The Washington times., 1903-09-06
Trying TO Escape From Ne1O
Regulation Relating TO
Parry Walls, Which Goes
Into Effect "Wednesday.
Demandfor Small D1OelIIngS
SNAKES Me10 Sfl Le Of Too
Apartment Houses Er-
fSen1eiY P0pULaz.


and in building operations almost
reached the high-water mark in the
past week. An idea of the extent to
which building operations Will be pushed
IN the near future may be gained from
the statement that yesterday eighty-ive
building permits were issued. While
there are other reasons for this unusual
activity among builders the immediate
cause is that the building regulation
governing the thickness of party walls
which was to have become operative
July takes effect on Wednesday, Sep
tember g.
This fact has inspired builders TO pro-
cure now permits to build instead Of
waiting until the new regulation OBJ
tains. 1t is also noticeable in review
ing the permits issued that the great
majority of them are for small houses
of two or three stories.' this class of
houses being greatly in demand by
homeseekers at this time.
Great Difference in Cost
The same rush for permits occurred
when it was thought that the rule would
go into effect July Q. with the result
that the June business of the Inspectors
Office was the largest ever known there
The new regulation provides that party
walls must be at least thirteen inches
thick. With the high prices of brick
and the high wage scale charged by
bricklayers the difference in cost be-
tween a nine-i inch wall and a thirteen
inch wall is materially increased, par
ticularly in large contracts and in the
erection of rows OF houses. Some of
the buildings for which permits we're
issued in the past week will probably
not be begun Immediately. but Will
await more favorable prices in mate
rials and more satisfactory labor con-
ditions
The new regulation has been in con-
temptation for some time, but anticipat-
ing dullness in the summer season the
Commissioners decided tc put 1T in
force at the dull time in order that
building operations might not be inter-
fered with. The supply of brick in the
District, IL is said. IS always below the
demand, and had the new regulation be-
come operative at the time the building
season was at its height. a scarcity of
material would probably have resulted.
That such condition has been avoided
Is a matter of much congratulation TO
the builders and the District Inspectors
Small Apartment Houses.
The most popular type OF building
appears to be the two and three-stoTy
houses with as many suites OF apart
ments. These houses when constructed
with apartments containing five and six
rooms prove most desirable to tenants.
and being rarely vacant on account OF
their reasonable rent they are a safe
and profitable investment 10 their own
: ers Something Is radically wrong with
the house OF moderate rental that can
not find tenant under existing condi-
tions. This new style referred TO makes
family life almost as private as being in
a separate house. IN a row recently
erected this privacy even extends 10 the
heating of the apartments In the two
apartment houses there are two sepa-
rate cellars for furnaces. This addi-
tional convenience has proven most
desirable innovation and it is under
stood that more houses of this type
will be built.
In a majority of this class Of apart
ment houses now in course Of erection,
latrobe heat is used. The Introduction
OF the double cellar Will no doubt in
crease the popularity Of this most re-
cent type of apartments.
Sale of Van Ness Estate.
The most interesting note OF the week
IS the action taken by the trustees Of
the old Van Ness estate in recommend
ing that the offer OF the Columbian Uni
yersity for the estate be accepted. The
estate has been in litigation for several
years. and was formerly the property Of
Governor Swami. The Columbian Uni
yersity trustees desiring the estate in
order to increase its college facilities
made an offer OF 75 cents a square foot
for the tract The trustees. Messrs
Maddox and Wilson. have recommended
that the courts accept this offer. and
thereby close the litigation. This no
doubt will be done and the university
authorities viii be free 70 proceed with
the contemplated improvements.
Harry Wardnan obtained permits yes
terday for the erection Of the follow
ing houses. " r. Grimm Is the archi-
tect in each case:
a row Of thirteen brick houses to be
erected at 3O1s-3042 o Street northwest.
They will be Of pressed brick fronts and
will be apartment houses for two fam
ilies. The row will cost about $4,000.
A row Of ten houses. a single family
sn each house. at 1876 Thirteenth
Street southeast. TO cost s22. 900.
A house at 1905 Georgia Avenue south
east, to cost $1,000.
A row OF seven houses at 1019-l03l
Tenth Street northeast. Of two-story
style. The cost viii be $25, 900.
A row OF fourteen houses of similar
type at 1OO1-lO29 Florida Avenue north
east, TO cost 1000.
A row at 1310-l316 Georgia Avenue
southeast