Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-19

1t is probable only portion or the
squares lying between the Capitol build
ing and the Union station will be &C
quired by the United States during the
present year, as the result of the legls-
lation enacted at the last session OF
Congress- The owners of property have
submitted to the commission appointed
to acquire the land the prices which they
are willing to accept, but with the ex-
ception of the Baltimore and Ohio prop
erty, it is the opinion that the values
asked are too high.
But if the title to the property is not
acquired at this time, there seems to be
no question but that it will be ultimately,
SO that it may be assumed that the seven
or eight squares will be added to the
class of government property in this
city. To that extent the land available
for private uses and for the business and
other needs of the community will be
reduced For the most part this part1cu-
lar section of the city has been used Tor
of business were located there owing to
the proximity of the steam railroad depot
and to the tracks.
Enterprises Shift Sites.
The change in the depot site farther to
the north as well as the concentration
of all railway traffic, except portion OF
the freight business. at the new center,
has resulted already in the shifting OF
number of enterprises that find 1t neces-
sary to have switches running into their
PROPERTY or to be near the railroad. either
farther north or tn the southern section.
The course of such q change appears to
be about over and what more will be
done in that direction will probably be
due to an expansion of the business OF
the scity. But the influence of divertng
from the use of the community such a
large tract of land as that which lies be-
tween the Capitol and the Union station
is likely to be similar in effect, If not as
widespread as the change wrought by
the creation Of a single steam railroad
terminal.
It appears probable even If this govern
ment purchase was not proposed this sec
ton Of the vicinity Of the depot would
have become a center for some classes OF
business as well as its present prevailing
character as a resident locality would
have been continued. In this connection
it is interesting to speculate on the ef-
feet on property along Pennsylvania ave-
nue., when the plan is carried out OF Sc
curing for public uses all the land lying
on the south side Of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. from the Botanic gardens or "a
street to 18th street or rather n w 18th
street, as q beginning has already been
made in carrying out such plan by Sc
curing the tier of squares between IAN
and 18th streets. and extending south
frcm Pennsylvania avenue to the Mail.
While much of the property IN these hve
squares Is still in the occupation OF indi-
viduals, yet as such use Is only Tor the
time the occupants have for the most
part made arrangements for places OF
business elsewhere. Some have gone
across the Avenue and located in the
section between that thorOughfare and
f street and 18th and 9th streets, wniie
others have gone to other p rtions or the
city. Certain classes of business such as
laundries and lumber and C al yards and
so forth have been located to some ex-
tent in the section west of 18th street ana
south of Pennsylvania avenue.
Demand for Property.
1t is recognized that the demand for
property lying in the region north OF
PENNSYLVANIA avenue between 9th and
| 18th streets has improved during the past
few years, and it is felt that part OF
| the change is due to the reducti III
the property available for private uses
on the south side Of Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. 1t is reasoned by some that as the
government goes on with it's pc icy OF
land buying south of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. that the problem of the future OF
property in that section north Of the Ave
| nue. and extending frC m 9th st, eet to the
Capitol gre unds will be in fair way to-
ward settlement.
| The theory is that such large acquisi-
tons of land for public uses as are pro-