Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-12
Improvements in Progress in Various
Parts of the District.
BUILDINGS IN BUSINESS LOCALITIES
The Beauty Of the City in Annual
Spring Garb.
V A RIO S M AT E R S

other day the small size of which was a
distinguishing feature While there are
many holdings throughout the city which
are regarded as diminutive, they are, as a
rule what are known as inside pieces But
in this case the property is on the corner of
It'll and L streets northwest, and has
frontage of twelve and one-half feet on 18th
street and a depth Of sixty-six feet. The
price paid was $500 1t was sold by Henry
C. Stewart, real estate broker. to a client in
Philadelphia. The property rents for $40
per month. The per square foot price was
a little more than $40.
A Business building.
An Improvement is to be made at the
southwest corner of Sth and streets
northwest by the erection of a building to
replace the old structure that has stood
there for SO many years. The new building
will be three stories in height. and will have
a frontage of nnety-fve feet on D street
and twenty-five feet on Sth street. The
bricks used will be the thin. long variety,
and of such dark shade as to be almost
owner, C. C. Glover. by l.. Norris, archi-
tect and the building will be put up by
John S. Larcombe, contractor.
Unwelcome to Property Holders.
number of property holders. as well as
those who represent property holders, have
seen statements in the newspapers that a
bill has been introduced in Congress for the
purpose of making the payment Of the
taxes on realty in this District annual, in
stead of semi-annual, as at present. 1t is
difficult for them to understand the reasons
for the proposed legislation. if the wishes
Of the property owners are to be taken into
consideration. This same matter came up
recently before the board of trade in con-
nection with the measure that had been
red n the District building making
various changes in the license laws of the
District. One section of this measure .d-
rected that the realty taxes should here
after be paid in one inStallment.
The report of the committee strongly OPP
posed this change. being contrary to the
interests of the taxpayers, and the beard
Endorsed these views. Now, practically the
same thing is introduced a separate
measure in Congress. 1t is claimed by
property holders that it would be a hard
ship them to deprive them of the relief
that comes from being able to meet their
annual taxes on realty in two instalments.
In the case of some small holders it is
thought, the requirement would be prohb-
itory to their holding property. while to all
owners the change would prove to be in
convenient and unwelcome.
The Beauty of the City.
Every year about this time the people of
Washington have surprise. They eX-
claim at the beauty of the trees which line
the streets the foliage In the parks and the
green grass, which seem to give a new APP
pearance to things, and certainly adorn and
beautify the external surroundings of all
citizens, Independent of their wealth
social position. The change is a noticeable
one. even to those who pursue a certain
routine and con1ine their attention eXclu-
svely to that.
In certain sense this vernal freshness of
nature. as it appears to the resident of the
city, is obtrusiVe.
II forces itself the attention and
those who usually have no eyes for nature,
at this time of the year, at least perhaps
unwittingly. allow themselves to glance
about, and they become conscious of the
beauty and grace that seem fairly to run
riot all about them. For this reason one
hears in casual conversations on the street
cars and in places where ordinarily the
weather is the staple topic. remarks about
the trees and the flowers and the grass, and
you also hear people say that they never
saw the city looking so lovely This latter
is undoubtedly true in individual expert
ences. because eyes which have been blind
to such things have been opened.
An Annual Experience.
There is another and "a broader sense in
which it is true, and that is because each
year the trees and the shrubs are more lux
uriant than they We're the previous year.
At the same time 1t must be recognized
that for some years past the natural beauty
which is a part of the plan of the city,
where, for instance. the vistas of the green
lined streets are closed with a massing of
greenery which is found in the many circles
or parks, has been feature of the nations
capital, and while nature and art each year
are adding to the sum Of this excellence,
yet it should be remembered that the re-
suit has been reached by a progress of
growth, and that for a number of seasons
past visions of beauty upon which the eye
now rests have been annually enjoyed.
These attractions Of the city, however.
RI of no Sfy,C nf
spring season. but they seem to grow and
mature with the advance of the year, so
that the city in midsummer presents a
picture that cannot be equaled either in
this country or abroad. Some people have
an idea that in the course Of few short
weeks the town will be abandoned to a
heat, which. according to some representa-
tons, exceeds that Of tropical countries.
But this is SANDER upon the reputation
of Washington as summer resort. Her
claims to the latter are apparent and have
been practically proved by a good many
citizens, who listen with surprise and
amusement to the ignorant comments made
upon the character of the Washington
summers.
improvements at Military Posts.
Important improvements are being made at
the military posts in the vicinity of the city.
At Fort Washington which is down the
river about sixteen miles, six stone build
ngs for officers are being erected and two
the men. Across the river. and a little
farther down, at Fort Hunt six buildings
being erected. which will be used for
stables, wagon sheds and other purposes
At Fort Myer, opposite the city. on the Vir-
GINA side of the river, an administra ton
building is being built, and also a structure
where the military balloons can be stored.
The Northeast Temple.
The market building a 10Th and H streo+s
northeast adjoining Northeast Temple ia
to be enlarged by the addition of thr,,
stories. 1t will then be the same heieh, az
the temple, and In this way additional room
for the lodges will be provided
Mr.. Evans Residence.
A house is to be built on Massachusetts
avenue between oath and 18th streets for
Samuel H. Evans, from plans prepared nv
H. A. Campbell. architect It will be 25xt,O
feet, three stories in height and the front
will be built Of stone and Roman brick
Hot water heat will be used.
House Passed 1871 Pension Bills
The House yesterday afternoon passed
isl private pension bills. and then adjourned
until Monday.