Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-26

Yesterday afternoon the commissioners on
the value Of property in Rock Greek Park
(Messrs. Norris. Burchell and Seutferle) con-
tinued their session at the court house, and Mr..
I. H. Goldsborough occupied the stand TIL 4
O'Clock, and his cross-examination was not
then concluded.
Mr.. Goldsborough said that he in general
way had been interested in the park, for he be-
lieved it would be of value and advantage to
the District and that the land selected was
adapted for park purposes, but he had not per-
sonaiiy urged tho project. On being asked il
ne had known what the government had paid
or offered for the properties witness answered
that he had in some cases.
Mr. Perry remarked that in the preparation
OF MS case he deemed it important to ascertain
wnat the witnesses would testify to. and had
prepared q list OF offers made by the govern
ment and sent them to the agents with the
request that they should not be used by them
IN making their estimates of value.
AN ANSWER THAT WAS STRICKEN OUT.
MIR. Goldsborough said he had received one
81 the lists and lost it, but he had heard Of
some OF the offers Mr.. Goldsborough then
spoke OF going over the property, and men,
toned that the Zepp tract had been offered to
MIN one and one-half years ago at S225 per
acre. This answer was stricken out. He had
land, Its convenience, &c. The John w.
thompson tract being on Massachusetts avenue
and convenient to the city was better worth
x Sooo Re en- acre e. than mt, the Page property
there had been many purchases in the
Rock Creek valley, but there had been great
number in the northwest the percentage OF
increase along the line or near the railroads
being from 100 to 500 per cent, and in his judy
m I9 property is worth all Of that apprecia-
AN OFFER OF THE BLAGDEN TRACT.
-Four years ago Mr.. Blagden offered him sixty
six or sixty-seven acres of land at SOS 600 and
witness offered him $500 per acre and he re-
garded it as fair value. There was an impress
sion then that there would be demand for villa
sites, for which it was well adapted.
MIR. Goldsborough was questioned as to his
ownership OF property west Of the creek and
along the Tenleytown road and asked where was
makers six acres to be had. Mr.. Goldsborough
answered that he did not know of such place
roDAY's PROCEEDINGS
The commission resumed its session this
morning.
Mr. Perry said that in making his argument
yesterday he was reported as stating that testi-
mony had been taken as to properties further
than he intended-to Rockville and the Great
Falls-when, in point Of fact, the Palisades Of
the Potomac in one direction and Kensington
in another were the farthest points. He made
this statement in justice to the commission.
MIR. James c. SpriSg was called by the gov
eminent and he testified that he acted for Mr..
John R. Dos Passos in the purchase of the
Swart land, treating with Mr.. Goff
AN OBJECTION MADE.
Mr.. VIM. Stone Albert for Mr.. Dos Passos
objected on the ground that the evidence should
be as to the present value and it was not mate
rial as to what was paid for the land four years
ago or over.
Mr.. Perry claimed that he was entitled to the
testimony rs to what was paid for the land in
1887; that the case was fun of testimony as to
what owners had paid for the land at similar
and more remote periods. The recitation of
the consideration in the deed was not an estop-
pei on the government, but only on the parties
to the deed.
Mr.. Wilson said the deed was introduced as
| to title and not as to the amount paid.
Mr.. Perry said that he called Mr.. Sprigg to
prove the amount paid, and he was met with
the objection that it could not be proved be-
| cause the deed was in evidence.
Mr.. Wilson then argued that the question was
to the value of the land and that the consider
alton in the deed was not involved.
Mr.. Perry read an authority and asked il Mr..
Wilson objected to it.
Mr.. Wilson replied that he did.
Mr.. Abert-The statute of limitations inter-
venes here.
Mr.. Wilson said he would take time to argue
and present authorities on the point.
Mr.. Perry continued reading authority,
claiming that it was perfectly competent to
take the testimony; that sales seventeen years
back had been considered with the subsequent
change of values. There had been no testimony
as to Mr.. Dos Passes land valuation save the
recitation in the deed.
THE EVIDENCE ADMITTED.
The commission decided to admit the evil
dence and Mr.. Albert excepted to the ruling
Mr.. Sprigg said that he purchased the land
for S53125 on May IS, 1897, the deed calling
for 1857 acres, Of which 80 acres had been
conveyed to the government for a road. Mr..
Sprigg produced the original contract by Mr..
Golf with himself
Mr.. Albert objected, as Mr.. Dos Passes name
was not in it.
MIR. Sprigg testified he was acting for Mr..
Dos Passes. but he knew nothing personally as