The Washington times., 1905-09-24
UNCEAS|NG CRY
FOR CHEAP FLATS
These and Cheap Houses
Wanted by Hundreds.
SUPPLY ENTIRELY UNEQUAL
Retaliation of Contention That Apart
ment House Building Is Being
Overdone

overcome.
II will give one hundred dollars TO any
man who will tell me where l can get
one hundred cheap houses or flats for
renting"
This remark. uttered by a well-known
real estate broker. may serve as an In
PRODUCTION to what is to follow, all the
more as the wish there expressed Will
be echoed by every broker in the city of
Washington
In the course of the fiscal year ended
June 80 1906 the office of the Inspector
of Buildings issued permits for the
erection of apartment houses that ag
gregated in value not less than $3.oSl 100.
and as these permits were less than sew
: enty i'm number, it will be seen that ac-
tivity in this department of building OPP
Z erations was by no means at its height
Ii appears from Inspector Ashford's
report that the capital involved was dis
trfbuted as follows: Northwest. s1.49S.-
SEQ; northeast. s115.sOO; southeast. s115.S0o;
southwest. 500. 600; county, s1.s13.oo0
Good Investment in Suburbs
1t is TO be supposed that under the
head OF county is classed all the ter
ritcry lying north of Florida avenue
Assuming this to be the case. the fig
ures adduced give force to what has
been repeatedly pointed out in these col
unns. namely. that in this outlying ter
ritory is the greatest field for profitable
investment in real estate. Some of the
best apartment houses have been bullt
in this area, and there is not the least
doubt BIZ; that many more will follow
il the near future.
To return, however, to the remark OF
the broker quoted above, ii proves that
the supply of apartments. especially OF
those rentabie IT a fairly moderate
figure is as yet very far from satisfying
the demand. In this fact is found the
very strongest reputation of the aSSer-
ton so frequently uttered by the doubt
ing Thcmases OF cur city that the build
ing of apartment houses of every descrip-
ton IS being overdone and that the
inevitable reaction is bound to set in
sooner or litter. The novelty of this new
way of housing families is given as one
of the reasons for what these good
people are pleased to designate as an
ephemeral rush for flats AS soon as
this wears OFF. they say. hundreds OF
these apartments will be tenantless
and people will return TO houses OF
their own. large or small. as the case
may be.
Just Beginning.
An altogether different view. however,
is taken by a good many people VINO
have taken careful note of the trend or
current events and who also are per-
sonally cognizant OF the history OF
apartment house building in other large
cities of the United States, especial
" Europe They contend that Washing
ton is just beginning 10 see the erection
Of apartment houses. and they view with
great satisfaction the fact that space
here is not yet so congested as 10 make
tmpracticaole the erection of the cheap
err two-stoiy structures which at a mod
crate rental will make profitable re-
turn to their owners. There are two
powerful GAUGES creating the demand
for apartment houses of every descrip-
ton; to Wit, comparative cheapness OF
housing tie family and the elimination
of the servant problem.
There is one shrewd housewife-and
her husband. by the way, is a real
eastate broker-who has figured it out
TO her satisfaction that one can AFFORD
10 pay SO more a month for fat than
Tor a house OF the same size. and yet
save money by the operation. No house
III Elm VI seven EOOlAAS, llAiS 5NNn- @--~1
contends. can be heated and the kitchen
range supplied with coal with less than
one and :. quarter tons month
Saving Money.
This at che present price of coal would
Of itself almost effect the saving OF $40
Besides not as much gas need be burned
in fiat as in a house. because for one
thing. there is but one hall to be lighted
and in other ways economy can be prac
tised The most important item OF saw
in grnorey and-what is of no less value
worry-is the servant 10 be dispensed
-,A& ia a well arranged fat. The cost Of
a servant, counting wages, board an6
wasteage, is not less than SIS 10 go {
month. 1t would seem as If the lady II
question had made good her claim II
favor of the apartment house.
II is precisely these considerations tina
predispose people in favor of living II
anartmeut houses. II is admitted tina
they have their drawbacks as well. bu
these. IL is claimed. are more than over
balanced by the advantages From thi
viewpoint, therefore. apartment houses
hid fair TO grow in popularity and, par
nassu. Investment in that class OF prop
erty Is likely 10 continue for lon'
time TO come
Plans for New Bank.
The officials and promoters or IN
National City Bank are looking anx
to,,slv forward 10 the day when tn
building purchased by them from IN
American Security and Trust COMPANY
can be vacated by the latter. so as L
enable the new financial institution Il
move into It's quarters and settle dowl
10 business. 1t viii be probably the en'
of October. IL not even later, ere TIL
will happen. because the trust com
nany's new building az New York ave
nue. and Fifteenth street VIII not b
ready fo, occupancy for several weeks
In the meantime. however. Architect
Stanley simmons is pusily engaged i
making plans for fitting the interio
lust as soon as IL - turned over I
him. Nc, changes will be made on IN
front of the building save the erasio
OF the trust company's name and IN
substitution therefor or the banks. Ho'
Tho from will aDpear then is shown i