Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-14


TO TIE MIDDLE NAN.
The House District committee gave mp most
of its sessions to-day to beginning an inquiry
into the methods followed in pure ases re-
Gently made BY the District Of sites for public
buildings. The District Commissioners were
present and made statements concerning the
matter under consideration. The session was
held with closed doors, the reporters and
others who desired to be present, being ex-
cluded Mr.. Martin !. Weller, Of the firm Of
Weller q Repetti, real estate dealers, and an
EVENING STAR reporter were the only persons
besides the District Commissioners called upon
BY the committee for information to-day.
THE POLICE STATION SITE.
Mr.. Weller was questioned in relation 10 two
transactions in which he conducted the sales
for the original owners. The purchase Of the
site for the police station on 9th street north
east being regarded az typical case, Mr..
Weller gave the details Of that so far a. they
were in his knowledge. Mr.. Weller in this
case represented the District Real Estate In
vestment company. Mr.. John +. Cox was
the person who made the purchase. The
sold it or supposed they were selling to Daniel
s. Pickrel. Mr.. Cox brought to Mr. Weller in
payment for the property the District Commits
sioners' check for 81, 400. Mr.. Weller returned
to Mr.. Cox by check 1924, the difference be-
sold and the price paid by the Com
missioners, as shown by their check
Mr.. Weller had with him copies Of the real
estate record showing that on the same day
that the site containing lots so, SO and a. square
1856, was transferred by the District real estate
investment company, through its trustees, to
Daniel 8. Pickrefl, consideration not stated, the
same property was transferred to the District
by Daniel 8. Pickrell for S2,4O0 He showed
also the checks that were passed in the trans
action. He said he did not know at first that
Mr.. Cox was dealing for the Commissioners,
said also that in the conversation with Mr..
Wheatley he told him the price Of the ground
was 371S cents.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF MIDpLEMRN.
In answer to questions by the Commissioners
Mr.. Weller maintained that it was as unneces-
sary to employ a middleman to buy school
site as it was to buy a coat or anything else. In
the particular case referred to-the purchase
of the police station site--he said the price,
37x cents foot, was marked on his bulletin
boards and on the plat books of the association,
and could easily be ascertained. He thought
the Commissioners get property at fair prices
by inviting proposals.
THE COMMISSIONERS EXAMINED.
The District Commissioners urged that il
was necessary for them to employ the media
ton Of other persons else they would be at Q
disadvantage in purchasing property on &C.
count OF tendency to raise prices in such o
case or objection of property owners to having
school buildings or police stations located near
them. Mr.. Wheatley, in answer to questions,
said he did not learn what became of the mon
ey received by MIR. Cox in excess OF the price
paid by the District for the property. Mr.
Wheatley denied that Mr.. Cox was his cousin,
but said he was distantly related to him by
marriage. The Commissioner said also that
one reason that the property was transferred
to middleman was that the Commissioners
required a warranty deed
The STAR reporter called upon was ques-
toned briefly to his source of information
for the articles published in The STAR detail
ing circumstances of these sales, and calling
attention to the peculiar state Of affairs shown
by the records.
LONG DISCUSSION, BUT NO ACTION.
After the Commissioners side of the ques-
ton had been heard and the committee-room
cleared of all but the committeeman the
whole subject was discussed for long time
There was difference OF opinion as to whether
enough had already been shown to warrant
the reporting of the resolution for an investi-
cation, or whether they had better take more
preliminary testimony. The long discussion
resulted in the matter going over until the
next meeting Of the committee, ON Tuesday
next week.
THE PAwNBRoKsRs' BILL.
Before this matter was taken up in the COM
mittee they heard arguments for and against
the pawnbrokers' bill An attorney for the
pawnbrokers appeared against the bill, and
representative of the Knights of Labor spoke
in favor of it.
PROPOSED IcE-BoAT FOR THE POTOMAC.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Lee for the con-
struction Of an ice-boat for the Potomac was
considered also. Action on both was post
poned until another meeting.
District IN COuUrosc