Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-12
REAL ESTATE VALUES
Columbia Heights Property is Pass
isg y Review
LAND OWNERS SHAVE THEIR DAY
Testimony Sf Experts as to the
Pxopsr Prices.
Feet oF THE LAW


In the street extension proceedings before
Judge Cox in the District Court the prop
erty owners had their inning today, Witness
es testifying en- their behalf before the seven
appraisers as to the respective values of the
eighty-three parcels in the subdivision, that
of Denison and Leighton's subdivision of
Mt Pleasant. The case, 419, one of the for
ty-seven subdivisions embraced within sec
ton l of the approved plan, will, 1t Is
thought hardly be concluded for. several
days.
Mr.. TOwnsend's Testimony.
AS the first witness on behalf OF the land
owners, Mr. Nathaniel Wilson called Mr. E.
B. Townsend, who stated that he lives at
10th and Park streets, Mt. Pleasant. and has
been engaged as a real estate broker here
since 1882 or 1888. He is very familiar with
the subdivision, and described it as one Of
the finest in every way in the District, 81 per
cert of its area being on grade Its drain
age is nearly perfect for sewerage purposes,
he thought; it is near the Zoo and ROCK
Creek parks. and Kenesaw avenue, running
through it, will be the great entrance to
those parks. The proposed extension OF
streets has been a wet blanket on property
in the subdivision, said the witness, and
because of the uncertainty attending the
future of lands therein. Another disadvan-
tage. mentioned Mr.. Townsend, which own
ers therein have suffered was the refusal OF
the District authorities to improve the sec
ton until the extension or the highways
be settled.
Mr.. Wilson asked the witness to state
what, in his opinion, is the fair and reason
able value Of lots in the subdivision now.
without regard to their prospective value,
first asking him as to lot a. Columbia road
valued at $3.50 Lots 14s, 149. 40 and Isl.
adjoining. he placed at 12O. and 152 at 81 80.
Lot o. 18th street and Columbia road. he
put at $l.25; SO at 81, and 81. 50, 50. go and
Columbia road, 81 to sl.15; 123. 81; 124 and
125. $3.50; 126, little more. and 12I, 81 10.
Lot 121. on kenesaw avenue he valued at
sl.2G; I'D, $3.50; 1913, 81 40. and 124, 125 and
126. 90 cents to 81. Lot 1O2, $3.50; 103 and
1O4, $1.15 to $40; 105 $1.10: 100. 81 to $1.03:
1Oi and 100. % cents to 81, and 10. 81 to
$1.O5. Lot 60 he valued at sl.15, and GS,
60. 10 and Il. 81. Lots 1873. 139 and 140, Grant
and 10th streets. 81; 14l, s115; 131, 132 and
LIB, 90 cents. and 1874, SIPS. Lot 112. 80
cents: 49, % cents to 81, and ia, 115 and
ZIG. 81. Lot 50. 80 cents; y, $1.25; 40 and
46, 81; Al. 4S and 40. 20 cents; so, SIS to 80
cents; 81, 80 cents, and So Sl.15. and SO, sl.25.
Could See No benefits.
Mr.. Townsend said he could see today no
benefits arising from the prospective extern
sion of the streets through the subdivis-
len. Nor could be tell what the future
benefits might be. not having the ability
to penetrate the future. I'VE have had
map showing the proposed extension for
twelve years. that is all we have today.
and the result as been very disastrous"
explained the witness. Il would not risk
my reputation by attempting to state
future benefits, and it Is. think, utterly
impossible to express future benefits, If
any there be, in dollars and cents"
"B IT, inquired Foreman Louis D. Wine
of the jury, suppose the streets will be
opened, say, within a year, would you say
lot 126. on Kenesaw avenue, for instance,
would or would not be benefited"
WELL" replied the witness. without
| wishing to commit myself. / would say
the lot would be benefited somewhat"
In this connection Judge Cox called at
| tention to the provision of the street ex-
| tension act which provides that the scheme
| shall fail and the lands condemned shall
revert to the respective owners If Con-
gress, being in session for six months after
| the award is made. shall fail to make the
appropriation necessary to pay for the
lands. That fact he thought, should be
borne in mind by both the jury and wit
neSseS.
Mr.. Townsend admitted that Columbia
Heights enjoys some advantages over the
| Denison and Leighton subdivisions, but
| the difference between the two subdivis-
| ions is very slight. he thought. The sub
| division In question, he believed, has the
| pletely on grade, and waste in it is there
| fore much smaller.
The Wisdom of Congress.
/ Mr.. Townsend being asked by Mr.. Dom
| aid Mcpherson If he did not consider the
proposed widening of Kenesaw avenue I'M
necessary, Mr.. S. T. Thomas object ted. Il
| think we are justified in assuming that
Congress possesses wisdom enough for all
purposes" he explained
hot tbay lola ion,
Brother Thomas?" inquired Mr.. Wilson.
Hardly so, replied Mr.. Thomas Con
gress may be unwise in some things, but
| it is all right in this case"
To Mr. Thomas MIR. Townsend said he is
acquainted with the subdivision of Wash
| ington Heights, and knows the range of
| prices in it, prices there being somewhat
| higher. There might be some lots selling
| Leighton's subdivision, but he did not be-
| lieve that is the rule. The railroad facili-
| ties in Washington Heights are excellent
| but while no railroad passes through Deni-
| son and Leightons subdivision, it adjoins
| the 14th street line, on which cars are run
| with greater frequency. Assuming than
| the average price for inside lots in Wash
| rgton Heights is Sl.25 foot, and that the
| price for the same character of lots in
| Denson and Leightons subdivision is so
cents a foot. he thought purchases in the
| latter subdivision would be the better in
vestment.
you represent several parcels of land in
| Denison and Leighton's subdivision, do you
not?' inquired Mr.. Thomas.
Il do" replied Mr.. Townsend.
"And you want to get the best prices pos
site for your clients?'
Il do, and 1 would not be worthy to
serve them if did not"
THAT is all, believe. Mr.. Townsend"
remarked the Districts attorney.
To Mr. Wilson Mr.. Townsend stated that
there is always a great demand for houses
in Denison and Leighton's subdivision, there
seldom being vacant house in it.
Il suppose" remarked Mr.. Thomas sar
castically, that people are deserving other
sections to get into it."
yes SIR" replied the witness. That's it,
and thank you for the suggestion
other Proceedings of Interest.
The testimony of MIR. Townsend conclud-
ed, the usual midday recess was taken, and
upon the resumption of the hearing this af-
ternoon Mr.. Chaplin Brown stated that case
4J3, that of the subdivision of Ingleside is
ready, and he, asked the court to sign an Or
der directing the marshal 10 summon jury
in that case,f to appear Wednesday next.
Tho rraSapt ca 90 would surely he concluded