Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-03
An Active Season in Building Opera
lions Anticipated.
PROPERTY As AN INVESTMENT
Residence of Ex-senator Sawyer
Sold for 500, 900,
v IOUs M A TT E R S

Owing to the severity Of recent weather
building operations have been at a stand
still, but those who are in q position to
form an accurate judgment are Of the opin-
ion that there is to be a great deal Of con-
struction during the coming season. The
material men who now have orders, or
know Of contracts which have been made
or are about to be made, are preparing for
an active demand for their supplies. This
is especially the case with the brick max
ers, for, as is well known. all the brick
used in this city, with the exception Of the
fancy varieties, are made right here.
Brickmakng is an important local indus
try, in which a good deal Of money is in
vested. and which employs large number
Of men. During the past few years, when
starvation prices prevailed for building and
men took contracts at a margin which rep
resented merely a bare living for them
| selves, those engaged in brickmadng suf-
fered as did those in other branches, and
| in many cases the returns hardly sufficed
for the support of their families.
No Change in Price of Bricks.
Last year, when business revived, the
wages were increased to living basis and
at the same time the market price of the
bricks was advanced. Although since then
coal has advanced, It is not expected by the
brickmakers that there will be any change
made during the present season in the pre-
vailing scale Of prices. In fact it is believed
there will be no further advance in any
class of material, as the scale fixed during
the past year is regarded as satisfactory
and is sufficient change from the prices
which prevailed during the period Of de-
preston.
For this reason 1t Is thought arrange
ments can be entered into without hesita-
ton by those who wish to build, and there
need to be no apprehension of a rising mar
ket, as far as brick is concerned. 1t is be-
heved these favorable circumstances will
result in a great deal of activity in house
construction during the coming season.
The government Is going to be a larger
factor in the market, and there will be
structures erected in the business section
of the city, well as accommodations for
homes in various parts of the city, and es-
pecial}y in the suburbs. 1t is likely that
during the coming year a beginning will be
made in erecting private residences in the
suburbs for rent, just as is now done in the
city. 1t is believed, with the improved
street railroad facilities there will be a de-
mand for houses of this character some dis
lance away from the centers, well as for
those located nearby. Heretofore building
in the suburbs has been mainly done by
those who want homes and not by those.
who are seeking an investment.
As an Investment.
It is said by real estate brokers that there
are a good many people who are seeking in
vestments in real estate, and as a rule
when satisfactory opportunity can be
pointed out sale Is made. Investors no
longer expect real estate to yield a revenue
which is impossible to find. in any other
class of Investment They are conteited
with a reasonable income return their
money The change in this respect is quite
marked. Several years ago net income of
7 : and 10 per cent from real estate was
looked upon as a matter of course. and in
much instances a much higher return was
obtained. Nowadays however, a piece Of
property which yields a net income of per
cent is considered a good Investment.
In the stock market a per cent security
is about all that can be obtained at the pre-
vailing prices, and SO it is thought that real
estate yielding a return of per cent takes
rank with the substantial classes Of secu-
rites in the stock market.
SoIdiers' Home Improvements.
A number Of improvements have been
made and are in progress in the grounds
and buildings Of the Soldiers Homo. The
governor. Gen. Ruggles, has done much
during his administration to increase the