Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-16

OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE PURCHASE OF
LAND.
The House committee on appropriations will
hold session of1he full committee next Friday
morning at 1890 o'clock TO give a preliminary
hearing to persons interested in the proposed
investigation of the proceedings in the pur-
chase of land for the Rock Creek Park.
The hearing will be preliminary to the extent
that the committee will afterward determine
whether this committee shall consider the fol-
lowing resolution or whether it shall be re-
ferred to some other committee having appro-
pirate jurisdiction.
THE RESOLUTION.
The resolution was introduced January - by
Mr.. Dockery, by request. and is as follows:
o1Whereas Congress did on the 9th day Of
September, 1880, pass an act entitled ''An act
authorizing the esta blishment of public park
in the District of Columbia and
Whereas by the terms Of said act 1t was,
among other things. provided that the cost OF
said park, including all expenses incident to
the location and establishing OF the same,
should not exceed the sum Of 81, 200, 600; and
Whereas commissioners have been appointed
to locate said park and make purchase OF the
real estate to be embraced therein. and said
commissioners have purchased and paid Tor
large track of said land; and
Whereas appraisers have been appointed to
appraise the value of lands for said park not
purchased by said commissioners; and
Whereas the amount paid by said commits
sioners and the aggregate amount of the awards
determined to be paid by the said appraisers
taken together are largely III excess OF the sum
OF - 200, 600 appropriated for said park; and
Whereas the said commissioners and APP
praisers have been engaged for nearly one year
last past in making condemnation of said land
as provided by said act. at great cost and ex-
pense to the United States; therefore be it
Resolved, That the committee OH appropria-
lions be and they are hereby directed to ascer-
tain and report to this House,:
First The amount of money already paid
out and expended by said commission and by
the United States under said act in proceed
ings thus far had in locating and establishing
said park.
Second. The amount Of money, as near as
may be- which it will be necessary to expend
to complete the purchase Of the land required
by said act to be taken for said park.
Third. The amount Of money, as near as may
be, which will be required to make requisite
and necessary improvements to complete said
park.
Fourth. Whether or not it is desirable to in
cluGe in said park less amount of land than
the number of acres selected and designated by
said commissioners viz, $50 acres of land.
Fifth. The amount of money already paid out
and expended by said commission and by the
United States in locating SAID park
Sixth. Such other facts connected with the
creation. location and establishment of said
park as may in the opinion OF said committee
be beneficial and inn ortant to be asccrtained
and reported to the House.
MR.. TRUEsDELLs INQUIRY.
The resolution was prepared by Mr.. J. A.
Truesdell, and when the subcommittee on APP
preparations took it under consideration some
time ago. as reported in The STAR, Mr. Trues-
dali hnY fhar bod tha,,
they thought they should consider the resolu-
ton in the face Of the fact that three of them
had voted for the passage Of the Rock Creek
Park bill The subcommittee construed this
remark as being an impeachment Of themselves
and they thereupon referred Mr.. Truesdell to
the full committee.
When the full committee met this morning
motion was made by MIR. Breckenridge of the
subcommittee to refer the resolution to the
House District committee. MIR. Truesdell, who
this, holding the matter to be properly under
the jurisdiction of the appropriation commit
tee.
THE BETTERMENT FUND.
The question Was raised in committee
whether the park commission has the authority
to use the betterment fund, raised by assess
ment upon adjoining property, in addition to
the 81. 2OO,0 600 provided by law, for completing
the purchase Of the park.
Mr.. Truesdell said he had recently been in
formed by a member of the commission that
they were now contemplating just such action
and would probably not call upon Congress for
any more money.
In view of these facts and the statement of
Mr.. Truesden that Justice Bradley of the Dis
trict of Columbia Supreme Court and Judge
Wilson desire to be heard in this matter the
committee temporarily ignored the motion to
refer and agreed to a motion by Representa-
tive Sayres. to give preliminary hearing to
all parties in interest at the time mentioned
above, the result Of that hearing to determine
further action.