Evening star., 1896-08-13
THE CHOSEN SITE
District Commissioners Action Re-
garding the Western High School.
A LETTER THAT MISLED OWNERS
The Earle Property, and Not the
Rittenhouse, Favored.
p r OF ESTS CTED

In the selection OF site for the new
Western High School building the Commas
sioners of the District of Columbia are
experiencing difficulties. There were two
bitches in soliciting bids. but finally these
troubles were settled and all that remained
was to decide upon a suitable piece of
ground from the number offered. The
Commissioners met in board SESSION late
yesterday afternoon, and, after long
session. addressed the following coImuni-
cation to Messrs. S. w. R!ttenhouse and
Randall Hagner trustees of the R:tten-
house estate, on q street between 18th
and Mills streets.
The Commissioners will be glad to con-
slider any other proposition which you may
see fit to submit with regard to the site for
the Western High School, which VIII enable
them to open Q street through said prop
Crty, and enable them to secure the ground
north Of . street so extended, including the
Old mansion, at reasonable figure. 1t will
be necessary to have definite reply by to-
morrow.
What Was Inferred.
1t was inferred by some that this letter
ind Gated that the Commissioners had de-
cided to purchase the Rittenhouse estate
tUt definite information to the contrary
was given out this afternoon. The board
had just concluded d hearing with the
general manager Of the lexington railway
when Col. Blunt, one of the bidders 10
furnish the site, requested an audience.
Gentlen.en," he began. Il see by the
morning papers that you have not YET
reached a conclusion regarding the site for
the Western High School. / therefore de-
sire to URGE
Pardon me-" quietly interrupted Com
missioner Ross, but we decided this morn
ing to Lurchase the Earle property, if the
title be good"
Col. Blunt had nothing more to say, and
bowed himself out of the room.
The deal has not yet been closed on pa
per. bu: at the District building the Earle
site was regarded this afternoon the one
that would be purchased. The property
was offered by John w. Piling and Thomas
+. Wassaman for George Earle, and con-
SIStS of the entire square bounded by 3oth
street on the east, :Stjth street on the west,
L street on the north and L street. or the
New Cut road, on the south. 1lG,6N square
feet or nearly three acres, are included IN
the tract. 1t fronts 3oo feet on i1th street
and :,SSS feet on r street. The property is
known as The Cedars,'' and on it is
homestead, which Is still occupied as a resi-
denca by Mr.. Earle. The price asked in the
lid was $s5.oc.
What the commissioners Say.
why was the Earle site selected in pref
erence TO the others?" the Commissioners
were asked by a Star reporter.
I'VE viewed all the property offered,
was the reply. and. after taking every
thing into consideration, decided the Earle
site to be the most eligible. Any state
ments We might make at TINS time concern
ing the details. of the selection might de-
feat hinder the sale, which has not yet
been coEsummateL.
will you give the amount that is to be
paid for the property?
I'VE would rather not make that public
Until the deal is closed" said the Commits
Sioner.
Protests Promised.
1t is expected that there will be a vigor-
Gus protest made against the Commission
ers' choice of the Earle site. When the Of
fer of this site was made, some citizens of
Georgetown protested against locating the
High School there.
1t was understood this afternoon that
delegation of citizens from West Washing
ton intended to storm the fort OF the Conl-
missioners with protest. big and bulky
protest is made on the grounds that
the Earle site is too far out and not easy
of access. the nearest street car line being
the Tenleytown road. several squares dts-
tant. But greatest stress is laid on the
fact that situated just across tie street
from the selected site Of the new High
School building Is the House of the Good
Shepherd, reformd tory for wayWard and
penitent girls. Tine institution Is all right,
say these citizens of West Washington.
but all the same they are strongly adverse
to sending their young daughters and sons
to school opposite it. furthermore, 1t is
objected that a cemetery is located just
one block distant.
When the representatives of the Ritten-
house property were informed today that
the Commissioners had chosen the Earle
site they expressed much Indignation. be-
cause they thought they had been badly
treated. They said they had every reason
to suppose that the Commissioners had
OH hot Sif aiN-fn ha
letter referring to the opening of Q street.
had gone to the trouble of considering and
making a new proposition that compiled
with the Commissioners wishes.