Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-28
THE ROCK CREEK PARK.
Mr.. Coleman Suspends His Argument to Al
low Judge Bradley to Talk.

low Judge bra0iey 10 1aik.
After THE Stars report of The Rock Creei
Park condemnation proceedings closed yester-
day afternoon Mr.. Coleman continued his re-
view Of tho testimony given by the mining ex-
perts introduced on behalf of Messrs Trues-
dell and Shoemaker. emphasizing his quota
tons every now and then by the reading Of
authorities and the discussion of the testimony.
Referring to District Attorney Coles criticism
Of the appearance of Mr. Kirk, one of the ex-
pert witnesses placed upon the stand by the
owners, as being stability clad and poverty
stricken. Mr.. Coleman remarked that such a
criticism was mean and cowardly. unworthy OF
the utterance of an officer Of this government
The speaker said he regretted exceedingly the
absence Of tine District attorney, for il he were
present he would warm him. Outside this Dis
trict no public officer would dare make
such a reflection, for il he once did it he
would never hold another public office as
long as he lived. Speaking Of the prospects
shown to exist on the Jruesdell and Shoemaker
tracts, Mr. Coleman said that in any other city
but Washington such prospects would be taken
mp and developed. But to do such work Ie-
quired enterprise and energy, and. excepting
IN the cases OF the gentlemen interested in the
Rock Creek Park scheme. that was not found
here tie did not make these reflections in a
spirit OF i'll humor or in one OF mearness, for
the people of Washington were influenced by a
climate which sapped their vitality and caused
them TO feel, as he often did, as If they would
much rather lie abed than rise.
Without concluding his argument Mr.. Cole
man suspended a few minutes before o'clock.
when MIR. Justice Andrew G. Bradley appeared
before the commission and addressed it until
it's adjournment at 4:30 o'clock in reference to
parcel No. 70, owned by him.
JUDGE BRADLEY SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF.
Judge Bradley said he had strong indispo-
sition to detain the commission after tho
lengthy and able arguments which had been
made before it, but in view Of the constant in
situations scattered broadcast by the press and
people Of Washington respecting the purposes
and methods of the owners Of land in the pro-
posed park he thought it well that every owner
should appear and speak for himself. He
begged TO differ from the published statement
OF his friend, Mr.. Perry, that the park was
intended for the poor, and even ii it were
such consideration was not proper one for
the commission, for they were appointed TO
value the lands without reference to any
charitable aspect of the case. Since his boy
hood he had enjoyed Mr. Perrys green grass
and running water in the limits of the proposed
park, had thousands OF other Washing
tonians, and should this park scheme fail such
enjoyment would still be in the reach of all
the people of the District. 1t had become APP
parent from the course of the government in
this case that too much land had been taken;
that : 200 900 was not sufficient to pay for it,
and he thought the commission was as well
aware OF that fact by this time as any one else.
He had given S275 per acre for his land. but he
knew 1t was worth even then at least $500 per
acre. and he now valued it at 81 900 per acre.
most remarkable feature in this case Was this
out of the four or five hundred real estate
brokers in Washington the number introduced
IN the case by the government could be counted
ON the fingers Of one hand. Where were the
rest, and why had they not been produced?
Judge Bradley closed his remarks with a re-
cital of the story of Jacob and Esau, us Illus
tratiug the deception sought to be practiced
upon the commission by certain interests. add
ing that nc had the utmost confidence that the
finding of the commission would be one which
would not only be perfectly satisfactory to the
owners but which would also be one indica-
tive Of the fairness and impartiality of the
commission itself