Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-15
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS.
The Rock Creek Park Bill and Other
Measures.

THE SENATE DISTRICT ooHxrrrER APPROVES THE
HOUSE BILL roR CONDENSATION OF LAND ON
ROCK CREEK FOR PUBLIC pARx-orHrs
BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
The Senate-District committee held its reeu-
lar weekly meeting this morning. Every men,
Der. with the exception Of Senator Vance. was
present, and there was q general disposition
evinced to do as much business al possible
There was very lengthy discussion over the
bills Of the House and Senate for the relief OF
the building and mutual loan asso-
Citations Of the District of Columbia
These bills, identical in construction.
provided for the exemption from all taxation
upon mortgages or other securities held by
building and mutual loan associations for
moneys loaned to their own members and Sc
cured upon real estate in the District under
the existing laws. The weight of the discus
sion was unfavorable to such legislation, and
finally Mr.. Farwel was authorized to report
| adversely upon both bills.
ROCK CREEK PARK
was the next subject taken up, and the relative
merits of the House and Senate bills were
weighed. The Senate bill authorized the Dis
trict Commissioners to condemn land on Rock
Creek for the purposes of park, and required
them to report to Congress their condemnation
proceedings and then await an appropriation
This was not regarded as being as satisfactory
a measure as the one proposed by the House
committee, so it was decided to strike out all
OF the Senate bill after the enacting clause and
insert in place thereof the House BILL which
is as follows:
PROVISIONS OF THE HOUSE BILL
That tract of land lying Oh both sides Of
Rock creek. beginning at woodley Lane bridge
and running northwardly, following the course
Of said creek, Of a width not less at any point
than 400 feet, including the bed of the
feet shall be on either side of
said creek, and of such greater width at any
point or points as the Commissioners desig-
mated In this act may select, shall be secured,
as hereinafter set out, and is perpetually dedi-
Gated and set apart as a public park or pleasure
ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the
people of the United States: Provided, how
ever, That the whole tract so to be selected ard
condemned under the provisions Of this act
shall not exceed $500 acres.
Sec. z That the chief Of engineers of the
United States army, the secretary of the Smith
sonian institution and the engineer Commits
sloner Of the District of Columbia be- and they
are hereby, appointed commission to select
the land for said park Of the quantity and
within the limits aforesaid, and to have the
same surveyed by the assistant to the said en-
glneer Commissioner in charge Of public high
ways, which said assistant shall also act as ex-
ecutive officer to the said commission
Sec. 8. That the said commission, immedi-
ate!y after making the selection of said tract,
shall make application to the Supreme Court
OF the District of Columbia, at a general or
special term. by petition containing a particu-
lar description Of the property required with
the name OF the owner or owners thereof. and
his, her, or their residence. as far as the same
can be ascertained, and said court is hereby
authorized and required, upon such applica-
non, and without delay, to ascertain and assess
the damages occasioned by the taking Of said
land to each owner thereof, or to any person
manner provided with reference to the taking
OF land for highways in the District of Co.
lumbia.
Sec f. That the fee-simple of all premises SO
appropriated for public use, of which an ap-
praisement shall have been made under the
order and direction of said court, shall, upon
payment OF the appraised value to the owner
or owners, respectively, or to such persons as
shall be authorized to receive the same for any
such owners, be vested in the United States;
and IL, In any case, the owner or owners of any
portion OF said land shall refuse or neglect.
after the appraisement Of the cash value of
said lands and improvements by said
court, to demand the same from
the said commission, upon depositing
the appraised value in said court to the credit
OF such owner or owners, respectively, the fee
simple of all such lands shall be in like manner
vested in the United States; and the said COM
mission is hereby authorized and required to
pay to the several owner or owners, respect
lively, or to such persons authorized as afore-
said, the appraised value of the several prem
ises as specified in the appraisement by said
court, or to pay into court by deposit as here
inbefore provided the said appraised value.
Sec. 5. That said court may direct the time
and manner in which possession Of the prop
erty condemned shall be taken or delivered
and may, if necessary, enforce any order or
Issue any process for giving possession.
Sec. +. That no delay in making an assess
ment OF compensation, or in taking possession,
shall be occasioned by any doubt which NAV
arise as to the ownership of the property. or
any part thereof, or as to the interests of the
respective owners. In such cases the court
shall require deposit of the money allowed
as compression for the whole property or the
part in dispute. In all cases as soon as the said
commission shall have paid the compensation
assessed or secured its payment by deposit of
money under the order of the court, possession
OF the property may be taken.
Sec. 2. That to defray all expenses of in
curry, survey, assessment, payment for lands
taken and all other necessary expenses incl
dental thereto there is hereby appropriated
out Of any moneys in the treasury not other
wise appropriated, the sum of 81 500 ,O00 or as
much thereof as may be necessary, to be placed
to the credit of said commission and disbursed
on its requisition; Provided. that one-half of
the sum which shall be expended under the
provisions Of this act as also for the mainten-
ance and improvement of said park shall be
paid out of the revenue Of the District of Co.
lumbia.
Sec. 8. That the public park authorized and
established by this act shall be under the ex-
elusive control of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia, whose duty ii shall be
as soon as practicable to make and publish
such regulations as they may deem necessary
or proper for the care and management of the
same. Such regulations shall provide for the
preservation from injury or spoliation of all
timber. animals, or curiosities within said
park, and their retention in their natural con-
dition.
Mr.. Harris was instructed to make the re-
port.
OTHER BILLS.
Mr.. Spooner was instructed to report favora-
bly,, with an amendment, the House bill vest
ing in the vestry Of Christ church, Washington
parish, all Of the right, title, and interest of
the United States in and to square south of
square 1892, in this city.
The subcommittee on the pawnbrokers' bill
were not ready to report, and it is probable
that they will give the interested parties an
other hearing,
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
DEPOSITS OF SECURITIES BIZ INSURANCE coMPA-
MES.
The Commissioners &o-dav o,,bvo;tXad 20