Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-03

More Testimony - to the Value Of the Land
Submitted.
sEVEhAL REAL ESTATE OWNERS AND DEALERS
GIVE THEIR OPINIONS As TO THE WORTH OF
BONE OF THE PARCELS OF GROUND TAKEN By
THE PARK COMMISSIONERS

BONE OF THE PARCELS OF GROUND TAKEN 81
THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
Inc commission-Messrs. James l. Norris
george j. Seufferle and n. W. Burchel-to ap-
praise the Rock Creek Park grounds resumed
It's sessions In the Circuit Court room this
morning.
Mr. Ferry said that in view Of the fact that
unless summoned now it may be difficult to Sc
cure the attendance Of real estate experts and
suggested that they be summoned now.
MI. Wilson objected, claiming that this was
novel proposition and not within their. power.
Mr. Perry said that he proposed that the com.
mission should do just what was proposed, and
on this point he read the instructions
MI. Lambert, VIM. Stone Albert and others
followed for the owners.
Inc commission declined to act on the sug-
gestion.
NOT REAL ESTATE EXPERT.
Mr.. Reginald Fendall was called by Mr.
Albert in behalf Of T. Blagden. and testified tina,
ne was not real estate expert but had his
opinion as to the value Of the Blagden land.
ne had been connected with the Ingleside. OF
wnicn safe was made in December. 1890, after
SIX months negotiation. 1t became his duty to
ascertain values Of property in that section
ne regarded the twenty-four acres as worth
Sfooo to 5000 per acre. Ingleside was pu,
up Tor sale in 1888 or 1889, and the highest bid
Sus Sloo, SUI FOR the seventy acres and it was
bid III by the family
On REORGANIZATION by Mr.. Perry Mr..
Kendall said the house was worth $4,000 to
SIO,ooo ana was surrounded by fine old trees
anu lawn A large portion of Mr.. Blagden' &
was desirable for villa sites, and for that pur-
pose would be worth 10 to Is cents per foot If
subdlvided into quarter-acre sites.
by Mr.. Wilson-The necotia tons for the "a 10
OF lnsIeside to Chaplin Brown were begun in
Juhe OF last year and consummatedin December.
lnere were no contracts, but an offer was made.
price paid.
Mr.. BENZ. p. Davis was called as to the 24O-
acre tract OF Mr. Shoemaker and testified he
went over the tract on Saturday on horseback
and foot and in his judgment the most advan-
tageous use to which it could be put was to
subdivide it for building sites. He regarded
that east of the creek worth $1,000 per acre
and the west side at 81 600 per acre. In this
he did not consider the value of the creek for
water power.
On cross-examination witness said he had
been IN Rosemont. There were some villas in
Woodley Park.
DIR. KLISGLE RECALLED
DIR. ]. P. klingle was recalled and testified
the price he received for that within the Zoo
was not its true value, but below it, and he had
some other considerations on making the SALE
The California syndicate had bought along
connecticut avenue extended. His property
had been III the market since 1886. and when
the question came up it formed an obstacle to
the sale; and 1t had affected sales and the i'm
provements. There were no buildings at Oak
view, Cleveland Heights. Petworth or Whitney
Close. The improvements were in Kalorama,
Washington Heights. There was no property
which compares with Rock Creek. For his own
use he would not exchange one acre for two
acres In any other tract.
After recess Mr.. klinglc valued the Blagden
property at So, 00o
On cross-examination witness said he had
sold to the zoo for S1.500 per acre. In Septem-
Der last for tract of sixty acres he considered
proposition for 81, $50, but it was not the
value. In July, 1890. he offered it at $4,000,
but the park project defeated it.
Lambert said he would withdraw what had
been testified to as to the amount paid Mr..
klingle for the Zoo land.
An exception was noted to the refusal to
receive Mr.. Fendalrs testimony as to the price
paid for Ingleside.
JOHN sAULs TESTIMONY.
John Saul testified that the valley of Rock
creek was the most verdant spot of vegetation
he had known in the county. Every known
species of wood and plant of the south are
there.
among them, purple beeches and clusters.
and we're they his he would not take $3.50
apiece.
On cross-examinaticn he said the purple
beeches were not on the tract
Hedirect-The value of the vegetation within
the park was more than the land. and it could
not be got together for Sl,OOO,OOO. Millions
had been expended on Central Park, which was
not circumstance to what nature has here
supplied to order.
Mr. Lansdale of the parking commission
corroborated what Mr.. Saul said, but placed
higher value on some of the trees. There were
sixty to seventy species of trees
W. u. Duval! testified as to water power. that
he had examined the creek through Mr. Shoe
makers tracts and taken Gen. Meig's calcutta
ton there was 2Ss horse power on the tracts
and 80 per cent of it could be utilized. There
were Is, 600 600 gallons flow per day and 3,OOO.-
QUO per day could be elevated to the highest
point.