The Sunday Oregonian., March 22, 1908, SECTION THREE, Page 8, Image 32

THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX, PORTLAND. MARCH 22, I90S.
E BIG DEALS
ARE BEING CLOSED
Revival of Activity in Inside
Business Sites Shown
During Week.
SITES WILL . BE .IMPROVED !
i, " ' ; 4 1 n . . .
MOB
4&. ii --- HS-il i l; . is, ttt j- - -I i - ...s - ..- -.
Permits Isttucd Briiig Total I'p to
368 lor Slonth With Valuation
of More Than $2, 000, 000
Since January 1.
Real estate circles were much inter
ested In the publication Friday morning-
of the sale of the corner quarter
iloek at Oak and Fourth steeets by Dr.
K. H. Parker to" Joseph M. Healy and
Gay Lombard. Dr. Parker was also
one of the original syndicate that
started the Board of Trade building
which stand on the lot on the corner
opposite to that transferred Thursday.
The doctor owned that corner before
the new office structure was planned
end ownership in the land passed to
Sir. Healy and Mr Lombard when they
came to the rescue, of the syndicate,
efter the failure of the Oregon Trust
Company and assumed the completion
of the building, which they now own.
These two capitalists and their consulting-
attorney operate under the
name of The Western Realty Company,
a corporation formed some months ago
for the purpose of holding and dispos
ing of realty in Portland and vicinity.
The holdings of the corporation are
distinct from the personal holdings of
the Individual members. ,
There arc several other large deals
pending of downtown sites, both im
proved and unimproved. Some of
these are "hung up" by reason of the
owners asking for a larger cash pay
ment than buyers consider reasonable,
especially In the cases, of those who.
are abundantly responsible and able
to carry deferred payments safely. It
Is said by brokers negotiating these
deals that from $26,000 to $50,0t0 down,
on a deal Involving $150,000 upward,
should be deemed sufficient.- consider
ing that capitalists are seldom In the
titbit of carrying large amounts of
ready cash unemployed; their money
being employed In various Investments
which might not be turned Into ready
cash without ioer of interest.
Owners Refuse to Sell.
From the viewpoint of the brokers
the holders of these properties are act
ing in a manner that places them in a
"dog In the manger" class by dictat
ing unreasonable terms they stand n
the way of those who would Improve
the. properties. Local investors watch
ing for "enaps" arc out of business, for
when it comes to picking up desirable
realty in the downtown districts they
encounter ofTers from outside Inves
tors who have their agents here watch
ing the market so closely that whenever
a "good thing" Is available top prices
are obtained by sellers.
About a half dozen dealers have
commissions from out-of-town lnves
tors with little restriction as to class
of property wanted, but only a limited
number of properties are being placed
on the market. One Important deal
practically closed last week for a half
block in the wholesale district was
postponed on account of the sudden ill
jieBs of the prospective purchaser, a
capitalist from Spokane. . .
During the week the building per
mits for the month were brought up
to 368 with a total in valuations of
590.:t55. Sinco the first .of the year
permits carrying valuations of $2,048,
780 have been Issued. February's to
tals were 413 permits with $834,880 in
valuations. With eight more business
days remaining this month, it is quite
likely the full month's totals will come
close -to equaling those of the preced
ing one, and may exceed that record.
Last week there were but four permits
carrying valuations exceeding $5000,
the majority of the new buildings be
ing dwellings to cost less than $5000,
mostly. East Side houses, averaging
about $2000. The principal permits
were for the T. W. C. A. building at
Seventh and Taylor, $80,000; John A.
Beck, residence, $8000; Dr. H. S. Nich
ols, residence, $8000, and A. Brown,
residence, $5500.
Activity In Platted Districts.
Interest continues in the platted ad
ditions to the city. Agents for these
Plata report more activity in these lots
than at any time since ' they were
placed on the market. New tracts are
being surveyed and as rapidly as the
streetcar company extends lines to the
outskirts of the city through unim
proved districts, homebuilders are at
tracted. Old residents of -the city who
have occasion to niako trips out car
lines into districts they have not vis
ited for some months previously, are
invariably amazed at .the amount of
building that has been done and la un
der way.
No particular locality seems to be
lacking In this growth, and even at the
"hills end" of the old city buildings
are pushing up the -slopes at a great
rate. On the Heights a steady growth
Is noticeable, and some of the costli
est residences yet built in those fa
vored localities are being planned for
tills year.
Architects Rushed With Work.
Architects are almost all rushed with
work, and where no particularly im
portant undertakings are in hand in
some of the offices, all have a large
number of dwellings of the medium
price class. "
Recent sales of inside realty indicate
a good healthy tone, with no "boom"
In evidence. Sales of business loca
tions in the older part of town are so
few and far between that when one
does come along observers' study com
parative values closely, and for some
months past have been pleased to find
tha.1 a gradual but steady gain is be
ing made. Investors In Portland "real
estate are more convinced than ever
before that the future of the city Is
more promising than that of any other
Coast city, and 4he increase in popula
tion shows no signs of falling off. Not
only is the demand for dwellings keep
ing ahead of buildrrs. but the agents
of the big office buildings about ready
to be occupied report that space is be
ing taken at such a rata as to insure
their filling up as soon as the build
ings are completed. This is the re
port from such buildings as the new
Board of Trade, the Beck. Medical
and Commercial Club. The older build
ings that are being modernized also
have applicants for space when alter
ations arc completed.
Snow In Tennessee.
BR13TOU Tenm. March a. This en
tire region Is under a blanket of snow.
In the near-by mountains snow has
fallen to a depth of aiximhcs. The ther
mometer rcstered DelovP freezing this
morning. ., i
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RAPID GROWTH IN VALLEY " f5 : ' ' " " " ."" T
Et'GK-VK TAKES LEAD IX PVB
HCITY WORK.
. v..
John H. Harlog Tells of Successful
Exploitation Campaign in W hich
Many Cities Are Joining.
"It has taken the people of Eugene
less than four months to recognize
the value of publicity in exploiting
their community and Its resources,"
said John IT. Hartog, manager of the
promotion department of the Commer
cial Club. Of that city, yesterday. "Our
club carrier advertisements in 16 East
ern newspapers in addition to several
magazines and trade papers. We find
that newspaper advertising is both
profitable and inexpensive, our corre
spondence showing that the cost of
thta work la less than 11 cents an in
quiry. In fact, we "find It practically
impossible with an office force of five
persons to attend promptly to all of
the Inquiries that are being received."
The publicity department of the Eu
gene Commercial Club .was organized
shortly after the first of the year,
when Mr. Hartog came to the unlver-1
sity city from California and assumed
management of the work. With a mem
bership of 236, the organization is con
ducting a vigorous campaign that is
producing eubstantiat returns for that
city. , Not only is Lane County being
advertised through Eastern publica
tions, but the people of the county are
being educated as to the benefits of,
co-operation and the advantages accru
ing from a concerted movement to
boost that section to the front.
A steadily increasing population is
reflected in the fact that the postal
receipts Xor February showed an in
crease of 22 per cent over the corre
sponding month a year ago. Over 100
residences are being constructed with
in the corporate limits of the city and
the paving of several of the principal
streets Is in progress. The . Southern
Pacific is building a new depot to re
place the moss-covered structure that
did service for so many yeare.
"There is an air of prosperity every
where," said Mr. Hartog,. "and the In
fusion of new life gives unquestioned
promise of further benefits. ' This
spirit of municipal push and enterprise
is contagious. Eugene had scarcely
started its publicity work than Rose
burg followed suit " Salem, Albany
and Stayton have acquired the habit
and have placed their commercial or
ganizations on a practical working
ba-sis. Kugehe Is to be - credited with
taking the initiative in this movement
to advertise the resources of the Wil
lamette Valley, which promises largely
to increase the population and material
prosperity of this section of the state."
ANOTHER PLAT IS PROJECTED
Eighty Acres Acquired by Breske
and Dabney Near Capitol Hill. '
Clohessy & Smith, the owners of
Capitol Hill, report the sale of an un
divided one-half interest In the 89
acre tract located about 10 blocks
west of Capitol Hill. The tract is
known as the Baird place and was
owned by Mrs. Alice Baird, the other
half being owned by P. P. Dabney. ,
The purchaser of the Baird interest
Is F. Breske, who believes the devel
opment of this section of the city will
be greater and more rapid on account
of being located -on a carline. and from
the fact that it is less than 20 min
utes' ride from the business center.
The consideration paid by Mr. Breske
Is n a basis of $40,000 for the tract.
It is the Intention of Dabney & Breske
to plat this tract at once in acre
tracts and such other sub-divisions as
they believe advisable.
Walnut Park.
One of the attractive suburbs of
Portland is Walnut Park, an 80-acre
tract, which was platted in 105. It
is located on the, highest point be
tween the rivers. The streets are
parked and blocks have alleys. One
hundred lots have been sold. Thirty
three beautiful homes have been built
and seven nfore are now in course of
construction. The building clause has
proven attractive, for no business
house can be built on the tract and no
house costing less than $2000. Houses
must be 15 feet or more from lot line.
This very popular residence section
has a most excellent car service, as it
Is served by the Upper St. John, Ver
non, Woodlawn and Vancouver cars.
Platting on Salem Road.
M. EL, Lee has platted the Northrop do
nation claim, consisting of 130 acres.
Into one acre tracts. This property Is
located between the Salem electric and
Fulton car line. He reports the sale ol
It) one acre tracts within the past week
for J' each, to local people, for Summer
homes. .
I :Al- ir- If i 14 - . i till I
BOARD VISITS BIG TRACT; ' ; -, ' "fl
REALTY DEAIiERS GO TO ROSE j ' J? ' -
CITY PARK. " ) , ' g AS ' " ' - , , "
About 12$ Agenta on First of Satur
day Afternoon Excursions to the
Newly-Platted Additions.
-' Probably the largest number of real
estate dealers ever brought together
In this city participated in the Port
land Realty Board's excursion to Rose
City Park yesterday afternoon. About.
125 of the agents, accompanied by a
few friends, made the trip, to the big
addition on the East Side, -which Was
the first of a series of similar excur
sions that have been planned by the
organization to the newly platted resi
dence tracts. -'
The board yesterday was the guest
of Hartman & Thompson, agents for
Rose City Park. Starting from'Third
and Stark streets at 2:30 o'clock, three
special street cars and -five automobiles
took the agents to their destination.
After inspecting the big tract and its
Improvements, the board returned to
the business district, arriving al 6
O'clock. The members were accom
panied by a band and informal talks
were made by several agents.
The large number of brokers who
made the trip and the interest shown
forecasts the success of the visits to
be paid the remaining districts, which
will bo made on pleasant Saturday
afternoons during the Summer. The
board yesterday accepted an invitation
from A. F. Swensson & Co. to visit
Overlook next Saturday, and it is
planned to visit in turn all the large
tracts recently platted.
-The dealers believe that much good
will be derived from the Saturday
afternoon outings. Besides familiariz
ing themselves more thoroughly with
the city, a more Intimate acquaintance
among the dealers will spring up which
will be helpful for the united effotrs
of the board in behalf of Portland.
G RES HAM HAS STEADY GROWTH
Improved Lands Bring From $250
to $300 Per Acre.
In speaking of condition's at Gresham.
J. W. Shattuck, a well-known resident,
says:
"Gresham bas never. had a boom, but
it bas always maintained a steady
growth. There is one singular thing
about this place, and that is no one who
has started business here ever made a
failure. Borne. have gone out of business,
but never made a failure. Farmers all
about Gresham have money on deposit,
and their land is not for sale, except at
almost prohibitive prices. Improved land
brings near Gresbara $250 and $300 an
acre. We are to have the Mount Hood
Railway on one side and we have the
O. W. P. on the other. Regarding the
proposed county fair there are a consid
erable number who would like to see it
held right in Gresham on the same
ground where it was held last year.
There are some who think it would- pay
to buy a suitable location and not accept
any donation of ground, and also cut out
horse-racing."
Gresham will without doubt secure the
State Grange for 1909. It was willing to
meet at Gresham in 1908, but some of
the members of the local Grange thought
they could not make the preparations,
but now think they can entertain the
body a year hence. By that time there
will be at least two lines of electric cars
running through this place.
Fred Merrill has offered a 30-year lease
on a level 40-acre tract near the Twelve
mile House for a nominal, price for tho
use of the fair association, but as the
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stock has not yet been subscribed, no ac
tion has yet been taken toward selection
of ground.
ORDINANCES NOT SIGNED
Mayor Lane Allows Three Measures
to Become Laws.
Mayor Lane yesterday filed with
City Auditor Barbur copies of several
ordinances, recently passed by the City
Council, without his signature. There
fore they will become effective in the
II
:'.,,, ...... .,:.'.' .V. : . '"
'ylv. -.-o
A r
prescribed time, as they were not
vetoed.
The ordinances that went unsigned
by Mayor Lane are those granting to
H. W. Winters a revocable permit to.
maintain steps on the sidewalk in
front of his building at 60 hi Grand
avenue; granting the Mount Hood
Railway fk Power Company permits to
cross the Bull Run pipeline - in two
placesf granting a refund of $1000 to
the Cascade Power Company, the
amount of bond put up by that con
cern when it sought a franchise to
establish a municipal heating plant here.
Metzger fits glasses for $1.00.
OPPOSES TAX AMENDMENT
MILWAl'KI E GRANGE GOES OX
RECORD.
Denounces Single Tax Measure a
Abominable and Vicious State
ment No. 1 Is Indorsed.
At the conclusion of a lonr discussion,
yesterday afternoon. Milwaukte Granite.
Patrons of Husbandry, went on record
as emphatically opposed to the sinele tax
amendment and denounced the measure
as "abominable and vicious."' The reso
lution, which was adopted during the aft
ernoon session, was reported in the fore
noon by a special committee, but action
was deferred until in the afternoon, as it
was expected that an advocate of the
measure would appear and defend it, but
lie did not come. This resolution, dis
cussed and adopted, was as follows:
"Resolved, That we, the members of
Mflwaukie Grange No. 268. are opposed to
and denounce as most abominable and
vicious class legislation the proposed bill
providing for an amendement to our state
Constitution providing exemption from
taxation of machinery used for manufac
turing purposes."
A. G. Starkweather discussed the pro
posed single tax bill and pointed out
where It was wrong in principle and de
ceptive In construction. He said he would
never favor a measure which would ex
empt from taxation the large manufac
turing establishments of the country, such
as the Portland Flour Mills, which con
trol practically all the flour mills of the
Northwest. UJor would he favor a meas
ure that would exempt stock frotn tax
ation, and said such . a measure would
benefit the owners of the great herds of
oattle and sheep of the interior, who own
no land, but use the land more than any
other class. Richard Scott also reviewed
the proposed single tax bill and declared
that it "was simply a bait thrown out to
catch the farmers. '
Statement iNo. 1 was indorsed with the J
recommendation that no Granger vote for
a candidate for the Legislature who
would not sign it. Talks were made for
and against It.
Richard Scott, In his talk, declared him
self opposed to Statement No. 1. and said
that .the first product of Statement No.
1 was the election of Senator Jonathan
Bourne, "one of the most corrupt poli
ticians that Oregon had ever prodirced."
and said that but for his unlimited ex
penditure of money it would have been
impossible for Bourne to have been elect
ed. -Mr. Scott also contended .that un
der the present method a candidate must
pass through two expensive campaigns,
and that men of limited means could not
become candidates for any office on ac
count of the great cost. Thepefore, only
men of large means could afford to be
candidates.
He pointed to Senator Bourne as an ex
ample, of what great wealth would ac
complish with the people. However, the
vote favored Statement No. 1.
START M BEACH RESORT
IXJCAIi SYNDICATE BTJYS RANCH
NEAR WARREN TON.
Military Academy to Bo Located on
Part of Property, Which Is
Near Fort Stevens.
Four Portland Investors. E. J. Daly,
Dan J. Malarkey, E. B. Piper and I. N.
lanu lyrag 10 me boulu ci, .ABitrr-BL,
the beach In Clatsop County, of 275 acres,
to a syndicate headed by W. H. Moore
and Dr. D. B. Howard for a consideration
Of about $25,000. ,'
The ranch is situated between Gear-i
hart Park and Fort Stevens and has an I
ocean frontage of about half a mile. The t
land is part of the Gray donation landj
claim and is within walking distance of!
Warrenton. It is seven miles from As-'
toria and 107 miles from Portland.
Mr. Moore. In referring to the pur-,
chase last night, said that negotiations'
were about concluded with C. P. Holzel,
of" Spokane, for the erection of a mili
tary academy on part of the land and
that Mr. Holiel Is to be on . the site
July 10 to arrange for starting opera
tions on the buildings. There are also
several hotel men In view who have made
overtures for the erection of a hotel
and resort, the beach being regarded as
admirably adapted for an attractive re
sort. Surveyors left Portland last night for
the tract and will proceed at once td lay
out the ranch into acreage and smaller
tracts, whirh will be put on the market.
If Babr Is Cntttna Teeth
Be sore and use that old well-tried remedy.
Mrs. Wlnsiow's Soothing Byrup. for chlidrea
tecbicg. It soothes th child, softens tbe
gum alters pain, colic and diarrhoea.
Perfect fitting glasses $1 at M'.zger'a.