Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-29

maps showing the lines Of the many holdings.
At one table was Mr.. Perry, representing the
PARK commission, and ut the other Judge Jere
wilson, 7. A. Lambert 8. Maddox, William
stone. Albert r. Hagner, ALB Duvan, F. D.
Mekenney. c. c. Lancaster and others, repre-
senung tho owners and other interested parties.
THE KLrSGLE PLACE
The commission first took I'M the Klincle
place and all the witnesses were sworn.
Mr.. j.. p. Klingle first testified. stating he
claimed the right of wav OF Che K,inolo Ford
road east of Rock creek under a grant made in
1901. he ohered no testimony as to the value
Oh the land. for the reason that he had accepted
the proposal made. He claimed for the right
01 way one-half the value of the land, Is 600 to
~ 900 square feet. at So 600 per acre. He also
claimed by reason Of discrepancy in the
survey about 1000 square feet in Rosemon.,
lots s3-i, ss-5 and $50. He also claimed the
right OF way Of the old Linoan Hill road.
Mr. HARRY L. FACES LAND.
The next place was that of Harry L.
Pages land, about seven acres on Rock creek,
almost encircled by it, and Mr. Sam Maddox
stated that he had a proposed map OF the trac.
showing how the lots fronted on the Zoo Park,
ana ne expected to show that those overlooking
the zoo were worth 80 to 80 cents per foot and
those on the creek 20 to 80 cents. and that the
buildings were worth from Sl5, Geo to SO 900.
Mr.. PERRY's LITTLE CALCULATION
Mr.. Perry asked that tho commission note
that there were 43, SEQ feet in an acre. and at
Is cents per foot would amount to $40, 900 per
acre.
Mr.. Page testified that he was an architect;
lived on his place: drove in and out TO his of
hce usually in fifteen minutes. He bought
for, 81, ZOO per acre and $4,000 for the inn
provements he had sold to Mr.. Pairo about
ten acres at 81. 200 to 81 400 per acre four
years ago He was about l,5O0 yards from the
cars 1t was bounded by Rosemont Park,
Rock creek and the zoo. Tie ground was
undulating, ninety feet above the creek
and picturesque, and there were go trees.
besides number of peach and other
fruit trees and vegetable garden. The
land in the park opposite is heavily
nmoered with fruit trees. Every one Of the
lots has an available site for buildings and the
creek can be seen from each one.
ME-. PAGE TELLS OF THE BUILDINGS.
Mr.. Page then explained where he would put
the dwellings. As to his house it was a large.
comfortable house, in good order. with modern
improvements. and needed painting, which he
had deferred in consequence of the park pro-
Ject. 1t would cost $4,000 to $1,000 to build
house like 1t and il was worth IS to so per
cent OF that amount. He had put the whole
house III perfect repair. introducing tanks, &c,
ohu ~ Wae u toWn mouse IN the country, with
every convenience except gas. although he had
the pipes. The stable he thought could be
built for %, 000, and the present building was
worth 20 per cent Of o new building, and il
painted it would be as good as new. Plans Of
MIR. Pages house were offered in evidence and
he then offered a map showing the proposed
roads, as also map Of 1ngleside Park.
Mr.. PERRY OBJECTS TO ISoLEs1DE.
Mr.. Perry objected to the introduction of
the laffer nDloae ~ ha
ion was made prior to the act.
Mr.. Maddox claimed that Ireleside was mr.
chased for 90, 700 two years ago and the subdi-
vision was then made
Mr.. Perry denied this and said that the ad-
vertisements OF Ingleside contained the phrase.
opposite the main entrance OF tho magnif-
cent national park"
The commissioners ruled out the Ingleside
map for the present
Mr. Page then presented photographs of his
dwelling, exterior and interior views He had
made an enort to purchase back one of the
Rosemont lots some three years ago and thew
asked him 20 cents per foot.
THE EVIDENCE RULED OUT.
MIR. Perry objected that the price asked was
no evidence of value, and the evidence was ruled
out.
Mr.. Page was subjected to q lengthy cross
examination, eliciting the fact that the pur-
chase In 1885 was In the nature of trade for city
property. 1t was 800 yards from his place TO
the l4th street cars at Park street. and $50 wards
to the viaduct over the creek at Connecticut
avenue.
Mr.. Maddox said that they claimed that the
Geological Park is valuable neighbor. and
proposed to offer the report OF Prof Langley
as to what had been done and what is proposed
to do there.
Mr.. Perry objected. saying no one could say
what was to be done
The commission suggested that the safest
plan would DC to call the witnesses. They had
been through the ooand knew what was there
Mr.. Maddox said that Prot. Langley was a
member of the National Park commission and
was also attached TO the zoo, and he would like to
get the report before the commission At the
suggestion of the commission Mr. Maddox
withdrew the offer.
ENGINEER MooRE's TESTIMONY.
Mr.. c. E. Moore testified to the correctness
Of the maps presented to Mr.. Page; that the
trees-about z70-measured from six inches to
two feet in diameter and were of oak, walnut,
&c, native forest growth. There were in the
lots overlooking the zoo 49,, 1856 square feet and
of those overlooking the creek l39, $50 square
feet.
REAL ESTATE BETTER THAN LAW.
Robert Z. Pairo followed and was examined
by Mr.. Maddox. He testified that he was a
member Of the bar, but finding real estate more
profitable was engaged in real estate. He was
first connected with the Eslin estate in 1884.
The highest price he had heard Of was as
cents, and he sold one lot since the passage of
the park act at 81 cents. This was struck out.
He at one time owned lots at 18th and Park-in
1884 or 1SS5-and sold them at l6 cents per foot
He would buy them back today at IS cents per
foot. He had been connected with the Brook |
land syndicate, and had sold lots there as high
as ~ cents. 1t was since the passage Of the |
park act, but it was about four miles awav
Laughter He purchased two acres Of Mr.. |
Page in February, 1887, paying 81 $50 per ocre |
and subdivided 1t and called it Rosemont Park.
He sold all the lots but one before July of that
year. Mr.. Pairo described the lots, lot 1. 10 |
and Is, over 5000 feet. which he sold in April
1887, at IL cents per foot. Other lots sold as
low as 6 cents, and in May. 1890, he sold one at
20 cents per foot. In June, 1880, one was pur-
chased at 10 cents and subsequently, there were |
sales at IA cents per foot.
BuuDER LARcoxBE's OPINION.
Mr.. John Larcombe testified that he vas a |
builder and had examined Mrs. Page improve
ments. To replace the house it would cost |
81, 225. and It was worth &l4OO0 now. The
stable was worth 81, 200 as it stands |
On cross-examination witness said he could |
not say what it would sell for and based his |
opinion on what the improvements would cost. |
had walked slowly from the Klingle Ford bridge |
to the Connecticut avenue bridge in four |
minutes.
On cross-examination witness repeated that /
he bought Rosemont liz 1887 at 81 go per acre
1~~<ln 49, A. 4