The Washington times., 1903-06-28
Record Reached in the Num-
Der of Small Dwelling
House Operations Planned
by Local Builders.
High Pricesof Material, How
ever, Interfere With Some
of the Larger Projects.
Land Values Holding Up.

So strong and natural are the condi-
tions In the real estate market at pres
ent that no signs are visible of abate-
ment in the unusual activity. In fact,
some of the more sanguine OF the opera
tors are inclined to believe that the
business is not likely to lessen even
during July and August
Station Plans.
The work on the union station has. in
small measure caused the moving of
families, and consequently the erection
of. and changing of residence places.
This. however. S not seen as much as il
was at the first big scare" of the un-
ion station project. and 1t is thought
That the movement from now on will be
SO gradual as not to cause any appre-
ciable effect on realty dealings.
The work OF destruction of the houses
on the actual site of the station is we'll
Under way. and It is understood that ex-
cavaticns for the building proper will
begin July l. general plan. subject TO
change. has been agreed upon. and the
recent alteration OF the two single-track
tunnels TO a double track tunnel are in
oications that work IS so far advanced
that many details may be looked into
and decided upon
Opposed to the Change.
There has been much discussion re-
Gently regarding the addition to the
building regulations that all walls of
two-stOTy buildings or over shall be
thirteen inches thick. Previous 10 this
regulation the builders were compelled
TO have nine-inch walls n structures be-
low nifty feet. and If the proposed build
Ing vas above fifty feet to nave thirteen
inch walls throughout
This added regulation will in many
ways work hardships on the owners and
constructors OF buildings The margin
OF profit heretofore has been suen that it
viii be completely wiped out by the
added cost in the construction Of build
inss-reckoning, OF course. from the
price set on buildings at tie present rG.-
inss.
The reasons advanced for the new reg
ulation are many. In the case OF many
builders who planned to build houses a
fe@ feet over the fifty feet allowed for
the nine -irch wall. It was argued that a
hardship was imposed when the building
department required that a thirteen-inch
wall be used on account of the building
being oyer-no matter how much-ffty
feet
TO stop these complaints and to make
the thickness of the walls uniform the
insertion of the new regulation was
deemad advisable.
The protection OF buildings in case CT
fire las also proved no small factor in
recommending the new departure. The
builders. however, are prepared for this
argument with facts 10 show that
nine-inch wall offers ample fire protec-
ten 10 a height of almost sixty feet
The added thickness. too. works some
disadvantages in the matter OF taking
width from lot which may already be
small and insufficient When four
inches are taken from both sides ma
terial and noticeable difference in Il
house. especially in the inside, follows
IN the prevention OF noise in houses
the thick wall will be at it's best
II is said that a party OF representa-
tive builders and others will go before
the Commissioners and present the ma
ter from their standpoint. The ever-ia-
creasing cost OF building materials ard
labor are also advanced as disagreeable
features Of the present complaint. and
IL possible a clear and satisfactory ur-
derstaEding will be determined for all
time.