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"as. ,, rs"fFwi?,5up ' fW" " ' ' TYr'"" BA y fy wmwm p t 3kn3x Weekly jjlsttlxwal ltttUi0ttJC.. SUNDAY. APRIL 12. 1891. PAGES 17 TO 24 fe iih.iy WEATHER AND BUSINESS. HOW ATMOSPIIEIUC CONDITIONS AF FECT THE MARKETS. Uutlclers Irapatlcntto Comufcuco Opera tions A, Suggestion to Owners of Un improved Property Plenty of Capital Awaiting Investment. The few good days experienced lost week showed by way of contrast the influence of the weather on business. The constnnt rain with which the Eastern section of the country has been treated during the past few months has had a most decided effect on all classes of business not so much a depressing as a re pressing effect. Business has been ready and willing to bud and blossom into great activity for sbmc time past, but the Weather Bureau has delayed its sanction to the appeals for "spring openings," and the buyer and seller have been patiently waiting to meet each other upon the mart under favorable conditions. Both aie well primed and the meeting will be a lively one. These few days of lino weather awakened a temporary activity indicative of what is to come. People crowded the business through fares and money Jlbwed freely through mercan tile channels. Real estate brokers reported more inquiries after property to purchase than for a long time and builders seized the gracious opportunity to pump the water out of excava tions and get in foundation walls. Plans almost innumerable have been mado by the architect and turned over to the builder, but there they have stopped while the handler of material vented his impatience against the innocent Gen. Greeley. Some builders lost their patience long ago, and, thinking to take time by the forelock, found that they had seized the fetlock by mistake. They have suffered in consequence. Said a builder to the Herald yesterday: "About the middle of March .. negotiated a builder's "loan for about $40,000 for the purpose of erecting a group of houses to be offeied for sale. I presume you know the nature of a loan of this kind. The money is advanced to the builder only as the work progresses, but meanwhile the wholq amount draws interest from the date of the notes. In order to save the lender harmless by reason of mechanics' liens against the buildings, the deeds of trust must be placed on record before the ground is broken. You can see the importance then of pushing the work as rapidly aB possible to the point where the property may become profitable either in rents or sales. The day after the papers went on record I commenced to dig my foundations. I had only half completed my excavating when it commenced to rain, and you know what it has been doing ever since. Until last week we have had .four rainy days to one clear day, and as it takes two or three clear days to sufficiently dry the loose earth before re suming operations, you will not be sur prised to know that it has taken me from the 20th of March to the present time to dig a small hole in the ground. But that is not the worst of it. I have been paying Interest at the rate of 0 per cent, on $10,000 duriug that time, amounting to about $100. However, I guess we'll got so much dry weather after awhile that somebody will be crying 'quits.' " Statements of this nature give some Idea of the actual financial damper thrown over busi ness operations by unfavorable atmospheric conditions, and when it Is considered that the large majority of businesses are more or less af fected by Inclement weather It is really to bo wondered at that there should be as much ac tivity as there has been since the first of March the advent of "charming spring." Next to building operations the traffic In real estato is probably more affected by the weather than anything else in the commercial line. "Did you ever sell a lot that was cov ered with snow?" was asked a real estate dealer by a brother broker, and while a num ber of such sales were recalled it was admitted that the task In each cose had been lightened by the fact that true bargains had been offered. "Wet goods" in the mercantile lino are sold below actual price, not so much because thoy are damaged by tho water as because they are unattractive. Real estate, especially unim proved property, may not be sold below price, but it Is not sold at all because, first, it Is un attractive when soaked with water, and sec ond, because few can bo induced to look at It in a beating rain, It Is surprising how few owners of unim proved real i estate Appreciate the value, pf a little adornment to make their properties readily saleable. There are hundreds of lota In the city to-day held at reasonable price without buyers because they are unattractive to the eye. TIiIb sounds like nonsense, but it Jb not. Why do buyers Invariably go to look atlpta before purchasing? Not so much to Bee the surroundings as one would think. A little grading, bo aq to crop off a hillock here or fill up a stagnant pool there, a little clear ing out of rank weeds, a little top soil and a few grass seed will frequently sell a lot that has 6tood a nuisance for years. At least this hos been the experience of a few wi6e opera tors who have discovered tho fact and are makinir profitable use of It. "There is more capital In the city awaiting tho chauco for profitable Jnv.eatmcnt than over before," said n prominent Washington finan cier to The Herald one day last week, "and tho premonitory rumblings of a groat real estato revival are already discovered In tho numerous big deals in process of consumma tion, of which Tub Hbuald has given ub In formation from time to time, as well as tho healthy showing mode from day to day by the dally records at tho City Hall. Walt uutll tho weather settles and seo." ACTIVITY IN PJROSPECT. A Talk With a Member of the Firm of Turpln & Plant. "Wc are heartily glad to sec such bright days as these," said Mr. Turpln, of Plant & Turpln, "as there are already signs of-an active real estate market. Recently we have sold the handsome four-story brick and stone-front house at 1380 R street northwest to Civil Engi neer Eudicott, of the Navy, for $13,000. On Capitol Hill we have just sold a three-story brick house for $3,000 and two very pretty cot tages on Irving street. Prices in that neigh borhood are beginning to advance since the one-mile limit law went into effect aud real estate transactions in that locality are becom ing more numerous everyday. There is one thing," continued Mr. Turpln, "that the re ported big deal on Sixteenth street has brought about, aud that is a rapid advance in prices along tho street. Indeed, several pieces of property whose owners were anxious to dis pose of last week have been withdrawn from the market, aud the owners are now awaiting a much6tecper price than what they would have takcu before. If the deal is not con summated these prices must eventually come down, and Instead of giving a permanent in crease to the value of property on this beauti ful street It is likely to cause damage.' This is the second time the property has been reported sold. One journal some time ago devoted con siderable space in reporting an alleged sale of the ground to a Mr. Durant, aud oven went so far as to publish tho names of those who held contracts to erect aud furnish a handsome dwelling upon the land. It will certainly be best for those who own property near that section If the sale is made, as if it is not it is liable to result in injury to the prices, and when prices have been up aud then go down it is rather hard to get them up again." "Prices on Sixteenth street," said Mr. A. M. Gorman, "have 6tood about the same for the past five years. When prlcos in other sections have been subject to more or less fluctuation, they haveremaineil atone definite, though high figure. If, however, It Is true that such a largo sale of property on that street to Mr. Mocking aud syndicate has been made prices will no doubt immediately climb still higher, especially near tho tract alleged tchavo been disposed ot for such an enormous sum. For some time there has been very little demand for Sixteenth-street property, although It is considered a good investment, but this 6ale 'will no doubt start mapy more sales." NORTHEAST ANI SOUTHEAST. Sir. Droolcs Still Thinks These Sections Oll'or tho Host Investments. "Property in tho northeast and southeast," says Mr. T. R. Brooks, the real estato broker, "still continues, according to my way of think ing, to bo the best Investment in the Washing ton real estate market. Tho sales of lots In those Bectlons continue to increase. This favoring of the two sections among property buyers does not mean that a few lots will be purchased, held at a high figure for some time, and then permitted to drop as In the case of a boom. It Is a healthy and Bteady development of tho sections, which promised to compare favora ble with others. Tho street railroadB that are laid there no doubt considerably increase tho number of sales. I myself have made a number of sales during tho past few weeks. 1 am especially interested in Brauchvillo, nine miles out on tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad," Mr. Brooke continued, "and have recently purchased a part of tho farm of tho Hon. Daniel II. Maunlng. Also I am part owner In tho Governor Reed property at this beautiful suburb. This property contains be tween 300 and 500 acres, aud furnishes some of the finest building sites of any of tho suburbs. It is along tho railroad and Is Im proved by a fine old mansion built In the days of large rooms and comfort. It contains some twenty rooms. It Is our Intention that Is to say, tho other gentlemen and myself who are Interested in the property to make a Bmall hotel of It, to be used during tho hot mouths, The delightful situation and convenience to the city will no doubt make It very popular, especially with business men who want an outing, yet cannot leave the city for any length of time to get it. Wo ' will open this place about tho first of May, If nothiug happens to preveut It, . Electric Belt Free. To introduce it and obtain agents tho under signed firm will give away a few of their $5.00 German Electric Belts Invented by Prof. Van der Weyde, Tres. of the New York Electrical Society, (U. S. Pat. 257,047.) a positive cure for Nervous Debility, Rheumatism, JLoss of Power, etc. Address Electric Agency, P. O. Box 178, Brooklyn, N. Y. Write to Uiem to-day. ALEXANDRIA COUNTY. SOME OF ITS ADVANTAGES POINTED OUT. What Mr. James E. Clements, Who is In terested -' in Its Development,' Has to Say Many Schemes of Improve ment. Mr. James E. Clements, real estate agent, of 1321 F street northwest, who Is making quite a success In dealing in suburban land around Washington, has gotten up a handsome map of the country surrounding the city for thirty miles out. This map shows tho railroads and public roads, most all the villages and subdi visions, and is a serviceable map for reference and Information. Mr. Clements is enthusias tic in his belief in tho improvement and ad vancement of suburban land near the National Capital, aud as a preface to his map and large list of property ho say6: "For the information of those desiring to buy laud wc lay before them a short sketch of a part of that beautiful, healthy, and productive country surrounding Washington City. As tho United States becomes more populous, just iu proportion will the Capital City of the na tion expand and become greater in area, mak ing the land near and around it more and more valuable for subdivision into villa sites and building lots, and for suburban residences, stock, dairy, fruit, poultry, and gardening farms. These lands can be bought now very cheap and on easy terms, especially on the western side of the Potomac River, west and northwest, and in full view of the city, in that section known now as Alexandria County, but prior to 1848 a pait aud portion of the District of Columbia. A proposition is now before Congress to reestablish the original limits of the District, and to take back under national care and control, as in its first and former es tate, all the 6aid County of Alexandria, and make It again a part of the District of Colum bia. Should this be done the happy possessors of land in that section would find themselves, by the great advance in tho price of real es tate, rich persons. Investigation will show the cheapness of these lands, and their near ness to Washington, one of the most beautiful cities, as well as one of the finest markets In the world. While excellent churches, and schools are established there, vet this Rp.nt.tnn L is so near Washington that, should any one feel so uisposeu, couju send their children to the schools or nttend the churches here, where'the schools are unexcelled and the churches are xm&urpassed. "People bulldinghomes in this section, while enjoying a country life, can attend public, lectures, theatres, and places of learning, en-' tertainmeut, and amusement just as if they lived within the limits of Washington City, of such close proximity to the National Capital are these lauds. "To live near Washington City is of itself a great luxury. The climate is exceedingly healthy and temperate, never very cold in winter or excessively hot in summer. The cold Northern and Western storms aud bliz zards do not blight this section, nor do the long draughts that linger in Bummer with de stroying hand, as in some other parts of the country, ever rest upon or wither this favored locality. "Truly does this section present the symbols of long life and prosperity. Tho people are neighborly, hospitable, cultivated, aud gener ous, and political liberty and freedom of opin ions are enjoyed untrammeled and to their fullest extent. The taxes are low, and tho public roads are good, being rapidly converted into solid stone and gravel highways. In fact, everything is here combined to make homes in this section favorable, profitable, attractive, enlightened, and happy. "Also, charters have been granted to several electric and steam railroads to pass throueh this section and Into Washington City. This will make travel more convenient and rapid, and will greatly enhance tho value of land and iucreaso tho demand therefor. Nowis the time to buy, for with improvements como increased prices, and chances for good investment and cheap homes will not bo as great then as now. "Already are the plans being formed for building tho bridgo from West Washington across tho Potomac to Alexandria County, above the Aqueduct Bridge, and tho cou Btmctiou of tho electric road thence from opposito Georgetown, D. C, by way of Fort Myer and the Arlington National Cemetery, on by wuy of Alexandria City to Mount Vernon. This will be a useful, paying, and popular road, and will be of untold value to the beautiful country through which it passes. This road will be completed before the open ing of tho World's Fair, as in that year thousands, Jf not millions, of foreigners and strangers wJU como to Washington, and will vl6it Arlington, tho Mecca of tho Union dead, and Mount Vernon, the tomb of 'the Father of his Couutry.' "Auother company has a charter for building an eloctrlc road westerly from Washington to tho town of Falls Church, tho completion of which, In tho neai future, is a certainty. This will open up a healthy and beautiful country, unsurpassed for suburban homes for persons in Government employ or forthose In business In the city of Wa6hingtqu and desiring to live a short distance In the country . "In this section wo have the historical Gov ernment reservation known as the Arlington estate, contalnlngovcrljlOOacrcsof land, upon which is situated the largest military post in America, Fort Meyer, and tho beautiful and well-kept National Cemetery of Arlington, visited by thousands of people every day. "A bill has passed tho United States Senate to erect a grand bridge, known us tho 'Me morial Bridge,' from Washington directly across the Potomac River to Arlington. Should this bo done it will open ,up a grand central thoroughfare from the heart of tho Capital of tho Nation into Alexandria County, and then indeed will 'westerly the star of empire take Its way;' and that elevated, healthy, and sightly section, with its beautiful hills and plateaus, west of Washington will become the most desirable for surburban residences, villa ites, and country homes of any land in the vicinity of Washington. Much of iho laud above referred to is only from two to five miles of tho President's House at Washington City." AT GLEN ECHO. The Hoof or Tills Great Amphitheatre Will Soon Be On. "The roof of the big ampuitheatro at Glen Echo Hclirhts," said Mr. Baltzley, of tho Chautauqua Association, "will be on within a few weeks if the weather continues pleasant. It will be an Immense affair and have a di ameter of 200 feet. It is to be made ofiron, tin, and wood, and will cost something in tho neighborhood of $23,000 rather an expensive roof. Tho Hall of Philosophy is being built of granite, and stands on a bluff overlooking the Potomac, where one of the loveliest possi ble views i6 to be had. Here one can seo for miles aud miles beyond, and in summer, when tho foliage is thickest, this beautiful view will be one of Nature's rarest treats. "We are albo erecting a two-story tempo rary building, which will be used for tho va rious purposes of the association. When the days lengthen out into hot ones wo intend to put up three largo tents for temporary dining rooms. These will seat six hundred at table. Then we have just closed a contract for five hundred tents for living purposes on tho grounds. The interior arrangements of these tents will be very convenient and comfortable, if plenty of room will give it, as there are four rooms In each tent. "Plans for an arcade have been lecently re ceived. Tho arcade Is to have twelve stores, in which will be sold the variety of ti'eces--Bities of life. The excellent facilities sit. Glen Echo for water and sowcracrc will bo taken advantage of by tho association, and tho con tractors have already been consulted. In fact, most all of tho conveuleuces enjoyed in city life will be found here. Tho grounds and buildings are to bo supplied with electric lights, so that the effect of tho powerful white light on a cool summer's evening will be a thing of beauty, indeed. The track for theruilroad lino of'iaienEsho is now com pleted from Washington to that place." "now many men have you employed theie at present ?" was asked. "Nearly two hundred," answered Mr. Baltz ley, "and all are busy. "We will have some delightful boating on the Potomac's broad expanse when tho asso-. elation has all its buildings and preparations completed. At this point the river is three quarters of a mile wide, and i6 to be supplied with safe and handsome boats by Mr. M. A. Tappan, the sporting goods man. New build lugs along tho shore of tho river will bo erected as bathing-houses and some splendid bathing will bo enjoyed These houses are to be fitted up after plans mado by Mr. R. A. Charles, who will nlso be in charge of them and supervise tho bathing arrangements. By tho 15th of Juno next wo expect to have everything in readiness for occupation." The Clerk's Investment Company. At a meeting of the Department Investment Company at tho ofllco of its former president, Mr. T. R. Brooks, 010 Twelfth street north west, tho following officers were elected for tho ensuing year: P. A. Norwa, President; M. N. Page, Vice President; J. C. Smith, Treasurer; Robert Bolton, Secretary; Solomon LanBburgh, William Craig, and Charloa Gul ents, Board of Directors. This company was organized a year ago by Mr. Brooks. Their purpose is to buy and sell real estato. Al though they are comparatively n new com pany still their success has been wonderful and thoy have put themselves upon a sound financial baBis, as tho gentlemen connected with tho company are thoroughly reliable and well known, The Department Investment Company haa sold largo tracts of valuable uulmproved property, besides much that was Improved. Their scale of business is large and they are capable of undertaking aa large transactions as auy other similar company in tho city. An Ideal Country Seat. Rich soil, fine inausion, btables, barns, silo, windmills, etc. Everything ready to begin a season In the country under the most favoiable circumstances. Can be bought cheap, as owner is going abroad. For price and particulars ap ply to F. Bknjamin, 013 F 6treet northwest. o , , G5?rJS,?' IUder has' nought of F. II. Jones for $1,650 lots 10 and 11, block 10, Brookland. IN THE NORTHEAST. WHAT AN ENTHUSIASTIC HOOKER SATS OP THAT SECTION. I.nrgo Numbers of Comfortable Dwell ings Going Up and Prices of tots Steadily Increasing Tho Attractions of Trinidad. There is no more enthusiastic believer In tho substantial nature of the boom in north east Washington than Mr. A. J. Boyer, of No. 1003 G 6treet northwest. "You hear a great deal of a general character," Mr. Boyor said yesterday, "about tho remarkable de velopment tho northeastern section is enjoy ing, but I would like to give through The Hehald, which is now regarded as tho real estate man's mo6t rellablo mouthpiece, some moie definite idea of just what is doing in that section. Aud first let me say that tho advan tages and prospects of tho northeastern sec tion have not at auy time had justice dono them, partially on account of tho undue noise mado by speculators and land-dealers In the northwest. It Is true that all the predictions of tho pessimists that tho 'bottom would fall out' of real estato arouud Wasbineton havo come to nought, and that, on the contrary, prices have steadily advanced all along the line, yet it Is equally true that in tho north west section ical estate values have been ab- normally appreciated. In the eastern part of tho city, however, advances in the price of real property have been gradual and perman ent, and the boom which is now on is a legiti mate one and has come to stay. As an evi dence of this it may be cited that tho larger real estate dealers and brokers themselves are accordingly turning their attention from tho overdone northwest to tho eastern part of tho District. Lotus take a trip through the northeast section east of Seventh and north of H streets, to get some idea of the almost startling rapid ity with which oven the extreme northeast Is being turned into a community of handsome and comfortable homes. There are buildinc undertakings in this section alone sufficient to boom a smaller and more excitable town than Washington. Upon tho square bounded by Eleventh and Twelfth, II and I streets, twenty two substantial six and seven room bricks havo just been erected, many of them sold, while on I, east of Twelfth, eight more havo been completed. On K, at tho junction of Twelfth and Florida avenue, Mr. John II. Lewis is putting tho finishing touches to twelve Mndsomo bricks. Tho same enterpris ing builder has just completed five handsome seven room dwellings and a business corner on Florida avenue and Twelfth, aud two fine frames north of tho avenue on Twelfth, and this brings mo to 6peak of tho tract recently subdivided and lying immediately north of the Boundary and known as Trinidad. This subdivision is located nearer to tho dome of tho Capitol than is tho Treasury Depart ment. It lies in tho form of a parallelogram, measuring about 1,800 feet on Florida avenue by about 8,000 feet north and adjoins the Government reservation, known as "Kendall Green." Twelfth street northeast extends through tho central portion of Its entire length, and is intersected by M, N, O, P, Ge noa, Q, and R streets. Tho grade of Twelfth street and Florida avenue Is tho sanio as that of tho baso of the Capitol. Tho elevation from this point to Q street, a distance of about 2,000 feet, is graded, and amouuts to 30 feet, tho slope being toward tho south and southwest. Opposito tho 30 feet eluv.ition on Twelfth, between P and Q streets, is park, 800 by 400 feet, of much greater elevation, capped by a beautiful grove of native oaks, v and carpeted with turf. Outside of tuls park nearly every lot can bo supplied with water from the reservoir without tho expeuso of a standpipo or other extra appHam-e. Tho sewerage system Is perfect, one of tho main sowers of tho District being on Florida avo "uo. Work is begun on a main sewer on Eleventh street extended, thoroughly drain ing the lower portions of Trinidad lying alone the liuo of tho B. and O. Railroad. Another fewer will connect with tho Florida avenue th,lV5w?5 80W0r at tuo Junction of that avenue ?nnd ,,u,aad avenuo which, together with tho Twelfth-street sower and the lateral sowers constituto a most complete system of sewer age for this beautiful subdivision Tho new B. and O. depot at Ivy City will bring tho resi dents of this high, healthful, aud most lovely place for homes to the depot In five minutes on all local trains, or with tho short distance to tho II street cars and tho F street herdlcs, one can reach tho businecs port of the city sooner than If he lived in Georgetow u or Mt. Pleasant. "Borne Idea of tho rapid growth of this sec tion maybe had by noticing what is now bo!??don.e 1" tho way of Improving streets and building houses. Twelfth stret t is now graded and paved from Maryland Avenue to Iyy City, with lamps to and on M street. Some seventy-five flue houses huve been erected on this tract, including those built UD?ntth nort elae of Florida avenue, upon which Trinidad borders. Among these are three grocery stores, one bakery, and other business places. Plans for a dozen new resi dences are prepared and tho buildings will bo erected this sprlmr. "While prices during tho short time this tract has been laid out have steadily advanced, I am yet enabled to offer lota ranging in price from seven centB upward, accordlug to loca tion, and In size from 17 feet front to 50 feet of I ?! I