Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-10
REAL ESTATE. GOSSIP
Progress Made in Building in an
After-Season Period.
ATTENTION GIVEN TO COUNTRY ROADS
Improvement in Facilities of CON-
muncation Through the District.
M A TT Err S OF INTE REST

The improvement which has been noted
from time to time in this column as taking
place in the building interests in this Dis
trict is likely TO continue during the bal
ance of this season. 1t is thought by those
judgment that if the weather continues to
be favorable for outdoor work a good many
enterprises which have been postponed
awaiting the result of the election will now
go on. If this shall prove to be the case,
then the activity will be unusual for what
is known the winter season.
AS the bulk of the brick used in building
is made in this District or in the territory
Immediately tributary to the District the
condition in this industry is a pretty good
indication of the state of the market, at
least in the building trades. Last year,
enuing in December, 1899 the total output
Of the brick yards of this District was So
100000 brick. AS compared with the year
before, this was an advance, but 1t was
not up to the most active years, when as
many as 12J,00O.OOO brick We're sold in one
year
Greater Than Last Year.
1t is estimated that while the sales of the
present year have not been finished, and
for that reason it is impossible to make an
accurate estimate, yet it is probable the
total result will show an advance over
the figures of last year. There are more
substantial reasons for the belief that, now
the election is over there will be building
enterprises started, than the mere sent
mental one based on partisan prejudice,
and that is the demand for additional
houses for the growing pCpuia ion. There
is no doubt that there is a market for more
houses. This is shown in part by the way
the houses offered for rent have been
taken, and the sta ements made by real
estate agents, based on the experience of
the past few months, that if there We're
more houses of a certain class there would
be no difficulty in finding tenants.
Roads in the Suburbs.
The condition of the roads throughout the
country or suburban portion of the District
is of practical interest to a large and in
creasng number of citizens. Reference is
not made exclusively to those who make
use of the roads for pleasure riding. for
there are other ways in which tirst-class
highways are of advantage to the public.
The increase in the suburban population,
which has been going steadily for sew
era1 years past, in spite of discourage
Inents, or rather lack O. encouragement, in
the way of TRANSPORTATION facilities, is de-
pendent largely on the condition Of the
roads. A smooth, modern roadway leading
from the center of population out into the
country and past the residences of citizens
his interests lie, and makes his home more
accessible to his friends The relation Of
property values to good roads is so well
recognized that it is no longer the subject
of argument.
Cost of Maintenance.
Whether viewed from the standpoint of
the property holders of those who use
the roads for pleasure riding, that portion
of the estimates of the Commissioners of
the funds needed for the improvements of
the road during the coming year read
with much interest. What known
county roads in the official phrase, are i'm
proved with the macadam system, and each
year certain amount of money is eXpend-
ed in the maintenance of these thorough
fares. While this form of road making is
cheap, as far as the original cost is con-
cerned, when COMPARED with city street
improvement and other recognized methods,
still there is large yearly expenditure
which is chargeabIe to maintenance.
The work is done, however, considering
the large area of the roads, at what would
seem to be small cost, only some $50
600 was expended last year for this pur-
pose. Next year Capt. Beach, District En-
gineer Commissioner, estimates that $780,,
600 will be needed to properly maintain
these important arteries.
AT present their condition, in the opinion
of good many who have occasion to use
them. is that they are not as perfect
they might be- Capt Beach is inclined
also, to think that is the case. He says,
however, that the plan of using what is
known as dirt gravel for the top dressing
of the roads has been given up, and sub
stitute of stone, finely ground, has been
adopted Owing to the fact that the dam
age caused by a recent fire at the quarry
owned by the District, at DickerSon. Md.
has not been repaired, the supply of this
ma terial has been limited.
Plans for the Future.
1t is expected that shortly it can be OBJ
tanned as fast as it is needed, and then the
required attention will be given to the
roads. With the additional money asked
for, the coming year, it is hoped that much
needed work in this direction can be pushed
ahead, and that the highways of the sub
urban sections of the District will be placed
in condition that will be a credit to the
city well give the facilities that the
growing suburban population demands.
The adjoining states of Maryland and Vir-
ginia are recognizing the Importance of
good roads, and through a bond issue
Montgomery county is building a macadan
| road fr I'M Rockville to the District line
| which is about completed. while work is
now IN progress in Virginia in making