than at other seasons. The
average house interior is apt to be ruined
by the overweening desire to get as much
for the money possible. and so If eX
ira room, or more closet space. or some
other feature can be secured. little thought
is given to the fact that it is necessary to
sacrifice the sweep through the house which
is such "a comfort during the heated term.
If the average house could he opened
from end to end, that whatever air is
going can freely pass through the rooms.
there would be less commplaint heard of
uncomfortable days and nights for those
who are at home Very often, In order to
produce a certain exterior effect. which Is
thought to he desirable by some, the win
dow openings are reduced in size by tran
ipS Of h..H-i hoe
through the entire height.
To Keep the Interior Cool.
Then. again. by the expenditure of little
money in outside blinds. instead Of inside
shutters the window sashes could be en-
tirely removed during the extreme hot
weather, and the entire opening utilized for
the admission Of fresh air. The outside
blinds. by keeping out the direct rays of the
sun. increase the comfort of house in the
daytime as well as night. With generous
window openings at each end of a house,
and an entirely unobstructed sweep, the
average home would not have the stuffy
feeling about which one is apt at this sea-
son OF the year to hear people talk.
The difficulty which some architects have
TO contend with is that people who build
houses want to make as much of a show
as possible and have their homes stylish
II the latter is to be achieved by making
Two rooms where there should be only one
the first floor is obstructed, it Is all right
because 1t is the thing. People NAV swell
ter in hot weather, but II they are in STYLE
they can endure the discomfort with appar-
ent cheerfulness. The same principle leads
men to build for 5000 a house that is sun
posed to look if it cost $1,000, and the
stone front and tiled vestibule and other
features by which such "a result is mag
lnec to be attained give much satisfac-
ton to the householder, who endures as
best he can the hardships of living In a
mouse that is constantly going to pieces.
fashlon is Just as tyrannical in the world
OF real estate as 1t Is in millinery.
Apartment Buildings,
An apartment house is being built by
John o. Johnson and Charles G. Lynch ON
the south side Of Binney street, Columbia
Heights. AS there is an alley on the east
side of the lot the new structure will be
lighted not only from the front and rear.
but from the side. The frontage will he
% feet and the depth 122 feet. There will
be twelve suites of four rooms each in the
four stories The material used In the con-
struction OF the front will be press brick
ana brown stone The main entrance will
be marked by a portico, the roof of which
will be carried on pillars
1t is Mr.. Johnson's intention in the near
future to build at the southeast corner of
Ing which will be four stories in height
and contain eight suites The dimensions
of the building will be 24x9O feet
Some New Buildings.
There will be erected on L street be-
tween 10th and Goth streets a neat two
story and cellar brick dwelling. Mr. Jas.
G. Hill is the architect and Mr.. W. L. Tur-
ner the contractor and builder.
The same builder has been awarded a
contract for remodeling the fine residence
of Mr.. Jas. E. Wall, No. 1918 street
northwest This house will be finished in
hardwood and neatly decorated
Mr.. Turner has been awarded the con-
tract for erecting buildings for the new
Washington Brick Machine Company at
ADDISON, Va, about one mile beyond Long
bridge. 1t is understood that this plant
when completed will be one Of the finest in
the country. The capacity Of the plant will
be about one million bricks per day.
POstponement of Irish Convicts' Cases
Assistant Secretary Taylor has received
from Boston a request for permission to
file brief in the cases of FItz Harris and
Mullet. who are detained by the immigra-
ton authorities In New York under orders
for their deportation. The request has