Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-07
THE POST OFFICE SITE.

The Commission Resumes Its Hearing Is to
the Value of the Property.
The post Office site commission met this
morning at the court house.
Mr.. o. G.. Green was the first witness. He
testified that he knew the premises occupied by
Mr.. Simmons and that $50 per month was a fair
rental value. A lease for three years would be
decreased 20 per cent in value if it terminated
on the death of the lessor
r. o. Holtzman testified that $50 would be a
fair rental for the property occupied by Sim
mons. He would not buy lease terminated by
the death Of the lessor as an investment.
C. C. Duncanson estimated the rental value
at $40 and in lease of this kind would take
even chances-give one-haf for an absolute
lease.
On cross-examination by Mr.. johnson. Mr..
Duncanson said the physical condition and age
of the lessor would affect him as TO the price.
By the government-He offered property on
the north side Of 18th and l4th streets north
west, adjoining Burchells, and the highest bid
was S19 per foot
J. W. Pilllng of T. E. waggaman 4 Co. testi-
fed that the rental value of simmons stable
was about $50 per month. A lease conditioned
on life estate he would not buy as an invest
ment
Mr.. ". Walter. the lessor, testified that he
health.
THE HERMAN THEATER PROPERTY.
Mr.. Pilling was recalled by the government
and testified his firm owned fve-sixths and
Mrs. Caulfield one-sixth of the Herman Theater
property offered for sale yesterday. The un-
derstanding was as to the corner opposite that
q bid Of Sc would be accepted. The highest
price was 1878, but he understood Mr.. Madi-
gan offered "a per foot. This square was
about two feet below the grade. There were
complications as to the sale of the Herman
property. The reserve bid was $40, 900. which
would be about S6 per foot, leaving go. 900 for
the improvements, which had cost MIR. Herman
1900. or 81 per foot with improvements.
The adjoining lot on street had bid Of s.. rs
per foot and Mrs. Caulfeld was willing to sell
It at Sc per foot. 1t is "A by So feet deep.
By Mr.. Abert-Mr. Kernan's lease had seven
years. The property was not offered under
the most advantageous circumstances.
By Mr.. Taggert-Mrs. Caulfield wanted IS
per foot for the lower square and Ella per foot
for the Herman property.
BY Mr. Perry-The property was offered as q
brought much more.
Col. Strong Was recalled at his request, and
corrected an error in his testimony a few days
since. as two pieces of property, which he was
understood to say cost him $50 per foot. He
explained that the two pieces cost an average
of S46.25 per foot He could not remember
the exact amount paid for + and 18th streets
The government called F. Hufty, who testi-
fed that he held square go for some months on
an option Of % per foot.
MIR. M'EUEN's VALUATION.
G. A. McEuen testified that he had examined
the square in question and placed valuation
on the property. Commencing at llth and the
avenue he valued 50 by 100 feet at els per foot;
the next, lot 10, same size, &l2: 3 at $l0 per
foot and 8. at the corner of 18th, at Sl2 per
foot. The G street property he valued at from
"a to $5 per foot, and the 18th and 18th street
at $6 per foot. These valuations he
put on the ground without the improvements
He did not think the power house would ap-
preciate the value Of property about il. The
northwest corner Of 18th and d streets brought
1887 per square foot. The project of estsb-
fishing the post office on square 323 has appre-
ciated the property, but not doubled the value
On cross-examination by Mr.. Perry Mr.. Nc
Euen declined to answer a. to how much he
was interested in Prince Georges and Mont
gomery counties, but answered - TO his deal
ings In the District