Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-17
ROCK CREEK PARK LANDS

Paul.
The Rock Creek Park appraising commission
continued its session yesterday afternoon in the
court house.
Mr.. Joseph Paul on his cross-ex Examination by
Mr.. Mckinney said that his idea was that the
Rock Greek commissioners bought the Warden
tract in order to establish values.
why" asked Mr.. Mckinney, did you NOT
take that sale as basis?''
Mr.. Paul: II thought they paid too much"
The commissioners have said they could not
receive the evidence as to what was paid.
Mr.. Perry said he would be glad to have the
testimony in, but while some Of the counsel
wanted such testimony Mr.. Lee had notified
him that he would object to the question.
The commission ruled that the price could
not be given and Mr.. Mckinney remarked he
would not go further.
Mr.. Paul was examined a. to how the sale
Of the Cummings and other tracts affected his
judgment
Mr.. Perry said that he would be glad to have
the testimony in, but some of the counsel on
the other side disagreed with Mr.. Mckinney
and would object.
The commission ruled that the price could
not be given and Mr. McKenney remarked that
he would 90 no further.
Mr.. Paul was then questioned as to how GER
tain sales affected his judgment. He did not
think the establishment of the park would
affect the real estate market and had not 90
told Mr.. Dyer.
Messrs i. A. Lambert, Randall Hagner and
VIM. Stone Albert cross-eXamined MIR. Paul till
the hour Of adjournment
This morning Mr.. Paul was further cross-ex.
amined by Messrs. VIM. Stone Albert and Blair
Lee as to distances, the ACCESSIBILITY Of dividing
up certain tracts, their value, &c. He was asked
hat ~ 31,a
worth 81 200 per acre what would be the value
Of the rear part, on which he put valuation
Of $500. Mr.. Paul said he could not raise the
figures
By Mr.. Davis-It 10 difficult to tell how rail-
roads will affect property. On l4th street ex-
tended lots are held at $l.50 per foot and 1000
feet distant at 20 cents. On It'll street near
Schuetzen Park rs cents to 81, and in Whit
ney Close, 800 feet away, Is cents. On parcel
81 he had added about 80 per cent because OF
the railroad yaluing it at 500 per acre. Par
cells 80 and 50. adjoining, he valued at $500.
BY Mr.. Coleman-Wstness produced men,
orandum OF figures made from time to time.
but could not tell which was made at the first
meeting with Messrs Saunders and Truesdell.
The figures we're made to prepare data to come
before the commission. He assumed that he
made figures and may have changed some al
the second meeting He could not point on,
which was made the first or second time bu;
showed some changes-$l50 from S125 in one
case, Shepherd from $500 to $3.50, Bradley
from 5000 to $3.50, $500 to $3.50, &c. He made
the changes after examining the ground. He
did not aggregate the fis ures, did the Others
thathe knew Of. Never aggregated the figures, but
presumed they aggregated less than million,
for he had heard from Mr.. Perry of some OF
the offers made by the commission. Messrs.
Truesdell and Saunders at the last meeting
knew some Of his valuations. He could not
tell within 81 ,OO0, 900 the aggregate Of the
valuations.
Mr.. Coleman, after witness said that he had
made his valuations on sales in the vicinity of
the park, asked if he learned Of thirteen other
sales Of the same character of land in the
Same vicinity would he change his opinion.
Witness answered that such would affect his
opinion.
After recess Mr.. Paul said that he had invited
Mr.. Sands and Mr.. Edison to his house when
the valuations were discussed, and the latter
attended one Of the meetings.
Witness was questioned as to who he had
called on to give testimony and he named sew
eral, and was asked if lie was not mixed in this
case.
Mr.. Perry objected and denied that there
had been anything wrong done and warmly de-
Tended the government.
Mr.. Coleman claimed that they would show
that Mr.. Paul was in the employment Of Mr..
Glover. He, perhaps. should not have used
the word hired.
Witness cross-examination was continued,
and he stated that he did not know that the az
gregates Of Messrs. Truesdeli, Saunders and
his own valuations were from 500, 900 down to
500, 204.
Mr.. Perry objected and the answers were
ruled out.
Mr.. Paul continued, saying that the fact that
asphalt pavements might be needed in the park
was not the basis of his interest in the park.
He did not know the aggregate Of his valua-
tions nor what had been paid by the govern
ment for that already taken.
Mr.. Coleman read from the report Of the
Commissioners Of the District, including the
report of Capt. Simonds. recommending an
appropriation of 81 0OO, 900 for z, 500 acres and
asked if MIR. Paul knew this.
Mr.. Perry objected, and Mr.. Coleman with
drew the question.