The Washington times., 1901-12-01
INFLUENCE OF
THE ROOSEVELTS.
Will Be Beneficial TO Washington
Real Estate.
SOCIETY AND PROSPERITY.
Memories of the Cleveland Golden
Agc-Opinions OF the BROKERS'
Some Recent Important Trans
actions-The Ern of Flats.

Next to the Importance OF a President
being a good President, the Washington
real estate men consider it chiefly impor-
tant that he be a good society man and
have following of wealthy and socially
influential friends.
As anyone familiar with the business
history Of Washington knows. the Presi-
dent and his family and friends have much
to do with the real estate market. Much
Of its prosperity or the reverse can be
directly traced to the influence Of the
Administration. If an Administration is
goeially brilliant, it usually occurs that il
brings with it a train of good times for
Washington business interests generally
but especially for real estate.
The social propensities of the Roose-
veIts, therefore, are the subject of more
than casual curiosity. 1t is realized
that they may mean millions of dollars
for the city.
The Cleveland Administration.
The golden age of Washington realty
rame with Cleveland's first Administration.
Mr.. Cleveland had not been a prominent
figure in society before he became Presi-
dent, but he was soon married, and TO a
pretty woman of social instincts and ca
pabilities, who made his Administration
brilliant one, from her view at least. The
whitneys aided the Clevelands much to
give it an eclat. Wealthy families came
to Washington TO live and to buy hand
some homes in greater numbers than ever
before. in fact, it might almost be said
that the Washington habit was formed
by the millionaire families during this
Administration.
Real estate doomed wonderfully. Prices
doubled. and in many cases, of course, ad-
vanced ten-fold in the suburbs.
The McKinleys began their first Ad
ministration when the country was pass
ing through a great period of depression.
But they, too, saw the beginning Of an ex-
cellent recovery in the real estate mar
ket. During the past two years, business
has increased steadily, hut slowly, and at
the present time the market may be said
TO be active and prosperous.
What the RooseyeIts May Do.
The Roosevelts are an old and wealthy
family, and their social position is unas-
sailable. entirely aside from Mr.. Roose-
velFs present Office. and Mrs. Rooseveits
position as chief lady of the land They
belong TO the millionaire set, as well as
to the Ole family set They belong to
New York society and to New England So
ciety. as well as to Washington society.
There are the best OF reasons for bellev-
ing that they viii make the Capital City
the winter social centre of the country
while they are in the White House. And
this viii be reflected, if the experts are
correct in their deductions. in a continu-
ance of the prosperity of the real estate
market and very likely in a return even
Of the rosy times of ten years ago and
mere.
It is estimated that at the present time
there are fewer vacant houses in Washing
ton than ever before in recent years. A
review of the rental books of the princi-
pal brokers and a careful survey OF the
city has been made during the past week
by reporter for The Times. and the
statement is made advisedly. THIS is an
evidence of prosperity that cannot be
questioned. It is more than il appears or
its face, in fact, and that is much The
builders have been busy, and the number
of new dwellings erected during the past
three years is in excess of all previous
filed, and have been.
The Great Fiat Ern.
More than this, there has been the be-
ginning of the great fiat era" Flat houses
have been erected in large numbers in
all sections of the city, and for all classes
of people, from the fifteen n-dollar-a-month
family up. No one has yet collected any
o.. 4F.F hut fe In T,af
the number of families living in apart
ments nog that rented or owned houses
five years ago is in excess Of 500. This
makes 500 more houses to fill.
The real estate men believe that the
present census has gone wrong on the
population o: the city several thousand
at least. They say that this must be SO,
10 account for the crowded condition Of
the city. The census showed very
great increase in the population from that
at the time Of the last police census, and
yet there Is visible evidence all over
the city that there has been an increase
The enumerators made their rounds in
the miodle Of the summer. when Wash
ington more than most cities is away on
its summer vacation.
Opinions OF the Brokers.
Davidson & Davidson say of the mar
ket: There are few houses for rent.
fewer than ever before, despite the advent
of the fiat during the past few years. The
market for sales during the past week
or two has not been so brisk as heretofore
this autumn, owing perhaps to the COM
ing of Congress, which always causes
few weeks OF quiet before 1t begins TO help
the situation later"
Early & Hampton say: THE market
10 active The demand for houses of the
better class, and in the northwest es-
pecially, has been excellent Washing
ton Heights and the other suburbs in that
vicinity are filling up with houses in
most gratifying manner"
Stone & Fairfax say: There has been
more demand for property OF all classes
this year than at any time before in eight
CT Ten years. We note a particularly good
investment demand for residences selling
at from 81 900 to say $40, ,OV0. The mania
for speculating in stocks seems TO have
abated somewhat and people have turned
TO real estate as more stable and less ex-
citing"
Eugene E. Gaddis says: "The market
is IN a healthy and prosperous condition.
/ have not seen a time in my fourteen
years in the business when houses of
moderate size have sold so readily. A
week ago 1 placed on the market in an
unfinished condition twenty-five six
room houses in the block that ! am build
ing up in Columbia Heights, and already
! have sold twelve of them
p. z. Sutor, of the firm OF E. Lodge Hill,
says: This season has been the busiest
we have ever experienced. The demand
for property has exceeded the supply. We
find the demand for houses ranging In
price from 1880 TO sz.50o is especially