Evening star., 1909-05-22
DEED PLACED ON RECORD
FOR TRANSFER OF ARMORY
Building Purchased by Thomas Ridgate for Specu-
lation Plans for New Residence - The
City CARRIED in Summer Foliage.

During the week the transaction involv-
Ing the transfer of the title to the Ma
tional Rifles Armory, on G street be-
tween 9th and 10th streets northwest. was
closed by placing on record the deed. By
this instrument the National Rifles Hall
Association transfers to Thomas II. Rid
gate the property in question. The con-
sideration is not named, but is said to
have been about $40 per square foot,
which would make the total about $4,000
1t is stated the purchaser bought the
property for an investment The sale
was made by the Charles Early Com
pany, real estate brokers.
A garage house is being built from
plans prepared by B. Stanley Simmons,
architect, on the rear Of the lot on which
the residence of Robert N. Harper stands.
at the southeast corner of 10th and
Church streets. 1t is one-story struc-
ture, and will be OF a style and built of
material that will bring it in harmony
with the general style of the residence,
which is colonial.
Large New Residence.
The purchaser Of large building site
at the northeast corner OF 18th and r
prepared by George o. Totten, architect,
for a residence to be erected there for his
own use. 1t is not the intention to oc-
cupy the entire frontage with the build
ing, as it is over 200 feet in extent, but a
sufficient width will be taken to provide
for a house of generous proportions.
The design of the house will be that
which has come into. general use in this
city of late years, several examples Of
which may be seen in the Sheridan Circle
section. The principal entrance will be
on q level with the street. and there will
be rooms on the basement floor for the
use of guests on social occasions. The
stairway will be In the center Of the
house, thus leaving the full width of the
second or parlor floor available for gen.
erous sweep or succession of rooms.
The exterior will be treated in stone of
light shade.
Plans of Mr.. Walsh.
Early in the coming fall it is proposed
to make such changes in the building at
the northwest corner of New York ave-
nue. and 14th street, known as the oxford
Hotel. as will make 1t better adapted as
an income producer In order to bring
about such result it may be that the
owner of the property, Thomas +. Walsh,
will decide to erect an entirely new struc-
ture there.
Both plans are under consideration, and
ter, are to be studied by T. 4. Wicker
sham. the representative of Mr.. Walsh
in realty matters. A decision will then
be made as TO the extent and the charac-
ter of the improvements.
The Spectacle of the Foliage.
The variety in the forms as well as the
grace of the massing of the foliage along
city streets and in city parks Is never
ending source of wonder and admiration.
With every street banked, as it were.
with greenery and the vistas closed with
groupings of shrubbery and flowers, it is
not surprising that nature In its spring
garb should be the dominant element in
the impression which the city makes In
fact the architectural form of the houses
and of buildings have but little influence
In, the spectacle of the city, for these
works of man serve now, in the midst
OF the luxuriance Of nature merely as
incidents. rs details only In the compost
ton which has such charm and grace.
One walks beneath tho overspreading
and arching branches of the trees. with
the sunlight working graceful patterns
of mingled light and shade across the
pathway, and yet the feet are all the
lime on the hard pavement of the city
sidewalks. and there are the regular curb
lines binding the formal surface of the
paved roadway. Above and about, as
one casts his eye. he is in the midst of a
forest and is walking through shady
vistas in the woods and yet he is in the
crowded haunts of men.
A Charming Washington Paradox.
This paradox of a city and yet the
country can only be found in Washing
ton. and at this season of the year the
surprising completeness of rural sur
roundings in the midst Of a great popu,
lation can be seen at its perfection. The
opening of each year appears to mark
the highest point attained BY the city
in loveliness. Next year the charm Of
the spring and of the summer will seem
to have enhanced. and so II will be next
year and the next. For the trees con-
tinue to flourish. and it is their beauty
and grace that constitute the glory OF
the city. ..-
There is no display equal to that of the
trees In this city. in form and nxuriance
OF foliage the variety is never ending,
and one never tires of them, for these
masses of greenery rest the tired eye and
also the tired brain. There is the va
riefy which is due to different ages OF
tho trees. and then there is that which
comes from differing nature. The ma e
nifcent e!ms adorIl some of the city
streets and are found in some of the