Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-23
THINKS 100000 ENOUGH.

Mr. Perry Concludes His Argument Before
the Rock Creek Park Commission.
Mr.. R. Ross Perry, representing the govern
ment in the Rock Greek Park condemnation
proceedings, resumed this morning his argu-
ment on behalf of the government Much had
been said. stated Mr.. Perry, Of the heartless
severance by the strong hand Of the govern
ment Of family ties, the destruction of old
homesteads. But the facts in this case
show that with rare exceptions every tract in
the limits of this proposed park had been offered
for sale time and time again. Yet gentlemen
on the other side had the effrontery to speak
now Of that grand sentiment, the
love Of home ties and Of the disin-
clination of their clients to part with
the scenes Of their childhood. He dismissed
the subject with the remark that such argu-
ments might do for children in swaddling
clothes, but certainly not for men.
HE THINKS 500, 600 ENOUGH.
Dealing with the whole evidence in this case.
said Mr.. Perry, and placing the most liberal
appreciation on the sales testified to by wit
nesses for the land owners of their lands, he
had the right to argue that S400, 600 would be q
fair and just price for every foot Of land in the
proposed park.
He did not give these figures as his own
he did give them as a legitimate result Of the
testimony OF the owners own witnesses.
Mr. Perry being asked by Judge Wilson what
was his value of the Warder tract, Mr.. Perry
replied: Why did you not put me on the
Judge Wilson-we had seriously considered
doing SO, Mr.. Perry, but out of respect for the
great deiicacy Of such step we decided other
wise.
Speaking Of the natural beauty and grandeur
OF certain tracts in the proposed park, Mr..
Perry said that he agreed with the land owners
that such land was unrivaled for such beauty
and grandeur, but who but the govern
ment could perpetuate these features? Yet
one owner argued that the land was fit only for
mill sites, another that it was. best suited for
supplying electric power. and still another that
its sole use was for villa sites, SO diversified
were the ideas and beliefs Of the different
owners.
FOR AN ATHLETIC COW.
Referring to the tract owned by Mr.. Archi-
bald White, No. q, Mr.. Perry said it might do
to pasture an athletic COW on, capable of
hanging on, as 1t were. or it might do for a
frog farm when the creek was full but for what
other use it was valuable outside OF park uses
had not been disclosed.
There need be no fear anywhere that the
Land owners In this case would be at disad-
vantage, for from the beginning of the case
they had been represented by the ablest law
yers at this bar. On the other hand, the gov
eminent had for the most part been repre-
sented by but q single man. The plan of the
counsel Tor the land owners had been from
the outset to set such high value on their
lands as to obtain such splitting Of the differ
ence between their prices and those of the gov
eminent as would more than satisfy them.
Judge Wilson, said Mr.. Perry, considered him
self . cross-sxaminer, but for five days he
had contended with a man, Col. Truesdell,
who had literally hung his distinguished op:
ponent up by the heels. The services Of Mr..
Paul in this case had been given without
thought OF compensation, and tbose services
have been simply invaluable to the interests Of
the government. and his testimony needed
no defense-it spoke for itself. So in respect
to the testimony given by Mr.. Saunders.
1t had been sneered at and belittled,
but all the government asked of the
commission was a careful consideration of his
evidence. The question of the water power to
be derived from Rock creek Mr.. Perry showed
was Of little If any value, for the reason that
the receipts would not cover the expenses.
The strongest possible argument against its
utility was that 1t had been used.
HIS CONCLUSION.
Concluding his argument, Mr.. Perry said he
felt that he had done but scant Justice to the
case IN the time he had occupied. The case
had been remarkable for the celebrity and ability
with which it had been conducted. If there
had fallen from his lips at any time
words which had given ofense, he
apologized and asked that the great
responsibility which had rested upon him
might be remembered. He wanted every man
to receive fair and just compensation for his
land, but he hoped that the vultures which had
rushed in to feed upon the govern
ment would be rebuked. Justice was
demanded, not alone for the government but
as well for the humble taxpayer, who paid his
little share Of the burden Of our government
An Account for Forty-two Years Wanted.
Annie R. Nash ct al have fled, by Messrs.
A. A. Lipscomb and h. +. Woodland. q bill