Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-25
THE PUBLIC RESERVATIONS.
The Commissioners Claim No Jurisdic'
ton Over Them.

short time ago Col. John NJ. Wilson, who has
Charge OF the public buildings and grounds, wrote
to the Commissioners requesting Information as tC
what extent they claimed Jurisdiction over the
smaller United States reservations. This action
was brought about by Col. Wilson from the fact
that In great many instances where United
States property adoned private lots the fences OF
the former were thrown down, the owners OF the
lots claiming that they had the authority OF the
building inspector.
The Commissioners, In answer to Colonel Wilson,
say that the technical term reservation" as used
with reference to property embraced in the plan
OF the city OF Washington, refers only to certain
squares ana spaces reserved In the original plat
the city for purposes OF public buildings or public
intersection OF streets and avenues were not
strictly speaking, reservations. OF the two desig-
nationS OF property, the former reservations,
strictly speaking, were not numerous; OF the latter
or spaces and intersections, the number is very
great.
The Commissioners say further, that in the dvl-
sion OF the property upon which the city stands
between the original proprietor and the commits
S!onerS appointed TO make the division, made
March 30. 119l II Is distinctly provided shat the
lots only which shall be laid Off, shall be Joint
property between the trustees on behalf OF the
public and each present proprietor, and shall be
fairly and equally divided between the public and
the indiv Idua," anu 1t Is further provided that
''the President may retain any number OF squares
he may think proper for pubic improvements or
tors shall receive no compensation, but Tor the
squares or lands in any form which shall be taken
for public buildings or any kind or public improve
ments or uses, the proprietors Whose lands shall
be taken shall receive at the rate OF Cos pounds
per acre TO De paid by the public. The Commits
sioner5 say that the conclusion seems H.
ev1table, that over the reservations and
spaces or intersections referred to the
Commissioners have no jurisdiction except
go far as the same has been given to them by acts
OF Congress extending tEeir police authority over
the same. The city was originally divided into
squares lots and streets, and the streets were so
arranged as to make at these intersections open
spaces. or the squares certain ones were reserved
Tor public uses and IL would seem paid for at
rate agreed upon. The streets were ded by the
original propretors TO the United States absolutely
and without compensation. The lots were
divided equally between the proprietors and
tie public. upon q plan recognized and
agreed upon. All titles, the commissioners
say, 10 real estate In this city depend upon
this subdivision. These alternate lots were all
the property taken by the prOpretors in the divi-
sion and everything else-the streets, spaces, in
tersections and reservations belong TO the United
States The Commissioners say In conclusion that
they claim no Jurisdiction over the property TO
which Col. Wilson refers and that hereafter they
Will be governed in their action by such conclusion