Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-02
NO CAUSE ASSIGNED.
THE POTOMAC FLATS TITLE.
The Attorney Generals Answer to the
House Committees Request for In.
formation.
THE KIDwELL BOTTOMS TITLE-THE CLAIM oil
THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL, ETC

THE KIDwELL BOTTOMS TITLE-rHE CLAIM OF
THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL, ETC.
In view of the fact that the spring work on
the Potomac flats will soon commence with
increased activity, and the funds available for
continuing the work will consequently disap-
pear rapidly, a good deal of interest is mani
tested in the question Of what provision Con-
gress will make for carrying on the work as
actively as recommended. An intimation from
the House that no more money will be appro-
priated for the improvement of the river front
until the question to the validity of the title
to the kidwell bottoms is definitely and salts
factoriy settled lends an increased importance
to the matter just now. The House committee
having the matter In charge some time ago re-
QueSted the Attorney General 10 furnish them
with information as to what had been done by
the Department of Justice looking 10 a settle
ment of the question of title to the river bot
toms.
A STAR reporter called at the Department of
Justice this morning to learn how the matter
stood He was Informed that an answer will he
sent to the committee makingthe request for in
formation in few days. This answer Will show
that under the act of 1881, requiring a settle
ment OF the title question of the kidwell lands
Attorney General Brewster shortly before he
went out of office instructed the district :tttor-
ney to institute proceedings to test the validity
OF the kidwell title. No provisions were
made i'm the law of 1881 for extnguish-
ing that title should il he found valid, nor Tor
settling any other claims to the land TO be i'm
proved. The district attorney had taken no
Steps IufIner IMAM collect evidence the
matter when a bill was presented in the Senate
before the close of the session last year
providing for a settlement OF title not only in
the kidwell claim, but in number OF other
claims TO water lots, which had been brought
forward by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
company and others, and providing for the ex-
tinguishing OF all titles that might be found
valid by condemnation if necessary. This bill
the department understands, has passed the
Senate, but has not yet passed the House In
view OF the proposed legislation, which makes
broader provisions than the act of SSl, the mat
ter remains in sdtu quo awaiting further develop
mentS. Should the requirements OF the act of
1881 be carried out, the question could not be
finally settled, for should the title be found
valid there is no provision made for extinguish-
ing it, while the additional claims which have
sprung up would necessitate further action be-
fore ali the questions as to title to the lands
affected by the river front improvement could
be settled to the satisfaction OF all concerned
The above is the information which will
shortly be sent to the House committee re-
ferred to, and further congressional action will
be awaited by the Department OF Justice be-
fore proceedings are commenced.