Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-16

VALUE OF THE WHOLE TRACT AND INDIVIDUAL
Lors-rHE TESTIMONY BEGUN.
The commission appointed to condemn the
square on the south side of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. opposite THE STAR Office for the site of
the proposed city post Office building
began its public session this morning
in the old Circuit Court room. The
members Of the commission having
personally viewed the various pieces Of prop
erty in the square, the object Of the public
session is to give property owners and their
representatives an opportunity to present their
views as to the value of the properties. The
property owners were notified that the hearing
would begin at IL o'clock.
At that time Judge James, attended by the
members of the commission-W. s. Thompson,
John I. Lehman and John A. Hamiton-en-
tered the court room. Judge James took the
usual seat occupied by the judge when a court
is in session. The members of the commission
sat behind the long desk used by the clerks of
the court. There was mot a large attendance,
the property owners being represented mainly
by group OF lawyers. Mr.. Taggart, the
assistant district attorney, appeared for the
government and Gen. West was associated with
him.
JUDGE JAMES GIVES MORE INSTRUCTIONS
Judge James began the proceeding by giving
some additional instructions to the commits
sioners, based on prayers made by counsel for
the property owners.
He said that the sugg estion was considered
that as all of the lots in square 3l3 are TO be
taken, the uses to which the whole square is
adaptable as unit should be taken into ac-
count in determining the market
value of these properties. 1t was
maintained on the other Rand that a value
which would accrue if the status of these sew
eral properties were altered, as il would be by
their becoming one property, was irrelevent to
the question of their present value as several
and unconnected lots. 1t has been maintained,
| the judge observed, that each of the lots
has a present market value as a property
bought by party who proposes to buy all of
| the other lots in the same square with view to
applying them to q use to which their united
condition would adapt them. The judge re-
marked that this statement assumed an existing
market in which single buyers would take all
the lots with view to their use a unit.
QUESTION OF FACT AND NOT POSSIBILITY.
In passing upon this suggestion Judge James
said that he would instruct the commissioners
that it is to be kept in mind that the market
| value contemplated by the law in cases of con-
demnation for public uses is a question of ia ct
and not of mere possibility. and that in order to
find that each of these several lots has a
market value arising from the fact that it is q
part of larger territory which is adapted to
use a unit they must first be satisfied that
| there is reasonable probability of a market for
each of those lots with q view to their being SO
united.
"If the Commissioners" the judge con-
cluded, ''shall ascertain that there is any such
market and can determine what value in such
| market each of those lots now has with a view
| to the purchase and uniting of all Of them for
use as an united property, they are author
lied to adopt such value the market value
| of the several lots
Judge james also ruled that where it was an
advantage TO the property to consider the sew
eral adjoining lots under one ownership. .seither
as a whole or several pieces. that the Com
missioners could adopt either course.
GROUP OF INFANTS.
After completing his instructions, Judge james
| and the Commissioners were left in charge. As
| there was no clerk Of the court present several
witnesses were sent around to the clerk 4
Office, where the oath was administered.
A group Of ofinfants, as five rather mature young
| men and women were characterized in legal
phrase, were presented to the court for the pur-
| pose of having a trustee appointed to repre-
| sent their interests.
1t was decided that in hearing testimony the
| commission would take up each piece of prop
erty separately, beginning at the corner of
11th and streets. Before, however, taking
| up this order, at the request of Mr.. William
F. Mattingly, the legal representative
Of the Jessup estate, Mr.. r. o.
| Hoffman the real estate broker testified as to
| the value of the entire square In order to
| bring out the value Of this square Mr.. Holtz-
| man testified as to the prices paid for square
255, which, as agent OF the Washington and
Georgetown Railroad Company, he recently
purchased. This square is located on the south
| side of Pennsylvania avenue, opposite the
National Theater.
PRICES PAID FOR SQUARE 255.
II ..~ al Al.
piece of property in the square and said that
for the special purposes for which the square
was intended he considered that the
price paid for it was not excessive. He
| thought that square 323, the proposed site for
| the post Office was more valuable than
square 255, for the reason shat II was nearer
| to the business center. He thought that the
| difference in value between the two squares
| amounted to at least 81 per square foot in
| favor of square 1913. He said that while
square 1923 had been known to be overfowed
with water that square 255 was entirely free
from the inroads OF high water. He consid-
cred that this circumstance added to the value
of square 255. He said that he expected to pay
about S425, 900 for square 255, but actually did
pay $3.50, 900. Ifhe had secured it at the former
| price he would have considered that he got the
property at a cheap figure.
GEO. W. MANrz rEsTIFrEs.
The owner Of the property at the northwest
corner Of 11th and c streets, Mr. Geo. w.
Mantz, then testified that in his opinion his
property was worth els per foot. The rent
was $50 per month, which lie thought
was less than he could get if he
wished to make q change. He admitted,
however, that $50 per month was about as
much as he could expect to get and in reply to
| a question from Commissioner Thompson said
| that he did not think $50 per month a very
| good income on $25, 900, which is the valua-
| ton placed on the pr operty.
LAWYER WILLIAMS GIVES EVIDENCE.
Mr.. A. B. Williams, attorney-at-law, was next
called, and he gave evidence corroborating Mr.
Mantz Witness said he thought most of the
property in the square was worth SII or S12 per
| foot at least The Globe Theater and the Downing
property he thought were worth about S23
| while that of thek Independent Ice Company
corner of 18th street, was probably worth Sl8
per foot. Along the l2th-street side of the
| square he thoaght was less valuable
because there is police station
opposite, and a police station always depre-
ciates the value VI property. Parcel No. s, on
| the street front, he thought was worth eli.
and parcel shout the same. Parcel IL, being
some distance from the police station. he
thought was worth $12, while that directly in
| front of the station was worth 91l, but for the
purposes for which it is to be used it is worth
| rs much a. the other.
A BusISEss MEETING AND NO RECESS.
During the examination of Mr. Williams IL
1