Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-17

eS, continued the bewfldered New
Yorker. smiling reminiscently and delight
eddy at these familiar home sensations,
Just like my dear. old town! The capital
Is evidently on the jump in the building line.
l was in Washington few years ago, and
l confess that do not recognize this neigh
borhood at ALL he added, looking around
with puzzled expression upon his features.
The fact Is replied the resident, apollo
getically, I'VE are SO busy building houses
and business blocks that if we kill a dozen
or two New Workers and Brooklynites every
day we have scarcely time to make a note
of 1t at the Emergency Hospital. 1t is a
concession for one from your city to admit
that anything or any place reminds him
of home, and while we are duly grateful,
you had an easy time of 1t today, for there
Is something doing in the capital despite
the adjournment of Congress. 1t IS this
way:
"Rebuilding Of Washington"
THAT you, comparative stranger, are
surprised at the almost complete change in
the appearance of the city in this vicinity
is to be expected, for few cities can show
within a radius of few blocks so marked
a metamorphosis for the better within so
short space of time as may be observed
here
I'm fact, Washington is being rebuilt as
rapidly in proportion to Its size as is New
York in the vicinity of Madison, Herald and
Long Acre squares. and which improve
ments your illustrated papers delight to pic
ture. We are not saying a word about it,
but going right ahead. Within a few yards
of where you stand ground will shortly be
broken for twelve-story addition to new
hotel, which, I believe, will be several feet
longer than the Waldorf Astoria, If not
quite so high and will probably contain as
many, If not more, rooms than the famous
9Th avenue hosiery, of which New Workers.
are Justihably proud. Also, within a few
yards Of us, have been completed within
a year several air-piercing office buildings,
with two more bigger fellows to be COM
pleted before next July. There are also half
a dozen smaller Office structures during pro-
cess OF construction. we'll as others In
contemplation, including large bank build
ing for one of our oldest banks which has
outgrown its already roomy quarters; while
the steel frame of what will be one of the
largest department stores In the United
states is in sight couple of block to the
east. score Of buildings formerly used
as residential property have been rebuilt
INTO business houses. and more are soon to
follow. The value of property in the vicin-
lty, as shown by bona fide sales, has adj
Vanced 30 per cent within twelve months
The value of desirable property in other
portions of the city has increased in cor
responding ratio, the steady and permanent
rise IN values not being confined to q ~
particular quarter.
Washington's Gratifying Expansion.
But what I tell you is but single item
in the process of the rebuilding of Wash
lngton,' and 1t attracts you and others who
nave not visited US lately mainly because
the district lies In the hotel section Of the
city. Pennsylvania avenue from 10Th 70
14th street looks like another thorouphfare
as compared with a few short years ago
while still further private improvements
thereon are planned. Others of public ma
ture for which large congressional ammo
priations have been made will soon he ac-
Qualities and this business section will he
Iurtner revolutionized in appearance. A
NUMBER or buildings on this wide avenue
nave been raised in height Others are nm
dergoing this improvement, and still others
completed, and this progressive action unon
the part or some Of our property owners
mas stimulated with gratifying results the
efforts of other owners who have heretofore
been reluctant to improve
so, you see, my friend building activity
Is not solely confined to New York, as YOU
would appear to think 1t can be authori-
tatfvely stated that no city in the United
states Is being rebuilt, or built I'D moro
rapidly than is Washington In the north
west quarter especially solid brick blocks
when you were last here a few years ago
were rolling hills covered with beautiful
groves Of oaks. One Of the tallest of the
many big fire-proof apartment houses erect
co IN this city within the past five wears ia
on the far northwestern heights oyerIool
ing the capital like a giant white sentinel
where a few years ago were villa gardens
NOW THIS portion of the heights is built up
still another mammoth apartment house Ia
well up adjoining the first clearly sIlhouet
ted against the western sky. Farther east
lne heights OF Washington resemble the
streets OF uptown New York in the number
ana size OF the large apartment and dwell
ing houses built thereon.
Progress in All Quarters Of the CITY
THE extension of the PENNSYLVANIA ave-
nue. car line to Washington bridge has made
accessible large plateau on the eastern
end OF Capitol hill which heretofore was
neglected by reason Of inadequate transpor-
tation facilities to the heart of the CITY
Thls condition has now been all changed.
and moderate priced houses for persons ~
Moderate means have gone up by the block
These entertaining and instructive facts
also hold true Of that large section of the
city known as the northeast which has
been opened up within a comparatively re-
cent date by the opening of new car lines
and new streets, and where the building of
the moderate priced home has gone on
with great strides. When YOU were here
last, and rode your bike up LIST street north
east above r street you noticed sevaraI
square miles on each side OF the wida
smooth street which leads to the southern
entrance to the grounds of the Soldiers
Home, and upon which there were but
few scattering buildings. Now this district
is built up almost solid to the gates of the
grounds.
I'm short, no one quarter Of the city NAV
claim a monopoly in the improvements
which will greet you everywhere in your
rides over our matchless system of cleo
trio lines. The city has expanded SO randi
ly and in all directions that the police and
fire departments, in spite Of their additions
are taxed to give adequate protection Sew
eral new engine houses have also been built
and manned and additional apparatus
which will be taken from the houses In the
business quarter Of the city upon the in
stallation Of new and powerful steamers.
will go to the suburbs. In the aristocratic
portions OF the city costly dwellings are oc-
cupying all available spaces. and there are
very few sites left for those who come
later. 1t is Improvement, and still improve
ment all over town"
And am glad to hear it. for Washing
ton is all right" responded the Gothamite.
as he finished brushing the dust from his
immaculate apparel, "but that quart of
dry quick lime l swallowed when got in
the way OF the ladder brigade has given me