Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Encouraging Outlook for a
Brisk Building Season.
THE PRICE OF BRICK
IMPROVEMENTS In PROGRESS IN
VARIOUS SECTIONS OF DISTRICT.
Proposed Expenditure by st. Patrick's'
neutrality-suspicious. for the
Coming Season.

The brickmakers Of the District have de-
cided on an advance in the price of their
product for the coming season. One dollar
per thousand increase is the figure fixed
upon, not SO much by the brick men, as
they say, as by the change in the market
price Of the bituminous coal which Is used
for firing the kilns. Last season, the brick
makers state. coal was to be had for 81
per ton, while this season, far as they
can now estimate, it will be impossible for
them to get this fuel for less or much less
than So per ton. They state that curing
the past season, when prices advanced for
bituminous coal, which advance was caused
by the increased> demand, the brick men
paid high for fuel.
Now they say that they have no accurate
information as to what will be the condi-
lions during the coming season, but from
all they can learn they are led to believe 1t
will be impossible for them to buy coal for
much less than S. per ton. This will be an
increase over what was paid last season OF
81 on the ton. 1t is estimated that it takes
about half a ton to burn a thousand
brick, so that the advance of 81 per thou
sand in the price Of brick will, 1t is calcu-
lated simply cover the increase in the cost
of fuel.
Effect on Cost Of Building.
There are three grades of brick now used
in the construction Of an ordinary house,
without reference to the front. These
grades are the salmon brick, the arch brick
and the red brick. During the past season
the scale Of prices for these grades ranged
from $3.50 to $3.50 per thousand. This sea-
son 81 will be added to the price Of each
grade. 1t Is estimated that the increased
cost of an average house due to this adj
vance will be between $50 and 800, as in
the ordinary three-StOry house there are
some sc, 900 brick used
From this latter point Of view the in
crease does not sound so formidable, as 1t
does when it is mentioned as an advance OF
81 per thousand.
1t is also somewhat reassuring to those
who are anxious that as much work as pos
sible should come out during the coming
season that there are no other circum-
stances which have thus far developed that
are likely to deter those who contemplate
building from going ahead with the work.
The Labor Market.
Practically the advance in the cost Of
brick represents. the entire increase that is
probable in the cost Of building during the
coming months as compared with the cor
responding period Of last year. However, 1t
is said that there Is a movement on foot
among the carpenters to ask for an increase
in their daily wages, and 1t Is also said
the electrical workers contemplate similar
action. In other respects the labor market
promises to remain unchanged. and it is
not anticipated there will be any other
change than that mentioned in the scale of
the cost of materials.
At present some builders are still uncer-
tain as to the outlook and therefore allow
margin than they otherwise would in order
to provide against contingencies arising
from changes in wages or in the cost of
materials. 1t Is. however, the judgment of
,I4 Co.. Ia.
ditions that with the exception Of the above
instances there will be no further change in
the building situation during the coming
months. All the indications point to pros
normal occurs. A number Of enterprises
have been projected by individuals, and
there is to be considerable work done by
the government, SO that the prospect is an
encouraging one.
A Large Transaction.
49, Peculiar circumstances arise In the real
estate business as well as in other lines of
endeavor, but the following experience is
thought by brokers to be somewhat unique:
The owner of a piece of property near the
Eastern branch was anxious to get rid Of
1t. In one way and another five brokers
became interested, and it was that number
which was entitled to share In the COM
mission when a purchaser was finally Sc
cured and the property was sold for $500.
At per cent the commission ON this trans
action was 50. The various agents were
looking forward with interest to the con-
summation Of the deal and to receiving
their share of the commission. An exami-
nation Of the title, however, disclosed the
fact. which was amusing. under the cir
cumstances, that there was an unreleased
note on the property amounting to $500.
St. Patrick's Church Changes.
A plan for extensive improvements in the
Of ST. Patrick's Church. at the
corner Of 10th and G streets, has been de-
cided upon. It is proposed to perfect the
exterior of the church edifice by completing
the two Gothic towers which the design Of
the church calls for. The towers flank the
main entrance and have been built up
to the roof line. The new part will be built
OF stone and will harmonic with the gen.
eral architectural schemes of the church
building.
A more decided change however, will be
made. as 1t is the purpose to remove the
parsonage and the old buildings fronting
on G street and extending as far east as
the Rifles Hall, including the old Carroll
Hall. new pastoral residence is to be
erected, Gothic in design, and in about the
same location as the present residence, ex-
cept 1t will stand back somewhat from the
street The adjoining space on 10th street
Is to be occupied by large building, which
will contain hall. and also ample space
for a parochial school for girls and boys 1t
Is the intention to spend about 500 600 in
making this Improvement. The plans are
being made by Wood, Dom & Deming, ar
chitects, while the construction will be in
charge of Mr.. John s. Larcombe.
Sales Of Realty.
Early & Hampton, real estate brokers,
have sold to Mrs Emma E. Barrie the
Lewis building. southeast corner of Louis
lana avenue and 9th street, for $4,000;
lot 6Ox162 feet on the south side of Balti-
more street between Columbia road and
10th street to Mr.. Abbie H. Phelps for
So, 500; to Lester A. Barr, lot 114x160 feet
on the south side of Harvard street between
18th and 14th streets for SIS, 700; to Tony
Zetelle of Philadelphia the apartment
house near the corner Of 9th and g streets