Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-01
THE ROCK CREEK PARK LAND.
Mr.. TruesdeIl's Cross-Examination Occupies
Nearly all Day.

Mr.. TruesdeIl's Cross-Examination Occupies
Nearly all Day.
Yesterday afternoon Messrs. James L. Norris,
George J. Seufierle and n. W. Burchell, the
Rock Greek Park commission to appraise
values, continued their session to 4 o'clock
Tho entire afternoon was devoted 70 the cross
examination of Col Truesdell by Mr.. Wilson.
and ii was no. completed. Col Truesdell de-
scribed At length HE visits to the lands on
Friday and Saturday last and gave his reasons
for valuing the lind, describing some tracts ss
adapted to villa sites and building lots. &c.
During the day q gentleman passed around to
the lawyers his scarf pin set with topaz the
size Of small pea and remarked that he had
found the setting several years ago in the val
ley OF Rock creek. The jewel was examined
with interest, and the finding Of diamonds was
suggested.
ME- IRrrspLLL STILL on THE STAND.
On reassembling this morning, after some
pleasantries between the several counsel and
commission, Mr.. Truesdell resumed the stand
for further cross-exsmina,ion by Mr.. Wilson.
In the course of the examination on q dis
crepancy between his testimony in chief and
cross examination being called to Co, Truesdell s
attention he declined to testify further without
his notes. Mr.. W. Stone Albert moved, unless
witness testified from memory, that all his tes-
timony be stricken out
The commission overruled the motion. but
Col. Truesdell said he would testify from pem-
DRY. As TO the prices or sales he said he saw
some in the papers, but had been told of some
by Messrs. Paul and Carpenter. and they wero
discussed by Mr.. Paul last week in the field and
at his house.
He had given in all these cases what he con-
sidered the market price. but the estimate of an
owner rs to property he did not desire to sell
did not make the market prlce-
Judge Wilson said il had been shown that
property had been sold In Rosemont Park AZ
rs cents per foot
Col. Truesdell said he did not think the sales
were at that figure; 10 cents would be fair
average, and today there was not a lot there
worth 90 cents. He hoped that the lot holders
there would get the purchase money with in
terest and taxes added. II he was called on to
base values, with reference to sales two years
ago, he would have to give different figures.
INFLUENCE OF TIE PARK PROJECT.
1t wss understood then that the park would
be established, and in his judgment tho sales
were made In anticipation. Last year was a
panic or stringency In the money market and
county property first felt it, anG the market be-
came exceedingly dull.
1t was his judgment that lots in Rosement
would not bring % cents per foot. lie had
based his valuation as TO the present and not
the rest He knew that real estate men used
the proposed park as a stimulation 10 purchas-
ers OF lands near the park.
After stating at length why the lands in the
park were not worth more than he had stated
1t being rugged. inaccessible by public road &c.
Mr.. wilson said that to SUMMARIZE the park
must be taken to keep up the outside values.
Col. Trusdell said Judge Wilson could put
his own construction upon his words, but
witness had no such meaning.
PRINTING THE TESTIMONY.
On reassembling the commission stated they
had received letter from the public printer
estimating the cost Of printing the record at
$1,000
Several of the counsel expressed the opinion
that the sum excessive; that there were
2,400 pages of typewriting, which would make
about SUI pages, and they could be printed for
10 cents to so cents page.
The letter of Chairman Norris and the Attor-
ney General setting forth the necessity in the
economy Of time and the record itself for
printing was read
The suggestions were made as to how it
would be paid for and whether the account
therefore would be allowed at the treasury
3. The suggestion was made also that the mat
ter be referred to the commission.
MIR. Perry said that he could in that event say
that there was good reason to believe it would
be printed.
The subject was then referred to the COM
mission.
HAD NOT CONSIDERED WATER POWER.
Col. Truesdell was further cross-examined
and said tina. in his estimate of value he had
not considered the water power as an ele-
ment of value, and the stone quarry was
of SO little value that he did not consider it.
The long haul over the road operates against
the value Of the stone.
He was not aware that before the passage Of
the act royalty of IS cents per cubic yard was
paid for the stone quarried.