New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-25
PRICE THREE CENTS.
A NEW WASHINGTON RING
HOW DISTRICT TAXPAYERS MAY Bn
FLEECED

TIoNs-BUILDTNG NEw ROADS TO RED ToP"-
PRESIDENT CLEvELAND's LUCK DOES NOT DE
sERr ELM.
Ifkoh REGULAR CORRESPONDENT TRrBUSy7
WAsHINGTON, Oct 24-For several months past
there has been good deal of quiet comment in
Washington respecting the crations OF q real
estate ring composed in part of Dcmocraiio
oihceholdcrs. who. ii is alleged. are usin, their
Official and political, well as personal inlu nca
10 promote the private specuIations in which uey
are engaged Readers of The TaiBu NAV re-
member the investigation undertaken by Con rss
In 1876 OF the operations OF an ALLEGED "Real
Estate Pool in the District of Columbia in which
Alexander r. Shepherd and other Off eholdcrs and
politicians were concerned The cry Of hoi ror that
rose from Democratic newspapers then cannot
have been forgotten. From careful injuries
male by TRIBUNE correspondent during tie last
few weeks 1T appears that the present scheme
originated with certain rromincnt Democrats Of
a SPECULATIVE turn OF mind little more than u
year agO, after the purchase by Secretary Whitney
or suburban pace several miles north 4 George
town. The first step was TO induce President
Cleveland to become the owner Of property in that
neighborhood, and the next was the acquisition
by members Of the proposed "rng7 OF property
in the same vicinity before Mr.. Clcve,ani's pur-
pose became generally known 1t may be that
plated only modest speculation. in which they
could bank upon the names Of MIR Cle,e and
and his Secretary Of the Navy. who naturally
would be regarded as desirable AMI profitable
ncighbOrs by investors Of certain sort How
ever that may have been. later developments in
dicate that tie Presidents dete minati, to etin
the Pan Electric speculators in Office emboldened
the men who had embarked in this scheme to en-
large the scope Of their operations AMI bring the
resources Of the District Government to their aid.
1t is not necessary to believe that the President
was cognzant or had q suspicion Of their pun pose
that any information respecting il impaired
TO Private Secretary Lamont or that he had any
interest in the enterprise. Neither is II necessary
to share the belief Of many persons who have ii,
the subject careful attention that Mr Cleveland
became the owner of Red Top without paying
s2l 500 for it. Even IL he did accept the place
as gift as so many persons assert and believe.
there was nothing unlawful in tie t ansact on.
however sharply the propricty of it may be fairy
criticised. OF course. if the plans Of i'm To, EN-, mt
lately disclosed by the District Commissioners 40
carried out, the value OF the pro- cIty held by
President Cleveland and Mr.. Whitney will be
greatly enhanced without any SUI stantial benefit
TO the taxpayers of the District Of Columbia ex-
cept the few men who are fortunate enough TO own
real estate in that ncighborhOod. Still. il is not
necessary 10 believe that the President knowingly
embarked in real estate speculation tie profits
Of which are mainly, If not wholly, dependent on
official and public appropriations
The property selected as suitable. i'm the udg.
ment Of the spcculatos. for the Presidents coun-
try residence as well for their own purp ses.
is situated little more than thee miles northwest
)f the White House a bird flies. The ho SO
S built Of stone and before the lcc mt eytens, o
mi l.
ding anl rather dila idated structure seated on
a barren knoll com risin some twsn y-eight ac es.
About an acre. at some distan,e from the house.
is co, cred by a growth of small oaks. Before lts
purchase for Mr. Cleveland the lace was known
IS "Pretty Prospect. because ii afforded q pleas
ant view Of Washin ton and the Potomac. The
new name Red Top. derives it's approp a eness
from the fact that the roof OF the house n, be n
painted brilliant red. The exterior of the bui d.
ing has been improved by carrying up the main
walls several feet and adding a wosiory vci an ah
on three sides and the interior has been
arranged with an eye tD comic T. II is estimated
that tie re airs and alterations when comp' ted
will have cost some $4,000. The improNem nts
already made include broad. e1a' elei roadway
quarter of mile long, Xten.ing from Noydy
lane 10 the hols
Red Top" is situated on a corner formed by
Road On tie opposite side of the arter Ioal AMI
quarter Of mile distant is Grassland. tie
country seat Of Mr. Whitney Nea ly a mile TO
he north is the little ham,ct Of Ten lllytown ani
II a somewhat greater distance TO the south tho
tIeets of Georgetown begin From the EAe nuye
Mansion to Red Top the ia ell streets Of
ashin. ton an Georgetown and the Ienallytown
Road is nearly four miles; by Woody Lane tho
Iistance is somewhat less. and it Will lie shortened
o tnfc more than thee mil's by the PM sed
Xtension OF Massachusetts, ave t. the lenalYto"n
Road An afternoon drive on one OF th,se n'eas-
mt October days throu.h tie region surrounding
I" Red Too is pleasure long TO be remembered
caving the White House by one Of the br ad and
but rather dirty streets for the Dem-
cl attic "cean sweep in Washington does not
,nlv to them-One soon finds himself on ne
cights which crown the northern bo"n larry OF
he National capital. and from which magniicent
lew is obtained. New houses are seen n c esy
and and many more are building Al the rigt
ne the walls OF the stately mansion TO be occu
led by Justice Harlan, OF the supreme Court.
luch of the surrounding property has been in
market and paying heavy taxes for twenty years.
mt for some reason the District autho ities haVo
ot seen fit To gIade the streets. lay sidewalks
nd make other needed improvements. and the e.
ore MERIDIAN Hill" and "UnlNe.s sity Park with
II their natural advantages, present a ragged ar-
earance. Beyond them as one strikes WoOdv
.ane and descenls into the beautiful valley OF
,oclx Creek an easier and smoother road Is formed
nd 1t grows better the distance fiom tuwn In
,co.cs. until in front Of Red Top 1t Is as
ard and smooth as a floor and is hned
mn welLpaved cutters. Evidently the Disuict
commissioners have not been niggardy IN their
xpcndituIcs on this road which wn throusb
rolen and rugged but very attractive rgh n.
tanding the bridge over Rock Greek AMI
oking down stream the eye rests upon scene OF
lousite beauty. The afternoon sun lights up tho
ctober landscape and brings out and blcns the
yriad shades of the autumn foliage of the maple.
le beech. the sumach, and the sassafras with the
Der russcts and browns of the oak. and turns
-. alaa. .i.,,li,,r cllrnnnf of Rock Cr.e< into