National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-25
NEW LIBRARY SITE.
II tho Jury Wants ANY More TestI-
mony They VIII Ask For nc.


The jury Of condemnation for a new
library site concluded yesterday the taking
Of testimony as to the valuation Of the
ground, and II any further information is
desired they will ask for it. In resuming
the testimony as 10 the values, Mr.. f. II.
Smith stated that his firm had some lots for
sale last fall I'm square 72S, which he offered
at 81. 80 per foot. At the present time they
had six lots at tho corner OF Maryland
avenue and A street. which they held al
81 80 per foot.
Mr.. Thomas T.. waggaman said that in
1885 he sold 10 Samuel Blcber lot 3, square
100, at little over 40 cents. He also sold
lot I'm 1882 for $1,000, aud taxes amount
ing TO between 5000 and 81 200.
Mr.. 9. G. Dun(anson said he had lots at
D street and Delaware avenue which we're
for sale at 2.25 per foot, but had not been
able TO sell them.
Mr.. Thomas j. Fisher said he had lots on
Delaware avenue, between aud Q streets
north, for sale ut 81 per foot; also in square
639 1.-THE old ball ground), some OF which he
bad sold for $3.50 per foot. The latter
front on the capitol grounds.
Mr.. Ordway wished TO know II the prop
ertyholders In the square north Of East
Capitol street
Mr.. Worthington objected, saying that
the propertyholders had had their say.
Mr.. Willard suggested that the jury was
not hearing experts, but only as to offers Of
sale.
Mr.. ordway desired TO enter an objection.
Mr.. l.. NJ. Saunders had a lot on street
south, between First street aud Delaware
avenue, for $1.55 per foot, and another be-
tween First and Second streets at $1.50.
lie had sold lot-part 2, square 729-at
$1.20 per foot.
He stated to Mr.. ordway that he regarded
the appreciation OF property east of the
capitol at about 25 per cent.
Mr.. M. M. Rohrer said that eight months
ago he sold No. 2t4 in Grant row at 50, 500
or 5000. He had lots on Second street,
between A street and Maryland avenue
northeast, which were sold at IS cents and
a little over. Mr.. 0rdway inquired as to
the property In squares 729, $50, and 73l,
when objection was made, and the jury de-
| cided not to listen to expert testimony.
Jacob Mayer had recently bought house
and lot on South b. between First and New
Jersey avenue, for $3.50, and 1t contained
9,196 feet. He now considered 1t worth
| IS, 600.
Mr.. Ordway entered an objection to..the
sale OF this property being taken as cri-
| terioD to value other property.
Isaac Beers said that he built the Lincoln
| House for $l8, 900, but the additions ran the
cost up to $4,000.
Mr.. Smith corrected his testimony TO the
extent that the lots he referred to were In
the square north Of Judge Fields instead
Of adjoining the latter's property.
Francis Hufty stated that he had held q
lot on b, between First and Second north.
east for year back, for which as cents per
foot was asked.
Mrs. Barry appeared and said that Col.
TAFT had made mistakes in regard to her
property, and left with the jury papers in
correction Of the same.
Mr.. Spofrord was recalled, at the request
of Mr.. ordway, and asked II he knew OF the
offers in 72S, but the jury declined to hear
the statement. Mr.. Spofford stated to the
jury that he purchased his property some
years ago for $1,000, and would now will
lngly take s., 600 for It. He did not thinl
there was a property-holder In his square
but would be willing to take less for theil
property in the square than they paid for it
In answer to Mr.. 0rdway, he said that
the depreciation Of the property was moi
due to the library agitation.
The. public hearing at this point was
| closed.