davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Some Recent Large Purchases
of Land.
FUTURE IMPROVEMENT
PROPOSED STEEL PLANT AND IT'S
LOCATION HERE
The Investment Character of Buying
That Marks the Realty Market
in This City.
FUTURE IMPROVEMENT

1t Is understood that Mrs. Somers of the
Mt. Vernon Seminary has about concluded
a series of purchases of land which gives
her the control of the square bounded by
23d, 9th Irving and Wyoming streets.
| Washington Heights, or, more properly
speaking, Belair Heights. The land in
question lies about the boundary line
between these two subdivisions, and the
square to the west is the one recently pur-
chased by John Hays Hammond, the South
African mining operator
The land alone represents an expendi-
ture, 1t is estimated, of more than one
hundred thousand dollars. Plans are now
under consideration by Mrs. Somers for a
building to be erected there for the use
of the seminary, which is now located at
18th and NJ streets northwest. Building
operations are to be begun. as soon as the
weather permits. This extensive series of
purchases was made through the Swart-
Zell Rheem and HenSey Company.
In addition to the changes in the owner
ship of property made in that locality and
noted above, 1t is stated that a good many
lots have changed hands, and while to a
large extent this movement is specula-
tive, based upon the improvements that
are in contemplation, 1t is thought that
this section, which is now entirely unim-
proved, is likely to be developed somewhat
during the coming year.
Metropolitan Club Building.
The removal OF the ruins of the old homo
| of the Metropolitan Club at the southwest
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
RAILWAY OFFICIALS INDICTED.
c., B. and @. Men Accused Of Granting
Rebates.

The federal grand jury at Chicago has
returned an indictment against the Chi
cago. Burlington and Quincy railroad. Da-
RUS Miller. first vice president, and C. G.
Burnham. foreign freight agent on the
charge of granting railroad rebates
In the indictment 1t is charged that the
rebates were oil granted to the United
States Steel Products Company of New
York. a subsidiary company to the United
States Steel Corporation. Twenty-six sep
arate .offenses are charged
1t is further charged that by an agree
ment between the defendants and a num-
Der of connecting railroads, joint tariff
was made and filed with the interstate
commerce commission. The freight rates
We're paid, 1t is declared In the indictment,
according to the tariff, but afterward a re-
bate of about 80 per cent WAS allowed to
the shipper.
AS soon as the indictment was laid be-
fore Judge Bethea, in the United States
Circuit Court he fixed bonds of Sc, 600 In
each case, and the officials of the Burling-
ton road were notified TO call and give bail
Of $40. 600, which they agreed to do with
out delay.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
cUMMINs HITS AT ROOSEVELT.
Iowa Executive Declares Dolliver
Rate Bill a Subterfuge.

Gov A B. Cuulmns made a sensational
attack on President Roosevelt's rate-regu-
lation program in a carefully prepared
speech which he delivered at Des Moines,
Iowa, last night. 1t was over the shoulder
of Senator Dolllver, whose bill Gov. Cum
minis denounced as a rank subterfuge, care
fully designed to eliminate serious oppo-
sition on the part of the railroad interests
In Congress, that the states head hit at
the President. It was the understanding
of those who attended the meeting that the
President had espoused the Dolliver bill,
and the effect of Mr.. Cummins utterances
was, therefore, the more sensational.
In support of his charge that the bill
would In no wise remedy the evils that now
affiict Iowa stock raisers, the governor ex-
planned that 1t is necessary to empower the
Interstate commerce commission or some
other similar body to establish a minimum
rate, else the railroads can continue to
favor one locality over another quite as
much as now.
ANY town-Des Moines, for instance
said Gov CumminS would be enabled by
the Dolliver bill TO complain that its own
rate was too high and have the commission
pass upon this claim. But the commission
could not rule at the same time that the
Omaha rate was far too low and must be
raised. Suppose 1t is found that the Des
Moines rate is higher than the actual cost
of the transportation would warrant and 1t
is actually reduced. There is nothing to
prevent the railroads yielding to pressure
from any interests in behalf of Omaha, to
correspondngly reduce the Omaha rate and
thereby continue the grossly unfair dlscrim-
nation"
Gov Cummins will ask for denomination
for governor at the next republican conven-
ton A long-mooted question has thus
been decided. 1t will be necessary to over
turn the two-term precedent. and 1t is still
under debate whether the addition of one
year to Cummins' second term by the adop-
ton of the biennial elections amendment
makes Cumnnins already a thrd-termer.
and would make him a fourth-termer IL re-
elected.
Be that as 1t may. the governors con-
ferees have agreed. and he has acceded to
1t at last. that his only chance of MAIN
tanning his organization intact and thus
rendering certain his ultimate advancement
to the United States Senate-the one con-
surning ambition of his life-is to retain
the goxern9gship. He viii ask this on the
strength of his record of the last four years
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
TRAPPERs ARE PROSPEROUS.
Furs Worth More Now Than for Past
Thirty-Three Years.
From the Duluth HeraId.

From the Duluth Herald.
The many trappers operating in northern
Minnesota viii reap rich harvest the
present winter meaning many comforts
even Injuries, in the log cabins of scores
of sturdy settlers in the wilds of the north
ern country, who are mainly dependent
upon their traps during the cold months
for a livelihood.
The settlers and professionals In the
country directly tributary to Duluth look
for the most part to mink, marten and
otter to make their trapping operations
profitable, and the pelts Of these little ami
mails at present command a higher price
than at any time during the past thirty
three years, while there has been de-
cided slump IN the prices paid for furs from
the black, blue and silver fox, which bring
only $50 each now, where year or two
ago they were as high as $500 apiece.
Last winter $3.50 was considered a good
price for mink pelt, and it wasn't more
than season or two back that 50 so was
the highest paid for a single pelt of this
kind. Now a choice raw mink fur will
bring $11, and marten pelt from $1S to
$50, where Sc or 81 was paid last winter.
An otter skin is worth so just as it comes
from the trapper's hands. which Is away
above any price paid for more than thirty
years. Quite a few fisher are caught
through northern Minnesota, ana THESE are
worth from So to SO. Beaver are very
scarce in this state They are worth from
81 to so each.
The higher prices paid for furs will also
prove a boon to the Minnesota Indians, or
such of them at least as have any business
ability. a good many of the Indians trap
during the winter, but the trouble with
the majority of them is that they do not
know the value of their CATCH and are
likely to sell q SD otter pelt for "a or So,
and an S11 mink pelt for dollar, or per-
haps pint of whisky. The white man is
we'll aware of this fact and some agents
make 1t their business during the winter
to do nothing but buy furs of the Indians,
selling them later at handsome margin
of profit.
These agents usually travel from reser-
walton to reservation by dog team or snow
shoes
Even the little weasel, scores Of which
daily leave their tiny tracks in the snow
on the outskirts of the city, are worth 81
each for their pelts. They were valuless
three years ago, and two years ago were
worth 10 cents each. For time last
winter the pelts brought 90 cents each.
The weasel also belongs to the homologue
of the American sable, together with the
marten mink, fisher and otter. The Amer
to some authorities 1t is commonly called
the pine marten, and at first glance the
only distinguishing feature between 1t and
the mink is a spot of beautiful orange
color on its throat, just under the chin.
A grizzly bear skin is worth $40, If in
the best condition, but, of course, grizzly
bears are unknown in this state. Many
black bears are trapped and shot, how
ever, by settlers, Indians and trappers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30

corner of 18th and II streets is IN progress,
and when that is accomplished the site will
be prepared for the erection of a large and
commodfous building, which will be the
home of this organization The new struc-
ture will cost about $4,000 and will be an
attractive and notable addition to the
architecture of the city.
AS an Investment.
The existence of a demand for property
in this city for investment purposes is one
of the features of the market that is
looked upon as especially favorable Not
that 1t Is unusual or unknown, for If there
is one thing that more than another has
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
marked realty dealing In this city
1T has been in large part Its investment

1t has been In large part Its investment
character. The movement in property here
has always been marked by a degree of
conservatism that has prevented those
boom episodes which have been COM
mon elsewhere and which have proved to be
SO disastrous.
A generation ago when the great up
hcaVal took place that proved to be the
turning point in the material welfare of
the city speculation ran wild and enter
prises were entered into what proved to be
too large for this market; the result was
that the bottom, as 1t was called. of the
market dropped entirely out, and property
was sacrificed on any terms. 1t was abso-
luteiy necessary to sell, for those Who held
the title We're unable to pay the interest on
the trust. and there was no one that could
afford TO carry it for them; so there was
for time no scale of prices.
An Intelligent Conservatism.
This was more than quarter of a CEN
fury ago. and since the recovery from that
disaster, which took place in the course of
a few years, there has never been a re-
lapse. At times it seemed as if there was
going TO be a repetition of the wild specu-
lation of the earlier period was the ex-
perience in other cities but that extreme
was not reached. The movement here in
real estate has been conservative, and yet,
not too much so to prevent progress. The
demand has been met as 1t has arisen, and
the tendency to overdo has been arrested
before ii resulted in any injury to individ
uais or to the city.
1t was thought at one time the apart
ment house building movement had gone
too far and that too many of these build
ings had been erected. The operations for
a while We're checked IN order to If
there We're grounds for such fears, and
when they proved to be without support.
then the building operations were resumed.
1t is not held by any one that building of
this class has been overdone, although it
is probable there will not be as many put
up during the coming year as was the case
last year, for the reason that 1t is thought
it will be we'll to first find out whether there
is an actual demand for all that are now
In course of construction.
1t Is likely there will be a good many
houses put up, which since the advent of
the apartment houses are called Individual
houses, and 1t Is gratifying indication OF
the market that the increase in this class
of building IS due almost entirely to the
demand from people who want to buy
homes. The increase in the number of home
buyers is perhaps the best sign of the solid
and substantial character of the real estate
market that is afforded in its entire range.
The Home Buyer.
The investment feature, OF course, shows
the estimate in which realty IS held by
those who have money to invest, as also
deos the ease and freedom with which
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
Baltimore Tunnel Shaken.

Passengers in the waiting rooms and cafe
of Camden station at Baltimore were
startled early yesterday morning by the
roar of an explosion In the mouth of the
Baltimore and Ohio Belt Line tunnel. The
conclusion shook houses and cracked win
dow glass. and residents rushed from their
beds to learn what had happened. A car
next to the caboose of freight train pass
ing through the tunnel jumped the track
near the mouth and crashed into a big
compressed gas main of the car supply
service, which 1t burst. The gas, rushing
out in immense volume, ignited from q
lamp. causing the explosion. The caboose
was damaged and the glass In the tele-
graph box at the mouth of the tunnel was
shattered. The reverberation was deafen-
ing, but the timely arrival of the fire de-
partment and the prompt action of the
railroad men prevented serious blaze.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30

money can be obtained on the security of
real estate In the same way the amount
of building throws light on the activity of
the market, but after all the underlying
support of the market in this city as 1t
fs practically in all cities, Is the home buy
ing. A city of homes Is a city where prop
erty values a rule are firm and reliable.
The increase in this class is of the
signs of the times and Is brought about by
the increase in the population of the city,
the advantages that offered here as a
place of residence and the inducements that
are presented IN the form of easy terms of
payment.
A Rent-Collecting Scheme.
Members of the Milwaukee real estate
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30

options on other tracts OF land in the vi
entity are closed.
1t is understood the entire purchase will
include about 800 acres of land, and in adj
dition to that which was owned by Hen
riette Brent Keiskeu and which has al
ready been recorded, option has been
given by George j. Seufferle for the tract
owned by him and including the land at the
point Itself and also the tract owned by Mrs.
H. Ewing of Ohio.
1t is understood that 1t is the intention
to make use of the land between the river
and the railroad to locate the works of
the steel company, where will be made the
shells for the navy, and then on the other
side of the railroad the land will be sub
divided into lots, where houses will be
erected for the use of the workmen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
Earn Liberty by Their Courage.

Magistrate Barlow IN Jefferson Market
police court, in New York, yesterday dis
charged from the workhouse on Blackwelrs
Island four men whom he had committed
on various charges as a reward for serv-
ices performed at the fire In the womens
section of the workhouse early on the morn
ing of December 20. Those men worked
like heroes on the morning of the fire, and
regardless of the offenses for which they
were committed" said the magistrate, IT
now take great pleasure In setting them
free" The prisoners freed were Dennis
Ahearn, John Fleming, Henry Buckley and
Matthew WEIGH.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
board have lost track of the plan to form

board have lost track Of the plan to form
list of undesirable tenants, which should
be passed about in order that members ana
property owners might benefit by the infor-
nation and experience of the whole board.
The matter was referred to a committee
several months ago. but nothing has been
heard OF 1t since. The plan attracted con-
siderable attention. both among those who
We're interested in knowing whether such
list would be a blacklist and illegal as such
ana among those who wondered what inter
cstng descriptions of various families
would be recorded after the names.
Without formal action the board decided
that the ssame object could be attained
without using so conspicuous method.
There is IN Milwaukee a credit company
which Keeps the names of persons who do
net settle properly when they have debts.
The real estate men will work through this
agency.
Fittsburg Property Value.
The property at 415-41o 18th avenue, Pitts
burg, was recently sold for s275,0OO On the
lot, which is G0x1O0 feet, are two brick
buildings two stories high and one three
story brick building, all of which are occu-
pied as offices. The location is in the CEN
trail business and financial district of the
city. The price is at the rate of Sass a
front foot, or $40 SO a square foot, the latter
of which, especially. is considered a low fig
ure. Between Smthfield and Wood streets
the only lot on the market is the Shannon
building, 30XS5 feet, for which John G. Reilly
has declined an offer of S325, 600, or SIC, S33 a
front foot. For lots on either side of the
street in that square $4,000 foot has been
the minimum price mentioned for more than
year, the last purchase, by the Land Trust
Company, two years ago having been at
that figure.
New Buildings to Be Erected.
Plans are being prepared by b. Frank
Meyers architect. for twelve detached
houses. to he erected on the south side of
Park avenue between old 18th street and
new 18th street
The plans for the new car house and Of
fees for the Capital Traction Company
have been prepared by Wood, Dom & Dem
ing architects. The new structure Is to be
built on the property of the company, which
borders on the proposed extension of 14th
street and is beyond Piney branch.
The building will have a length of $50
feet and width of 200 feet.
Proposed Steel Plant Purchase,
The purchase of land by the Firth-Sterl
ing Company of McIIeesport, Pa, at Gels
boro Point, which was begun last week
when a deed for some seventy acres of
land was placed on record. is to be con-
tinued, 1t is thought, In the near future, as
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
Sons Of Jonadab Election.

Mr.. ID. J. Ratisan, worthy chief OF
Pioneer Council. No. /, of the Sons OF
Jorladab, was reelected at the meeting
held last evening at the temple of the or
ganzation, 623 Louisiana avenue north
west. The, other officers elected were as
follows: J. j. Kelley, vice worthy chief:
]. F. Harvey, worthy patriarch; William
F. Schooler, recording secretary: C. H.
Sawyer, financial secretary; It. j. Nc
Quade, treasurer; Robert L. Trick, guide;
William ]. Thomas, assistant guide; John
l.. Brenizer, inside watch w b. Clark
outside watch. and Edward Mullen, trustee
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30

provided that the eastern judicial district
shall comprise Baltimore, Hartford. Anne
Arundel. Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's, &C.
Dorchester. Wicomico, Somerset and
Worcester counties and that of the western
judicial district shall consist of Garrett.
Allegany. Washington, Frederick, Mont
gomery. Carroll, Prince George and How
ard counties.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
His Idea.

From the Detroit Free Press.
Teacher-"Johnny. what's the longest day
In the year?''
Johnny-"The day sefors christnasl'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
Delivered at Home.

One paper in the home % =
worth FIVE sold on the Streets
from an advertising standpoint.
The Star is delivered by carrier
into practically all OF the Washs
ington homes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
The Miners Union.

The miners union Will go on strengthen
Ing its organization numerically and finan-
cially, until it deems the time opportune
for making a demand that will mean more
than recognition, and when that time comes
the men will be In a position to back up
their demand with a strike. should it be
considered necessary, but for the present
peace is the watChwOrd.
Those who have made careful study
of the situation ana are able to view It
impartiauy do not hesitate to say that
1t would be good business policy on the
part Of the coal companies at this time to
enter into negotiations with the United Mine
Workers, not only for the immediate effect
1t would have on the stability of the coal
trade but for the advantages to be derived
from SUCH friendly relations in the future.
4 rational business understanding between
the opposing interests would be quite as
beneficial to the mine owners as to the
mine workers. 1t would eliminate from
the coal trade those periodical disagree
ments and rumors Of strikes, which are so
baneful to both sides, as wei as to bust
ness generally.
1t is sincerely hoped that President Baer
of the Reading may be included among the
"peacemakcrs'' when his opportunity ar
rives at the coming conference with Presi-
dent Mitchell for continuance of har-
monious relations in the anthracite valleys.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
He Goes Out.

He Goes Out.
From the Philadelphia Press.
That's pretty swell smoking jacket
you've got on said the caller.
Smoking jacket?' replied Henpeck, why,
this is my house coat"
well, that's the same thing
We'll, I guess 1t isn't the same thing; not
IN this house. When / want to smoke I
have TO put on my ovsrcoat"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
Anthracite Field Orderly.

The anthracite field, with its large cosmo-
politan population, has never been more or
derby than 1t has been since the advent OF
the United Mine Workers of America. This
may not concern the coal magnates par
ticularly, but it means a great deal to the
towns and hamlets Of the mining valleys.
We have not had during the past three
years In which the anthracite coal strike
commissions award has been in force any
Of the petty sporadic strikes that were so
frequent under the old g0-as-you-please
system. As consequence there has been
less turbulence, and good order has been
the rule.
Within short time the individual oper-
ator who has been a sort of feudatory
chieftain in the anthracite region, has been
obliterated.
The large companies have bought him
out, and there has been, to a large extent.
a consolidation of ownership. it is but
natural, therefore, that labor should con-
slider 1t prudent and desirable to organize
and take concerted action in dealing with
those powerful interests. While it NAV not
be admitted, there exists what might be
called coal trust, and it can hardly refuse
to recognize a labor trust, with ANYTHING
like consistency. But even should It refuse
such recognition, there will be no strike
next spring
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
No Logical Defense.


The mine owners could make no logical
defense against that charge. The miners
were then compelled 10 buy their powder
from the operators and pay more than
twice the market price for it. This injus-
tice was wiped out by the anthracite strike
commission created by President Roose-
welt, 1t was real wrong, but 1t has been
remedied, and new the matters in dispute
between employers and employed are large
ly sentimental.
First comes the question of recognizing
the union to the extent of negotiating with
It's officers This cannot be classed as
real grievance; certainly not of sufficient
magnitude to provoke a great strike and
cripple the country's fuel supply. Recog-
milton of the United Mine Workers on the
part of the operate for a business under
standing of their relations would seem con-
slstent, but even should 1t be refused that
fact viii not abolish the union. President
Mitchell and those who are cooperating
with him will continue their organization
and it will remain mighty factor in the
industrial life of the. coal region whether
recognized or
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30

Members of the Milwaukee real estate