Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-09

The commission appointed to condemn the
square on the south side of Pennsylvania
avenue opposite THE STAR Office for the site
of the proposed city post Office building began
what may be called their field work this morn
ing. This is personal inspection of the prop
erty both inside and outside. The members Of
the commission, Messrs John T. Lehman, W.
S. Thompson and John A. Hamilton, met at the
corner of 1lth and C streets shortly after 10
o'clock. Beginning with the corner property
they made a thorough inspection of all the diff
ferent pieces fronting on C street. Mr.. Tag
gart, the assistant district attorney, who
represents the government in this purchase.
was with the commission for short time. The
owners of the several pieces of property, or at
least the tenants, gave the members Of the COM
mission what assistance was ueened. A pretty
thorough inspection was made. The outside Of
q building was noted and its condition, then the
interior was inspected and also the rear portion
OF the premises Mr.. John T. Lehman told q
STAR reporter that he expected the inspection
OF the property on the entire square would be
completed in three days.
TO CALL FOR REFORMATION.
After this part Of the work is finished and
the members Of the commission feel that they
have obtained all the information that is possi-
BILE from merely an examination Of the grolnd
they will invite the government and the prop
erty owners to give them any facts which may
be deemed of importance in reaching an esti-
mate of the value of the property. The COM
mission viii give public notification when
they are ready to be enlightened on the sub
ject Of the valuation of this square. The rep
resentations of the government will prob
ably give the commission the views of
the purchaser as to the market value, while any
fenresen n N ha art nf
the property owners that are supposed to be Of
value to the members of the commission in
reaching a conclusion will be duly presented
When the hearings are over then the commits
sion will devote themselves to the work of di-
gestlng the information which they have gained,
and they will embody the result in report,
which viii be duly submitted to the court for
approval.
THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE COURT.
The commission have been given general in
structions by the court as to their method Of
procedure in fixing the value of the property
and the elements which are to be considered.
Their conclusion is to be based upon the vGlua-
ton of the real estate and the improvements
and immovable fixtures of each piece of prop
erty. No allowance is to be made directly for
the business, but the commission are to con-
slider the value of the property for the pur-
pose for which it is best adapted, and in that
way allowance will be made indirectly for what
might be deemed the business good will of the
property.
THE FUTURE PROCEEDINGS.
The court may approve or disapprove of
either the whole Of the report or any particu-
lar portion of it. In the case of disapproval
the commission will make another report. The
property owners have also the right to file ex-
ceptions with the court to the valuations of
the commission. In case the exceptions are
overruied there lies an appeal to the Supreme
Court OF the District. This latter privilege,
however, will not prevent the government
from taking possession OF the land. The gov
ernment has that right as soon as the report OF
the commission is approved in its entirety by
the lower court
no DELAY ON ACCOUNT OF APPEALS.
When appeals are made to the Supreme Court
there will be no delay in the event that the
higher courts decide in favor of the property
owner. Then the government is obliged to
pay the increased award. The government
can, however, be in possession. Neither will
there be any cause for delay because of defec-
money is paid into the court, and when the
question of the ownership is determined the
money is paid by the court over to the rightful
owner.
IN THE COURSE OF MONTH.
1t is thought that the work Of the commits
sion will be completed in the course Of month
and that then the governmentw will be in posses
sion Of the land. Unless there is delay in
preparing the plans, and if o month is sufficient
time for the condemnation proceedings, there
is reason to believe that building operations
can be begun some time in April