Evening star., 1909-04-17
VIEW ON asTH STREET, RAINIER.
SIXTEENTH STREET SCENE
OF BUILDING ACTIVITY
Excavating in Progress for Two Large Dwellings.
Brokers Report Demand for Large Houses.

One Of the most active centers for
building operations at present, at least
in the more central portions of the city,
II the block ON 10th street between L
and NJ streets northwest. On the east
side the ground is being excavated for
the foundations of two large houses, one
for Mrs. Pullman and the other for Mrs.
Candee.
On the opposite side Of the street and
adjoining the northwest corner of 10th
and L streets. Senator William Alden
Smith of Michigan is making use of the
vacant lot that adjoins his home to the
north for the purpose Of providing an
addition to his house. The latter was
only recently completed by the senator
and this enlargement is going to add
to the facilities of his residence.
Further along to the north and In the
same block is thebuilding which Is the home
of the National Geographic Society. 1t
occupies a site at the southwest corner
of 10th and NJ streets. Recently some
acquired by the society. the purpose OF
which Is to protect the property interests
already there and also to provide the
space, II at>any time more room for the
clerical force Of the society should be
needed in the future. The organization Is
now the largest Of the kind in the world.
and it is still growing, so that 1t seems
wise to provide for the contingency when
order to properly carry on the work of the
society.
Market for Large Houses.
1t Is the experience of brokers having
houses of the larger sort for rent that the
past few weeks have developed quite
market for such property. although nor
hn
fall season, and then. too. quite late in
that period. The attention which has
been given the subject in the past weeks
by those who are expecting to have es-
adjustments in this city next winter was,
no doubt. due in part to the changes
which always take place at the beginning
of an administration. This is not as
revolutionary a time as one might ex-
pect, for, after ALL. the shifting about in
the public offices Is now confined to a
comparatively limited number.
At any rate the newcomers are obliged
to locate, and there are also certain
number Of houses which are to be given
up at the end of the season. In addi-
tion to the changes which are the i'm
mediate result of the recent election there
are always those who for one reason or
another decide to spend a season or SO
in Washington, and of course. they
must have houses. But the entire demand
on these accounts will not be supplied
at this time, as In many instances the
decision has been reached to postpone
taking on the cares of an establishment
until the coming fall.
Owing to the fact that four of the
nine members of the cabinet were already
residents Of this city. two of them men,
bers OF the council Of the recent Presi-
dent the demand for. houses from that
source has been lessened. Thus far only
one OF the five remaining members has
permanently decided upon place OF resi-
dence here and that one has become the
owner Of the house where he lives.
Marked Increase Of Building.
The progress in building houses and
apartments has been SO rapid and has
assumed such proportions that even those
who are most familiar with this phase Of
the market express surprise that 1t has
been possible to do much in a short
time, and yet without apparently going
beyond the demands OF the market
This feature Of the situation was en-
phasized by Harry Wardman, who has
probably done more work of this sort
than any other individual in this city. In
discussing what he had done and what he
expects to do In the future Mr.. Wardman
says that during the last three years he
has built go houses and 40 apartment
buildings. When asked IL he Is not about
through he replied that he has only
begun.
IN proof OF that he added that at pres
ent ne Is engaged In building 2O0 houses
and 5 apartment buildings. Mr. Ward
mans view of the market is probably Ia
lie found in his next observation-that of
the 200 houses built by him last season
all are occupied by persons who have
bought them.
Buying Ii What Counts.
The buying is what gives the most i'm.
pressive notion of the market and makes
1t of substantial character. There has
never been anything to equal 1t In volume
il OF such substantial character. There has
men could go from one building enterprise
to another. for as fast as they built
houses they found customers for them
II Is true that much thought has beer
given 10 the kind Of house that woulC
best suit the prevailing taste and needs
and it is also true that the terms or
which man can start on the road to be
come a home owner are easy and attract
i've. But granted the modern and de
sIrabIe house and the easy terms of pay
ment. both would have been without avail
unless there had been the people to buy.
In other words. the increase in the pop
uiation Of the city Is the fundamenta
explanation of all the new houses anl
apartment houses that have been goin5
up in all parts of the city during the las
few years and which are still being built
Mr. Wardman Is going to keep on build
ing. and so are others. Some are askin,
whether or not the end is In sight. bu