The Washington times., 1907-09-22
SHOWS REALTY
TQBE PROFITABLE,
SAFE INVESTM ENT
Out Of Town Capitalist Con-
WINGED by Washington
Friend.
Government Like Huge and
Never Failing Industrial
Plant.

Having q desire TO invest q portion OF
his surplus in Washington real estate,
AT out-of-town capitalist communicated
with a friend. a well-known business
man here. asking him If investments in
washington realty were good and prof
liable. After making judicious inquiries.
aided by his own knowledge of the
values OF the last two decades. the
friend replied, dividing the question into
several heads, and giving reasons IN
each case why he believed not only that
real estate investments were prohtaoie'
hut why they have the added advantage
Of being entirely safe-a condition which
in other communities dependent largely
on the demand for manufactured prod
ucts OF the success or failure OF large
enterprises does not always obtain.
The replies were convincing, and since
that time several important deals that
have been duly chronicled are the re-
suit OF the correspondence.
Capital of Nation.
OF course, the FIRST reason advanced
was the one that this is the Capital OF
the Nation. and the growth and pros
perlty Of all capitals are coincident with
the growth OF countries. Every month
there is a tremendous sum disoursed by
the Government to its employees, and
whether times are good or bad this goes
On in a -ceastng golden stream
which makes for the prosperity Of
the community. The Government was
ukened to a great Industrial concern.
having the advantage of being entirely
free from strikes, business depressions,
or anv other Of the many misfortunes
which come upon less favored communi-
ties. Taking into consideration how
much this affects many cities, it will be
readily seen how great an advantage
lies with Washington.
The constant increase in population
was also given as a factor which natur-
ally exerts a commanding influence on
investments depending upon rapid in
creases of the city's population. 1t was
pointed out that every ten years. accord
ing 10 the Government census. new
CITY as large as Duluth. Mimi. Harris
burg, Pa: Savannah. Ca, or Portland,
Ne, or others that might 0e named,
is ADDED to The citys growth, requiring
new houses. new stores. schooIhouses,
churches. and all the thousand and one
other things required FOR the housing
and welfare OF the vast assemblage
OF people.
a Md0 ItNuAANQ lAlaNf eAN+AeNr7AA 49, -
had been heard for the last forty years
that the city was being overbuilt. 1t
was a fact well attested by all who took
the trouble to make inquiries chat never
before had desirable houses and apart
ments or store properties been in such
demand and so difficult TO procure.
Advance in Values.
Coming down to specific instances It
was pointed out that not more than a
quarter OF a century ago property on
+ street, the financial thoroughfare Of
the city, could be had at $3.50 per foot.
while within a year Sc has been paid
for a choice corner. On G street similar
conditions exist, ground bringing from
SIP TO SIS per foot that within a decade
could have been bought for less than
half that sum. Probably the most strik-
ing Instances are the rapid advance Of
the corner Of Fifteenth and II streets,
now being improved with the Union
Trust building. the Halls Of he Ancients
property. in New York avenue. which in
but little over one year had more than
doubled in value. and the valuable cor
ner OF Fourteenth and G streets. now
occupied by the Commercial Rank build
ing. The figures on these cases we're
quoted as evidencing the rapid advance
in values that applied to business prop
critics il the new business section
In the residential section It was shown
that as a general proposition. the same
prosperity existed. Not so long ago 81
end 50 per foot was quoted as an ex-
travagant price for ground In the more
fashionable section, which today COM
- - l.
modest localities. ground at s. per foot
f. considered reasonably cheap. while
within the confines II the city It Is not
believed that any ground is for sale at
less than 81 per foot
Farms Cut Up Into Lots.
Going out into the suburbs the wonder
fuI strides in that direction, due to the
extension largely OF the trolley system.
has made acreage property entirely too
valuable to be retained in that form
and now farms that a few years ago
were considered extravagantly high at
$500 per acre. are selling readily in small
parcels at ten times thai amount.
Turning 10 the investment side and
the return made upon the money, It
was shown that rents. while not exor-
bitant. were commensurate with values
and paid a good return on the sum in
vested. Then. too. the certainty Of
wages and the better rates paid TO the
wage-earners OF this city by comparison
With many others, enabled owners to
secure good return. with the assur-
snce always OF making but small losseg
BY reason Of delinquent tenants
Looking at Il from any angle Il was
argued that Washington property, a.
an investment was cafe, profitable. ano
in every respect desirable and as stated
at the outset. was so convincing that
the inquirer, like many other wealthy
men from the different parts Of the
country saw the advantages offered and
Invested in Washington realty.
PLANS ApA2TArrv1r youer