Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09

general government shall put up a dollar
for every dollar appropriated by Congress
and not for every dollar raised by taxa
ton. it does not follow always that because
the receipts from taxation are greater that
the money available for public uses will
also be greater. Still the appropriation
especially in later years, keep within a
fair distance of the revenue of the Dis
trict, unless extraordinary expenditures
not properly to be met from current reve-
nues, are taken in account.
There is one consolation about any pos
sible surplus, and that Is it remains safely
In the treasury and Is not looted as would
be the case, together with a great deal
more, IL the city affairs were managed here
as they are in most American cities. what
ever may be said about this form of gov
eminent, it is at least honest and there Is
a smaller percentage of the public FUNDS
diverted from legitimate, objects than under
any form of municipal government that
has yet been devised in any part or the
world.
Christmas in the Market.
The approach of the Christmas holidays
Is generally supposed to be marked by
letting up in the activity in the real estate
market. People are thought to have their
minds, to say nothing of their pocketbooks,
entirely taken up and mortgaged by the
obligations of the season to buy things.
For this reason it Is sometimes said that
the real estate Is Quli anu Lidt dItei
the stress of gift-buying Is over then the
minds will be turned once more to the
realty market.
There is something in this account of the
influence of the Christmas season on the
market; still sufficient account Is not taken
of the changes which the latter has I'M
dergone in the past few years, SO that Its
offerings are no longer outside of the pos
sibilities of Christmas giving.
OF course. it is not meant to say that
houses and lots have become so cheap that
they can be given outright for Christmas
presents, except, of course, among the very
wealthy. 1t Is true, however, that 1t is
possible now to get more for ones money
in the form of a house than it has been
possible for years past.
Everyone Has a Chance.
The houses that are now on the market
for sale are not only well designed and
planned, but they are offered on such at
tractive terms that it is possible for any,
one that Is at all thrifty to enter upon the
task of buying one with very reasonable
prospect of succeeding.
1t is this phase of the market that gives
1t an appropriate place among the objects
that may legitimately appeal TO the sea-
sons buyer. While n. house is a little too
large for the average stocking, still 1t can
be placed alongside of one and the slight
circumstance of the misfit would not be
noticed by the recipient in the joy of such
an unexpected and welcome gift.
Believes in 10Th Street.
A member of the Sixteenth Street I'M
provement Associat ton sends to The Star
the following reasons why that thorough
fare will be one of the finest avenues in
the United States. First because it is 160
feet wide, seven miles long. and contains
four rows of trees. Second because it is
centrally located and runs in straight
limo no White HnuSa n no Dist rio
line. Third, because 1t is perfectly drained
and in every respect hygienically sur
rounded the upper part having the in
fuence of the fine air flowing over the LIDO
acres Of Rock Creek Park. Fourth, be-
cause it will be the broad driving boulevard
leading most directly to the Rock Creek
Park, which it borders for over three miles,
and located like the Champs Elysee at
Paris, the 9th avenue in New York, etc.
Fifth, because the surface grade and gen
eral topography are perfect. Sixth be-
cause it will forever need and contain no
railway excepting at crossings. Seventh,
because 1t at present contains no unslghtly
houses that cannot be easily removed
Eighth, because it contains no stores.
Ninth because on its entire length the
street contains open spaces suitable for
landscape decoration about handsome
houses. Tenth, while the few other streets
of the city of similar width are splendid In
the way of fine residences for certain dis
tances, the possibility remains alone for
from one end to the other. A model ave-
nue. controlled and regulated by wise legiS-
lation and expert advising committees"
Good Building Conditions.
Official reports of building construction in
some fifty leading cities throughout the
country compiled by the American Con-
tractor indicate that the building industry is
In a fourishing condition and in somewhat
greater volume than In November, 1904.
While about dozen cities of the fifty show
a decrease compared with November, 1904, |
the balance show decided gain, running as
high as 449 per cent in Omaha. A general
average through the entire list presents a
very favorable aspect
Among the cities most conspicuous for In |
creased building construction are: Balti- |
more, "a per cent; Buffalo, IS; Chattanooga,
1888; Cincinnati, &c; Davenport, 104; Denver,
223; Detroit, 81; Duluth, 81; Harrisburg, 20; !
indianapolis, rs; Jersey City, no. Louisville |
81; Manchester, 152; Milwaukee, Al; Mobile |
81; Newark 43; New York, so; Philadelphia,
II; Pittsburg, 43; st. Louis, IS; St Paul
1871; San Francisco SO; Scranton, 105; Seat
tie, q; Spokane, 113; South Bend 142; To-
peka, so; Terre Haute, 90; Washington, 152;
Worcester, ia; Wilkesbarre, PSI. The fig
ures from Denver, Los Angeles, San Fran
cisco, Pittsburg, Washington, and especially
of st. Louis, show extraordinary build
ing activity, considering the population in
volved. Denver scored the heaviest build
building and construction has been salts
factory and there is no sign of a let-up In
the near future.