Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-05
WEST BROOKLAND PROPERTY.
The Agents Write a Letter on the Sub
ject to the Commissioners.

Messrs. Walker & Wilson, the agents for the
West Brookland property, the subdivision OF
which has bean the theme of official contro-
versy, have written letter to the Commission
ers. They claim that the subdivision COM
planned of by Capt. Symons is the best that
could have been made with reference to the
situation of the land. The owners, they say,
would have been glad to have had the District
surveyed the streets, and paid for the land
taken and damage done.
Capt. SymOns," they write, ''no doubt
should notify the Commissioners If he thinks a
subdivision is illegal, and request the opinion
of the law officer Of the District on the subject,
but when he, without waiting for that opinion,
attempts to stigmatize the offering Of this
property for sale as an attempt to delude the
public, he goes beyond his official duties
and commits an outrage ON the
rights of private citizen. Why don't he ask
the Commissioners to warn the public against
buying lots in all other subdivisions that are
not in conformity with the streets Of Washing
ton-and there are only one or two that are in
conformity with said streets. They will all be af-
fected alike when the streets are extended
The act Of August, 1888, requires,
in order'to have a subdivision recorded
in the surveyors Office, the approval
Brookland were advised by their attorney that
there was nothing in that act or any other to
prevent them from subdividing and selling
their property as they desired, without your
approval, and that the title they gave to pur-
chasers would be good and legal one, and
risk in buying in any recorded SUBJ
division where the streets are not
in conformity with those of Washington.
Congress has made no provision for the survey
of streets beyond the city, and it will probably
be several years before it is done. Is the owner
Of property, for which there is q demand, to
let his property and capital invested in prop
erty remain idle until that time, or be put to
the great expense Of surveying the streets from
the city to his property; and then what
viii be extended when Tue they s"s srs
liable to be changed to suit the topography of
the country or upon the recommendation of
some future Commissioner?s''
''In conclusion" they add, 1--WE would say
that it will be q sad day for the liberties of the
guaranteed by the constitution can be trampled
on az is proposed by Capt. Symons."
Archbishop Gibbons Reply.
HIS VERSION OF THE CONDUCT OF THE CONTRACTOR
FOR BUILDING ST. JOsEPHs CHURCH.
Messrs. Morris and Hamilton to-day, for
Cardinal Archbishop Gibbons Rev. v. r..
Schmidt and others, in the suit to enforce a
mechanic'slien, entered by John Edwards. con-
tractor Of the erection Of st. Joseph's church,
fled the answer of the archbishop The con-
tract made for the erection Of church build
ing for "a, 900 is admitted. II is denied that
the plans were varied in any way to create ad-
ditional expense and denied that there is any
moneys due Edwards on the contract. It is
stated that the contractor abandoned the work;
that it was provided for the retention of Is
per cent, which could be used for the hqui-
dation OF any damage occasioned by the act,
and complainant has received more than 81
tNHth o pook =