The Washington times., 1908-12-12
What Transactions There
Were Emphasize Growth
of Home Sections.
VALUES IN DISTRICT
STEADILY INCREASING
High Valuation Placed Upon
Downtown Property by Experts
Creates Big Surprise

The week in the local realty field has
been generally uninteresting. but never
theiess marked by considerable activity
In deals of moderate size.
The developments Of the past few
days have served to emphasize anew
the extraordinary opportunities which
have been seized here in the past, and
which are now beginning to bear fruit.
There has been sufficient home buy
ing to indicate, as far as may be done
in one week, continuation Of the
remarkable outward growth Of the resi-
dental sections OF the District To this
have been added many inquiries, which
brokers say indicate that the invest
ment buying will continue to be a sub
stantial part Of the real estate business
done in Washington
one OF the Developments Of the week
was the establishing of the fact that
land values in the District are increas-
ing This has been asserted by realty
experts for months. but In especially
one case IT has become a court record
II developed in the District Sunrena
Court, where testimony was baing
taken regarding the value of certain
real estate on the south side of AIassa-
chusetts avenue. between North CanitoI
street and New Jersey avenue. which is
10 be condemned by the Government
10 widen street
Experts Testify
The point is made here thar sa,.araI
realty experts testified that the ground
10 De condemned and other land in the
Heishoorhood had greatly increased in
Nalue since the Union Station was con-
suucted and various other improve
Iheh's made in that section OF the CITY.
ne property has become available for
business purposes, whereas formerly II
was almost without value in that re
spect What is true In that neizhbor-
mood Is also true Of other parts OF the
District Among the experts who testi-
heH were Harold + Doyle. FranL, 4
Jones, Lawrence o. MaHery. w. X FL
lis, George G. Brown. William b. Tur-
pin, and G. b. Caywood
Al about the same time somewhat OF
4 surprise was created by the develop
LuSIIt OF tne TACT that the Government
VIII De Obliged to pay much more 1han
vas expected for the five squares bound
su py fourteenth street, the Mall Fiji
Ieenth street. and Pennsylvania avenue
IN Jhe course Of the hearings being con
uucIed by the commission appointed TO
dppTalse the value OF the properties ex-
pert testimony was given that IN will
COST the Government more than 81 600 OO0
10 purchase square 30 alone This is the
most distant from Pennsylvania avenue
OF the hVe squares within the bounda-
RES named The value OF the square
was placed at an average Of S7Y per
s4SIre root and ran as high as SO in
some instances The total appropria-
IOn Tor the i've squares was only $500
wv ana as one Of them fronts along the
Avenue, the indications are that Con-
greSs must eventually make a much
larger sum available if the land is TO
be acquired.
Big Office Building.
More Of private enterprise was that
which contemplates the construction OF
a ten-story or twelve-story office build
ing in which the Southern Commercial
Congress will have its Headquarters. II
Is stated that S1,O0Q,OOo or more will be
spent on the building and site the
money to be raised by subscriptions
among the business men Of the Soutb.
Ine congress has been permanently or
ganiZed, and as its chief aim is the pro-
motion OF all that pertains 20 the
commercial and industrial advantages
or the South, the promoters have decid- |
ed Jhat an effort TO establish a perma-
nent home in Washington. where the
advantages offered in the South may be |
kept constantly before the public. is the !
most promising move they can make
II Is understood that the building will |
be constructed in a central part OF the |
city The plan is Of general interest. /
therefore, as involving the purchase Of |
expensive property and whatever de-
tails are usually involved In such a deal. |