The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-17

1908, amount to s1.376,o 66, which is
gain of 5 per cent, as stated.
The individual figures for Washington
show an increase of per cent, the
figures for April, 1903. being 800 per-
1880 against 376 permits and 81 ,050,
70S for April, 1902.
Reports From Other Cities.
The most remarkable increase is -.0t-
ed in Buffalo, which shows an increase of
10 per cent. st. Louis, notwithstand-
ing the approaching Worlds Fair, and
consequent building. reports an increase
of only 113 per cent over the CORE
spending month of 1902. The greatest
loss is seen in New Orleans. which has
decreased 81 per cent. San Francisco
in the face Of her Pacific cable boom,
has fallen off 26 per cent, and Chicago
80 per cent. st. Paul appears to ad-
vantage, with an increase OF 81 per
cent. against an increase OF 80 per cent
for her sister city, Minneapolis. lew
York city shows a gain OF 8 per cent.
The past week has not been particu-
larry active in local real estate and
building circles, no permits of much i'm
portance having been issued by the
Building Inspector. One OF the largest
real estate transa ctions of the year,
however, was completed on Friday,
when nearly 10000 feet of unimprovcd
property on Massachusetts, Avenue ex-
tended sold for SO per foot. This sale
carries with Il considerable significance
nF 70 h.. A ri
purchased the property less than thir-
teen years ago for approximately 81 per
foot. The Potomac Realty Company. the
new owner. Will subdivide the property
into four sites, each with a ffty-foot
frontage, upon which It will build four
handsome residences. The effect of the
sale has already made itself apparent
in the quotations on unimproved prop
erty in the vicinity OF Sheridan Circle,
and from 10 to 30 cents foot has been
added TO the prevailing prices.
Buying Suburban Property.
The suburban idea received n slight
impetus during the week when Major
General Corbin purchased twelve acres
east of Chevy Chase, and announced his
intention TO build a comfortable sum
mer home surrounded with orchards and
gardens. The recent purchase by a New
York woman OF the famous Calvert
estate at Mount Airy. Md. sixteen
miles from Washington. will result In
the establishment OF another magnif-
cent country seat. for it is said that the
new owner will not only renovate and
improve the mansion. but Will restore
the 800 surrounding acres.
A reason which may be advanced as
an excuse for the apparent temporary
cessation IN new building operations. is
the threatened high wage scale. An an
nouncement made last week by rromi-
nent local contractor, that wages for
bricklayers would reach Sc per day dur
ing the ensuing season. has caused In
vestors and contemplative builders 10
become conservative. and II Is probable
that they will bide their time before
awarding any contracts which call for
the employment of the building trades.
Wage Scale Prohibitive.
It is not fair to presume that the
other branches of the building trades
will allow the brickIayers all the ad-
vantage accruing from increased pay.
Carpenters. joiners. plumbers. iron
workers, and ali the other trades neces-
sary in the construction of modern
building will insist on an increase OF
from 80 cents 10 81 per day. provided the
bricklayers are successful in maintain
ing their scale. Thus II Will be seen that
after plans have been drawn for project
ed bindings and the estimates takap
the ardor of speculative builders is cool
ed and the enthusiasm of the home build
er materially lessened.
The story of Secretary Hays troubles
with the new stoneleigh Court apart
ment house, was published in The
Times several weeks ago. He figured at
first an income OF Il per cent on the