Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-12
To Do Away With Fences.


In a series of photographs showing hous-
ing conditions in various portions of the
country is one that is entitled "A Study In
Back Yards 1t shows a stretch of lawns
senarating the rears of a row of houses,
suggesting somewhat the parking in front
of houses in this city. Through the center
rms a broad roadway or alley. The feat
ure of the entire arrangement is the alb
sence of all fences both at the sides ana
in the rear, and one who is accustomed to
the huddled mass which a view from the
rear windows of almost any house In this
city commands looks at this arrangement
with much interest. The hideous and dis
figuring back fences are done away with,
and there is clear sweep in the rear of
the houses as is the case in the front Be
sides the actual saving of money which the
abolition of back fences would effect, 1t
would certainly bring about a radical i'm
provement in the appearance and surround
ings Of every house in the city.
When it Is seen that such a thing can
be done, the only wonder is that people
will continue to pay out of their pockets to
perpetuate practice which is of no benefit
and, besides. Is an actual detriment and
source Of expense. There is no reason why
every back fence in the city should not
come down, and the rear of the houses left
open to the alleys in the same fashion as
the fronts are exposed to the street. 1t
used to be that people thought front fences
were necessary, but now that cows and
geese no longer wander about the streets
that precaution seems no longer useful.
Activity in Building.
building continues active in all sections
Of the country. Official reports to the Con-
struction News from twenty-four of the
nrfncipal cities of the country show that
during the month Of October permits were
taken out for the construction of S,206
buildings involving $27.775,019 against g.
500 buildings at an estimated cost of $21,-
S25, 100 during the corresponding month a
year ago, an increase this year of 1.314
buildings and $27 TIE, 019, or 80 per cent.
1t shows that there Is a tremendous de-
mand for new buildings for all purposes
and that with the exceptional impetus that
Il now has it should continue extremely
active throughout November A falling off
is to be expected during the winter months.
but people who are capable of judging be-
lieve that the decrease during the winter
will not be very great The activity is gen.
eral and 1t not confined to any particular
part of the country. d,
Sale Of Lots.
J. Augustus Taylor, real estate broker,
1921 F street, has sold for cash to Brig.
Gen. Frank G. Smith. lot 139. in square 80.
This lot, which was owned by 8. s. Odds of
Lansing, Mich, contains about 2.224 square
feet, fronting 81 feet on 21st street between
N and o streets. The price paid was about
81, 500.
The same broker has also sold a lot In
square !, block southwest of square 60, for
1900.
Two Large Residences.
A transaction of much interest has just
been closed by Westcott & Story, real
estate brokers. They have sold through
william Corcoran Hill. real estate broker,
the large piece of ground at the southwest
corner of Rhode Island avenue and 18th
street to Col. Denny of the Marine Corps.
For the latter they have sold to George