Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-03
CONDITIONS HERE
BETTER, SAYSBOSS
Builder Declares Capital City
in More Advantageous Posi-
ton Than Other Cities.

Conditions in washington undoubt-
edly are better today than in any other
large city of the world and business in
general here will be better in 1891 than
in the past year, Harry K. Boss. realtor
and builder and former president of
the Washington Real Estate Board,
declared recently.
AS the seat of the Government of
the United States, Washington holds
the unique position among cities of
the country. which means that millions
of dollars have been and will continue
to be paid out Semi-monthly to large
proportion of our population, regardless
of conditions which at times adversely
AFFECT other cities, he pointed out.
Opinion Is General.
The opinion, based on studies of
statistics obtained from local and Fed
eral sources, private information and
press reports, that the new year viii
bring improvement in economic condi-
tons, Mr.. Boss said. is shared by most
residents Of the city
Referring to a meeting held at the
District Building in 1920 for discus
sion of how more building could be
brought about to stimulate business,
Mr. Boss stated:
I'm Washington, for the fiscal year
ending 1920, there was spent by indi-
viduals and private companies, for new
buildings and repairs, the sum of
$22,659,000. In 1925, an abnormal year,
the sum of $62.S62,000 was spent for
this work, and in 1880 s34,996,000 has
been spent for the same purposes.
These figures do not include any money
spent by the Municipal or Federal
Governments and show clearly that in
proportion to the size of the city, and
in comparison with other cities of
about tie same population, there has
been a tremendous amount of building
going on in Washington among pri-
vate individuals and companies.
These figures for 1880 compare very
favorably with the amounts spent in
the District in any of the so-called
normal years. In addition to the sum
Of $34. 996 900 spent for private work
in 1880, there have been millions of
dollars paid out by the United States
and Municipal Governments in acquir-
ing land and in erecting buildings, so
that the total amount of money put
In circulation in washington for the
fiscal year OF 1880, we believe, will ex-
coed the average per year spent in the
last 20 years.
City to Be Magnificent.
Previous to 1925 the Federal Gov
eminent spent practically nothing for
land and buildings. Within the next
few years the great municipal center
viii be almost completed, and this. to-
gether with the work of developing the
great triangle by the United States
Government, and numerous other
major Federal buildings, in addition to
the increasing number of private
monumental institutions, will, in my
opinion, make Washington a city of
magnificent buildings, and give steady
employment to the residents of WASH
ington.
Shortly after Armistice Day many
people in Washington felt that the
National Capital would become a de-
serted village, but those who had con.
fldence in the future Of Washington
could see nothing ahead but progress.
Since that time, 1t has been proven
that, instead Of going backward, WASH
1ngton has forged ahead. probably to
. far greater extent in the way Of
high-class buildings, privately and
governmentally owned, than any other
city In the United States. Washington
ranks among the outstanding cities of
the United States in the line of hotels,
apartments and private residences.
Many in Suburban Area.
I'm addition to our regular popula-
ton 1t has been estimated that we
have within a radius Of 20 miles, about
100000 people who buy here, q large
number Of whom work IN the District
Those who are able and wish to
buy or build homes or other buildings
Tor various purposes should either
start now or make plans to start in
the early Spring. From sources which
believe to be reliable I find that
building can be done now for less
money than 1t has been in the past
year. and this should act as an incen-
tive to buyers and those proposing TO
build. believe the amount Of money
TO be spent for INV work in 1891 win
equal, II not exceed, that spent in 1890.
ana that Washington's future, for all
those who will really analyze the situa-
ton, cannot help but appear both re-
assuring ard prosperous"
a