St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-04
AS the Legislative Commits
sion Propose to Close TAX
ing Evidence To-Day.
Ladies Of Christian Chapel
Delight a Cultured Audi
ence at the Harris.
The Council Committee on
Streets Pass Upon Matters
Of Public Interest.

The commissioners appointed to in
vestigate the purchase of the West side
levee have not completed taking evil
dence, but propose to do so to-day. The
commission yesterday again met in the
capitol. The evidence brought forward
by the petitioners was similar to the
previous day-Theodore Parker, Mr..
Dufrene, Mr.. Fenton and Frederick
Smith giving an account of how they
conveyed property to the city on the
understanding that a levee was to be
built. Mr.. Parker admitted, in cross
examination, that he was not dissatisfied
When his property was acq red by the
city, and also stated that he had bought
the property after the condemnation
proceedings were commenced.
City Engineer Rundlett, called on be-
half OF the city, stated that at the time
the property was acquired he was en-
gineer of the water board. He knew
the history of the levee proceedings.
which was subject of public discussion
Ten years ago. The idea was to build a
levee and also to provide facilities for
railroads and factories being erected.
Mr.. Rundlett produced the plans Of the
icvee and showed the commissioners
that the levee had been graded from the
bluff TO Starkey street at cost of
S2l .00G. 1t was partly graded to Water
street. ana beyond that the city was en-
gagged in cOndemning certain property
so that the work could be continued
right to the south city limits. The
whole length was 31,500 feet, and the
grade would be two feet above highest
wafer mark. No plans or estimates had
ever been drawn to make the levee 200
feet wide. The cost would be enormous.
The leases granted to manufacturing
concerns were above Robert street.
where no steamboat landing could be
made.
BY the Commissioners-Has the city in
good faith taken steps to carry out its under
standing with the compliments?
Mr. Rnudlett-I think it has.
Has the city granted any privileges to cit-
Zcns or corporations that will i'll any way
lessen the usefulness of the leyee or street, or
any other right of the petitioners
They have left room i'll every case for
street sixty feet wide, and where leases have
been granted they will not affect the original
plan for a levee.''
Contracts Postponed.
Mr.. Rundlett. continuing. said that as
soon as condemnation proceedings were
finished the work would be pushed for
ward but owing to the legislature hav-
for the work until 1898, the contracts
had been postponed.
Matthias Koch, who was member of
the board of public works when the
lands were acquired, recited the whole
proceedings, showing that the intention
was not only to build Ievee but also to
provide facilities for railroads and
manufacturing concerns. He knew the
values of the lands, and considered that
some of the lots were worthless, while
the rest were of small value. No one
in those days cared to buy property
on The levee, for most of
it was under water. In making
awards, the board of public works had
given the full value or the lots. and IN
some instances had even given more
than the value, as the owners were
very poor. The board had not cut down
the awards because they had been linn
tied liz amounts. Such state of affairs
had never existed while he was on the
board.
The last witness to go on the stand
was Mr.. Quinby, member of the present
board OF public works, and also mem
Der when the lands were condemned.
He cOrrohorated Mr.. Koch in each point,
and said that he never heard any com
plants when the awards were made.
On the contrary, the people were most
anxious to sell their property, with few
exceptions. He had never heard that
the lands were to be abandoned by the
city.
Mr. Murray requested the commission
erS TO send letters to William Dawson
ST. and Ansel Oppenheim to give eX-
pert testimony.
The hearing was adjourned until this
morning at 10, Archbishop ireland
stating that to-day the case must close.