Evening star., 1908-12-12

An interesting development is in prog
ress in the portion of the city west or
18th street and south of Pennsylvania
avenue. In many particulars the changes
made there are not new, as they GATE
back several years; in fact, ever since
the wholesome effect of the reclamation
of the Potomac flats became manifest. Inc
prevalence of malaria in this city was
attributed during the years of agitation
to the low. marshy ground and partially
submerged lands which then formed the
borders of the. city from 18th street south
beyond the old Long bridge.
With the stretch of land brought above
the level .of the water and thoroughly
drained and planted with shrubbery ana
trees. it was argued that the breezes from
the south during the greater portion or
the wear would not carry into the houses
that lay to the north the miasma that
arises in swampy localities. What was
predicted has proved true; at any rate'
there has been since the change was MACE
marked decrease In malaria IN this city
and instead of the disease being an an
nual occurrence it has almost disdp-
peared.
Run Down at the Heels.
While the entire city at least in its
western section was affected by the un-
favorable conditions, yet 1t seems that
the immediate section fell more directly
under the ban OF popular distrust, and
instead of being a place where persons OF
the more exclusive sort had their homes
it began to be avoided as residence
locality and gradually it ran down and
became frdZZled.
Almost as soon as the SWampS along
the river were obliterated change was
noticeable which was not surprising, be-
cause of the neglected and dlscredlted
condition of property. values mad 1allen
off and land could be bought Tor what
seemed mere song as compared with
the scale of prices elsewhere Men VINO
build to sell turned their attention that
way, and began to acquire land and TO
build houses. At first this was done
rather cautiously. as If 1t was an expert
ment as to whether or not it would be
possible to get people back to locality
which once had been favored residence
section and then had lost standing.
Bad for Quinine Trade.
The new buildings at first kept near
the south line of Pennsylvania avenue
and did not venture much beyond. After
awhile the public began to find it could
live there without laying / ma supply OF
qunine each year. and so the structures
that were built were occupied and others
were started and gradually the bounds Of
the new activity moved south. The ex-
tension of the Capital Traction Company S
line through the section helped the move
ment. and when the apartment house
came to town. in earnest, which was
about the year 1901, it found its way
in that locality and has done very well
there.
The building of apartment houses and
dwellings, has gone right on and now
that part of the city is much changed and
certainly almost completely modernized.
1t is possible to see here and there the
large roomy houses with ample grounds
about them. reminders of period when
there were not quite as many inha bitants
and more elbow room than at present.
These Old homes give sort OF flavor to
the locality. but they no longer dominate
it.
New Business Section.
There is still another change in progress
due to the character of the opera
tions in realty in the portion south of T.
street and extending TO the borders of
the new Potomac Park. The 18th
street front from New York avenue south
to the park is taken up. with the excep-
tion of one square. by the Corcoran Art