Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-08
NEW HOUSES ON LAMONT STREET BETWEEN 18TH AND 18TH
STREETS NORTHWEST.
STREETS NORTHWl

that as a matter OF sheer necessity he
combined with others in the defense of a
mutually and commonly enjoyed area
This coalition of interests constituted the
elemental status of society, and as the
population grew the Gtinements OF own
ership of land developed co-eXtensively.
I'm this later development the owner
ship of real property necessitated the es-
ing the titles of individuals to speciflt
portions of land anG gave rise to public
land Offices INTENDED for recording the
rights of the states and individuals to
the territory unGer the governmental JE-
risdictionb popularity known as the pub
lie lands" and occa stoned the numerous
recorder of deeds Offices in every county
and municipality throughout cur broad
domain for registering the titles of in
dividuals to their separately defined prl-
vate posse SSionS.
THE change in the methods of acquir-
ing the entitlement to rear estate. and
the exclusive right to its possession and
enjoyment tsubject Of course at all times
to the larger claims OF the community
for policing and otherwise administering
the same, in its relation to the civic rights
Of all the individuals OF the community
has been not less marked than the add
vances in the methods OF recording such
claims and insuring the occupancy to the
person properly entitled.
Methods of Acquiring Property.
1.-THE dominion of superior physical
force has given way. through the inf1u-
ences Of advancing civilization, to process
enforced by the broad arm Of the law,
which now In all civilized environments
prescribes that the acquisition of prop
erty shall be either by descent or by pur-
chase. By descent is understood the ac-
quirement of real property in accordance
with the operation of statutes defining
the rights of heirs where no conflicting
disposition Is indicated by the testator.
BY purchase is understood the securing
of title either by the will of the devisor
or what is more generally and commonly
the practice, by money. purchase.
THE two conspicuously prominent fields
of investment are ul the purchase of
land and water rights. and (2) the pur-
chase of stocks representing the multi
fold industrial enterprises engaged in
maintaining the affairs of life. The re-
lationships between finance and real es
tate are so intimate that real estate may
be said to be entirely controlled and
dominated by the financial situation, at
least so far as private ownership OF real
property is concerned. This intimate con-
nection has given to the men who direct
the finances of the community the ad-
ministration of its real estate affairs, and
while for certain large reasons the fed
eral and state governments have pro-
banks on notes secured on real estate.
this very restriction has given rise to
trust companies. savings banks and sim
liar financial institutions. which are, in
most jurisdictions at any rate. relieved
of the restriction in question. and which
are devoting their funds almost exclusive
ly to loans on real estate and on build
ing and other operations affecting real
property.
'This development has been coordinate
with the sale of houses and other inn
proved properties on very small cash pay
ments. which latter practice has tended
to increase largely the number of prop
critics on which trusts of varying amounts
are secured. The number of privately
owned real properties incumbered with
mortgages at the present time is possibly
double the number of similarly incum-
bered properties a generation ago.
This completely of the real estate sit
uation has added enormously to the in
fuence of the trust companies. savings
banks and similar institutions at the ma
TONS capital. 1t is a matter of great
pride and satisfaction that this power
has been wisely and conservatively eX
ercised. for it can safely be said that no
community in the land is freer from
undue restraint and abuses by the money
power than ours at the seat Of govern
ment. Our financial institutions are in
deed a credit to the city and nation.
and their relations with the real estate
Offices have always been cooperative
and helpful"