The Washington times., 1903-05-03
Statement for April Indicates
an Aggregate of Permits
Representing $998,035 in
City Construction.
Increase of $3O5, 1862 Over
Record for March, Which
Bespeaks Steady Growth
in Substantial Holdings.

Tor the month or April, issued yesterday,
should be of considerable interest to
local real estate dealers, architects,
builders. and the public in general in
asmuch as it shows an increase of more
than $500, 0GO in the amount represented
by the permits of the month preceding.
Inspector Ashford reports permits for
the expenditure of $685. in buildings.
against S692, 573 for March, an increase
of $305 462. This should be significant
10 Washington investors for although
March was dull month the April figure
hovers close to a million dollars, which
if maintained as an average monthly ex-
penditure, will soon bring local real
estate to a point where it will demand
the attention of many more out-of-town
investors who are looking for an in
terest- paying proposition.
AS was explained in The Times of
week ago, the most encouraging feature
is that the city does not move in fits
and starts. as is so frequent in other
American cities. 1t may be true that
building investment moves a little
more rapidly at some seasons Of the year
than at others. but the average shows
steady incline. and as such should
convey considerable comfort to the
hearts of those who have their all tied
up in Washington real estate.
A New Subdivision.
Out in the northeast corner of the
District, about midway between Brook
land and Langdon, new subdivision
Is we'll under way known as EIlaston
Terrace. The tract comprises 116 lots,
or are contracted for, which goes TO
prove that the Washington people are
slowly becoming educated to the subur-
ban idea. Ellaston Terrace is on high
ground. about the same level as the
monastery and Reform School Kalo-
rama and Washington Heights, and is
but little farther from the business sec
tion of the city than Mount Pleasant
and Holmead Manor.
1t is a remarkable fact that Washing
tonians have never taken kindly TO the
idea of moving from the city proper to
the surrounding suburbs and there
maintaining the year round, a home
more spacious and more comfortable
than the crowded metropolitan condi-
lions Will allow.
In other leading cities the business
men who have established homes, con-
slider themselves fortunate If they can
reside within thirty or thirty-ffve 1ninu-
les ride from their offices. In Washington
fifteen minutes is considered a long time
10 spend on the cars, while twenty or
twenty-five minutes is a limit to be
avoided if possible. Visitors from New
York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and other
nj lar cif H-ig5 +he Nfa
tional Capital without commenting upon
the great possibilities in suburban loca-
lions which await the local home
seeker.
There is not a street car line leading
from the city but offers a good field for
investment or a desirable home site for
families in moderate circumstances.
When one thinks that thirty minutes
ride will carry them almost 10 Cabin
John Bridge, Chevy Chase. Tenleytown,
Brightwood, Brooklyn. Ellaston Terrace
or Anacostia and Congress Heights, it
is remarkable that the masses. who
never have their noses very far remov-
ed from the grindstone. are willing and
content TO live sweltering in the cty's
heat and bowed perceptibly beneath the
weight OF city rents.
Light or Suburban Movement
But the cities will never be wholly
evacuated. The suburban idea is the re-
suit Of education only. and is not taken
to kindly until its advanta ges have been
amply tested and proved beyond ali
reasonable doubt. For every family
which relinquishes its city home for one
where real grass may be occasiona IIy
mosphere enjoyed, there will be "coun-
try folk" DESTROYS of trying the city life
and anxious to become acquainted with
the features OF great metropolitan
community
The condition will resolve itself into
an endless chain. each seeking that dis
carded by the other and kept buoyaut
by the single virtue of variety.
The Apartment House Situation.
On the other hand many capitalists
argue that Washingtonians will never
become "suburbanized" and apartment
houses continue TO spring up almost
in a night
David L. Git, real estate broker. re-
ports the sale of triangular unim-
proved lot fronting on Vermont Avenue
anu u oLEctlS, 10 q local syn
dictate which contemplates the imme-
date erection of an apartment house TO
cover the entire site. Progress con
tinues undated the Portner addi-
tion, Florence Court, the Windsor
stoneleigh Court. and a score of other
similar structures of lesser prominence
Immense dome arches now surmount the
New Willard addition. and the entire
structure VIII be under roof by June /
Ground has been broken during The
week for the new union station, and that
enterprise may be said to be fairly un-
Ter way
John NJ. Henderson reports hayine
sold in the month of April twenty-five
Sets and one residence in the subdivis-
loI<of Woodbridge, on Rhode Island Ave
nue. extended Three houses have beer
started, >and contracts for four more
are about 90 be maze. The Potomac wa