Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-16
ROCK CREEK PARK VALUES.

Mr.. Paul Further Examined ~ to His APP
praisement of the Property.
Yesterday afternoon the session Of the Rock
Creek Park appraising commission con-
| tinued at the court house after The Stars re-
| port closed. Mr.. Joseph Paul was cross-ex-
| amined By Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Paul said that he
examined the Frank Shoemaker six-acre tract
| IN one of his solitary pilgrimages. . They might
as well, he said. compare the Capitol with a
| cottage al land west of the park with the park
| lands. He did not know of any six acres west
Of the park that could be had for the amount
he had valued the tract. On being questioned
ns to feasibility of building there Mr.. Paul said
that there was plenty of water to drink and
sand to be used in building and they could get
good sewerage.
Mr.. Wilson asked what effect the cutting off
the front OF the tract had, and Mr.. Paul said
that with such real estate men as Messrs. Beall,
Chaplin Brown and Shoemaker it was not
supposable case, for they would ge: road
there. Mr.. Wilson questioned Mr.. Paul as to
building sites on the Shoemaker (39) tract east
Of the creek, and he answered that there were
no sites there on which man would want TO
buiid house. Is to Is per cent grade
too much. The Warder tract had some
places where an erratic and artistic person
might build Some of the Shoemaker tract
was better than other portions, which he had
ulNlueu anu eStliuaLeU SO as TO average about
Si00 per acre.
Mr.. Wilson asked if county property had not
appreciated in price in the past few years.
Mr.. Paul answered that that not the case
In the Rock creek country. 1t was u dead
country, he said, with railroads to bring it
up as had been the case with lexington,
Brightwood and Tenleytown. He did not know
the park section had been out of the market for
some years. and his opinion was that it had been
IN the market. There had been, however, but
little sale for such property and but little adj
vance. The railroad project on Connecticut
avenue was coincident with the California syn
dictate and they attempted to keep it a secret,
but 1t got out. In making his valuations he ex-
Guided no prices, but i'll ono or two instances
he disrogarded prices paid in or near the park.
Mr.. Paul said that he had taken much inter-
est In the park and in 1886 drafted bill for the
| purpose, which had been favorably reported
but not passed. The bill provided for an ex-
| tension of streets well the park. He did
all he could for the promotion of the park pro
| lect, for he looked on it as measure for the
| benefit of the District. The board OF trade
then urged it, Mr.. Glover being the chairman
OF the committee having active charge Of the
bill.
Mr.. Wilson-And you selected the Rock creek
MIR: Paul-Yes, sir; for nature had already
htted 1T up for park purposes.
Mr. Wilson-And it was good for nothing
else?
No. l would not say that" answered Mr..
Paul, but if it had not been taken for the
park It would have been converted into a
sewer" He would not say it was good for
nothing, for, he said. real estate men would
| buy anything. Ii the project failed he would
| consider 1t calamity, and he could not con-
| eelve OF greater calamity for the people Of
| the District than Its failure. Its establishment
might affect values Immediately adjoining, but
it would not add dollar to his property.
| MIR. Perry to Mr.. Wilson, do not want to
interrupt you, judge, but there is fly ON you.
| MIR. Mckinney Gas Mr.. Lambert brushed the
| intruder from Mir. Wilson's brow)-It IL the
| only one you have found on him.
| TopAY's SESSION.
On reassembling this morning Mr.. Paul WAS
further cross-examined by Mr.. Atchison for the
Zepp property and Mr.. Randall Hagner for the
| Fenwick tract.
When Mr.. Paul said that Mr.. Saunders was
| with him when he went to the property Mr..
| Hagner said he did not think that he had been
treated fairly, because for personal reasons he
had asked that Mr. Saunders should have moth
ing to do with property represented by him.
| Mr. Paul was further cross-examned by Mr..
| Coleman for Mrs. TrUesdell as to his past life
| and occupation, his connection with A. l.. Bar
Der d Co. and the real estate operations with
| which he had to DO.
| Mr.. Paul said that the lower the price paid
the lower would be the tax, and as the District
paid half the expenses they were all interested.
He would not say that low prices should be
PAID for the property. but the prices should be
lus'. MI. faul DAD not remember that Messrs.
| George 1ruesdell and l.. II. Saunders and him
self talked of the values before they went on
Mrs Iruesdells land. but they did afterward,
! for they met at each others houses and con-
suited on the properties, differing in opinion
on some and agreeing on others.