Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-09

which has frontage OF some twenty -eish'
feet he intends to erect three-story
building which. as 1t will adjoin his present
place of business. will be used as an addi-
ton to IT, at least as far as the first story
is concerned. The upper floors will be ar
ranged as apartments
Making a Good Appearance.
1T is declared to be sound business pol
ICY" said a man who deals largely in
realty mot to try to handle vacant prop
erty without first putting 1t in building
shape. The property that Is graded, sodded.
planted with trees and equipped with side
walks and sewer connection sells more
easily and at the best prices. The day of
selling virgin soil is past.
What | am trying to deduce just now is
an old story to the best realty agents, but
II can't be told too often to property own
ers. because they do not seem to appreciate
that the same conditions apply to houses
and lots. Keep your houses and lots in
good shape. and they will sell better If you
want to sell. and they will be worth more
il you want to keep them.
THE first appeal to the eye" said he,
has tremendous bearing on the value of
the property. The increment which it adds
is out of all proportion to the actual ex-
pense of putting the property in presentable
shape
The Influence on Values.
Because of the effect values of the
clean or dirty condition of houses and
premises every property owner has part
nership interest in the appearance of his
neighbours property. Conditions of the in
dividual properties then have a bearing on
communities. In turn the aggregate effect
OF the property conditions in communities
affects the entire city, and all of Its prop
erty. favorably unfavorably.
prosperity is 'shooed away by the run
down appearance of property. as it is by
the general fagged-out looks of a man. You
can readily see this if you go into my BUSH
ness. Take a bright-looking, well-repaired,
wholesome appearing house and yard IN
any neghborhood. and 1t sells quicker than
the other and at a much better price. The
discount agent must give for lack of re-
pairs is far greater than the repairs would
cost
(Which house will a prospective buyer
look at most closely-an old one or a new
one? a child could answer that. The
moral, then, IS to keep house looking ike
new
The Rock Creek Problem.
The best method of treating Rock Creek
SO that 1t may be more generally adapted
to modern conditions than 1t is In its pres
ent shape has so often come up for discus
sion in recent years that no doubt some
people who only remotely come in contact
with this situation are inclined to look upon
II rather tiresome topic. The fact
however. is that, instead of being thread
worn, antiquated subject, it is one of the
liveliest and most vital in connection with
the material development of the city. The
agitation over Roch Creek is merely one
phase of the growth of the great Washing
ton, which includes. of course, the sister
city the west side of the creek.
1t Is possible for those whose ways of life
do not make it necessary to have an init
mate knowledge to get some Idea of the
present situation by spending a short time
In the vicinity of the waterway that sep
arates what were formerly the two distinct
municipalities of Washington and George
town. 1t would soon become evident, even
after very casual observation, that the
present facilities for the accommodation of
the people who are obliged for one reason
or another to travel between the two sec
lions of the city are entirely inadequate.
Better Facilities Needed.
1t will be found that this is the reason
why this subject comes up for discussion
and agitation before Congress, and that
will be the reason why some heed will be
paid to 1t before long. AS 1t is now there
are only three bridges connecting these two
important parts of the city. and all of these
are practically between what are now look
ed upon as the downtown parts of the two
places. The possible exception to that
statement Is the p street bridge, and while
that joins the upper portion of Washington
with Georgetown, yet 1t does not lead as
directly as 1t is thought would be possible
into the residence section of Georgetown.
Better means of communica ton are need
ed-that is evident for the population has
grown that now Washington. with its
rows of houses, has already come down to
the banks of the stream. and the expansion
OF the population of the sister section Is
we'll known. There has been no sufficient
provision to supply the needs of this popu
lation, and SO IL is that the agitation has
arisen and will continue to arise until
something Is done to meet this public need.
Some Plans Proposed.
There Is no lack of suggestions of how
this can be DONE but what people on both
sides OF the crek want. 1t is pointed out. is
relief from a situation which is of daily en-
barrassment and delay. There are those
who want the entire valley OF the creek
filed up and the waters carried along by
means of a tunnel cuvert such as has
been built at the crossing of Massachusetts
avenue. In that case the buildings on each
side can be brought together and the two
places made one in reality as well as in
name.
On the other hand there are those who
claim that there are certain natural adj
Yantages about the gorge of Rock Creek
which ought not to be thrown away by any
such method the proposed 1t Is
pointed out that the banks of that stream
can be made beautiful and picturesque in
spite of the ash dumps that now dsigure
the landscape. and they claim that 1t would
be folly for this city to destroy place of
natural beauty which In other cities would
be purchased at large outlay OF the pub
lie funds
A Beautiful Park.
park and driveway along the banks of
Rock Greek Is what some people think Is
the proper treatment of that waterway
and II that Is done with the section south
Of Massachusetts avenue, then the entire
length Of the creek from Its mouth to the
bounds OF the District would pass through
territory owned by the public and would be
forever preserved as place of recreation
and pleasure for the people
But what about the meantime? may be
asked. Those who favor such a plan say
let bridges be erected wherever they are
needed. They can be built of iron at a
comparatively low cost, and then with this
provision for the needs OF the present let
the acquisition OF the ground and execution
OF the balance OF the scheme await the good
time of the legislators.
Would Make It Park.
What is thought by one individual in re-
gard to the advisability of this treatment Of
the Rock Creek problem may be had from
the following statement made by Mr.. Jo-
seph c. Hornblower: