Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-10

CTUAL building operations In the
~ District, whether partly under way
or only planned, are probably bet
ter indicated by the number OF per-
mits issued by Building Inspector Ashford
together with the estimated cost of the
various structures shown on the faces of
the permits. than by any other means. In
spection of the permits issued last week
or even since the first of the month, how
ever, only serves to corrobbrate statements
previously made that capital and labor alike
seem to be 50 fully occupied with building
operations now under way that little new
work is being projected.
So far during September there has been
marked falling off in both number and
value of permits issued by the building in
spector for new structures. On the other
hand. repairs to dwellings. apartments and
business houses are being authorized to an
even larger extent than is usually evil
denced in the late summer. when Wash
ington Is preparing for the influx of autumn
ana winter residents and tourists
Previous experience OF the authorities in
the building inspectors Office lead to the
statement that the seemingly excessive
issue of permits during July and Au-
ent hscal year, was probably due to the
haste of builders and contractors to get
foundations Of the various new structures
completed before winter sets in that the
tasks can be taken up without loss of time
next spring. Both July and August this
year showed an almost excessive number
OF permits issued-the total value of build
ing operations projected during these two
months running over the S2,090,O00 mark.
In his monthly report for August, issued
a few days ago, Building Inspector Ashford
stated that a total of 46S permits of value
of $954, 600 had been granted for repairs and
new buildings. This is much in excess of
last year. when during August, repairs
and new buildings of total value of $780,
400 were authorized.
OF the new building this year by far the
larger portion has been in the northwest
section. while last year the county outside
the old city limits claimed the lions share
of building operations. Last year in August
there were no permits issued for new apart
ment houses. During the month just end
ed permits were granted for ten apart
ment houses of total value of $251,OO0.
Comparative figures, carried out further,
show also that work was begun on eighty
six brick dwellings, of a value of S29l.9oO
last MONTH as against sixty-nine brick
dwellings. of value of $23S.020. started in
August 1904. Sixty frame dwellings. valued
at $131, $50 were projected last month a
year ago forty-five new frame houses, val
ued at $127, 49, were started One hundred
and fourteen permits for brick additions
and repairs were issued in August, 1905.
against 104 in 1904 Seventy-six frame ad-
ditions and repairs were planned last
month, as compared with ffty-eight dur
ing the same time in 1904.
Moore & Hill. real estate brokers, report
a heavy business for the beginning of the
fall season. William A. Hill, the vice pres
ident of this company. speaking of the con-
ditions, said:
Business has started off with fine pros
poets. In fact business has been about as
lively during the entire summer as 1t is dur
ing the brisk season, SO much so That we
had to cut our vacations short The rent
ing demand even surpasses that of the sew
ape rtments so far seems to be phenomenal.
We rented all but two apartments in two
large apartment houses during the month OF
August before the buildings were finished
and have rented quite number in other
buildings that will not be finished before
October Is or November 1.
1.-The demand for homes of low and me-
diuni prices Is very active. Many persons
who have been renting for years are real
izing how easily home can be acquired on
the accommodating terms now offered to
the home buyer. Unquestionably more for
the money Is obtained now than ever before,
the builders being satisfied with a much
lower profit. The progressive builders
make their profit in the aggregate now
where several years ago the demand did not
Justify investments in this line on a large
scale"
Among the recent sales made by Moore &