Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-14
THE RIVER FRONT PROPERTY.
District Omcials Urge That the United STATES
Take Possession.

District Omctais Urge That the United Sta.es
Take Possession.
The Commissioners have made response to
the resolution Of the Senate of March 81, 1892,
directing them ito inquire into and report to
the Senate as soon as may be, in detail. what
portions Of the Potomac river front lying be-
tween Water street and the said river and ex-
tending from 18th street northwest to the ar
senal grounds are occupied under the authority
Of the United States, by whom kased, upon
what terms and under what authority of law;
and also what portions thereof, if any, are
otherwise held and occupied, and to what ex-
tent, and by whom, and by what authority, il
any, and what rentals are being derived from
the exercise Of wharfng rights and privileges
thereon. And further, to report what legisla-
ton. if any, is in the Judgment Of the said Com
missioners necessary to enforce and maintain
the rights Of the United States over the same"
They inclose a copy of the report OF the at
torney, which furnishes information as to the
occupancy Of the river front, the authority
under which such occupancy is claimed and the
necessary to enforce and maintain the rights Of
the United States over the property, the Com
missioners recommend. as suggested by the at
torney, that Congress. by resolution or other
wise, direct some officer to take possession of
this property or TO allow those in possession
thereof or others to occupy it only upon recog-
MIXING the authority Of the government and en-
tering into an agreement to pay for the use Of
said property.
The attorney for the District after giving the
names Of the occupants Of the property in ques-
ton and under what authority they occupy the
same says:
From the report Of the harbor master it APP
pears that only two of the persons named as
occupying the said property have recognized
the ownership OF this property as being in the
United States, and holding possession under
proper lease Cthe Mount Vernon and Marshall
Brothers). The balance hold this property as
usurpers, and are deriving am informed,
large profits by either occupying the same
themselves or subleasing to other parties. The
title to all this property is in the United States
government. This question Of title was finally
and conclusively settled as belonging to the
United States by the decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States. made in the case of
the Potomac Steamboat Company and others,
reported in the l09 United States reports on
page 672. In some instances I am informed the
parties in possession have instituted suits,
but in reality this simply means litigation
for the purpose of delay only, In surrendering
possession to the United States of the prop
erty and to extend and prolong a possession
which affords large rental for the use of the
same to these parties. 1t is the custom of the
United States government to promptly take
possession of it's property, when held under
like circumstances, both in the territories and
IN the states, and can see no reason, mas
much as the question Of the title has been
finally settled by the highest court in
the United States, why the government should
make an exception as to the property in ques-
ton. And suggest that the Commissioners,
in making their report to Congress, earnestly
recommend that Congress, by resolution or
otherwise, direct the commissioner OF public
buildings and grounds, or some other compe-
tent officer or department OF the government,
to take immediate possession of this property,
remain in possession thereof that they do SO by
recognizing the authority of the government
and entering into an agreement to pay for the
use thereof"