The evening times., 1896-08-19

49,
The plans OF the Conmissi oners for the
extension of streets, under the highway
act, in the first section, as laid out, was
severely criticized this morning by Messrs
X. W. Hunter and Ciermont Robinson, who
are Interested n certain subdivisions f1r-
the Catholic University grounds and ne.tr
Fort Totten.
The objection to the plan was In tile
plating OF the curved streets, when, under
the law, as was claimed, there should have
been straight streets provided, as conform
Ing TO the city streets.
The Fort drive as laid out, was par
ticnlarly objected to, as it Is said to .;ut
through the subdivisions lii a damasLag
way.
Mr.. Robinson, who was the frs, speaker,
claimed that his subdivision was approved
by the Commissioners under the act of Au-
gust 27. 1883, and was ordered to be re-
ctrded by the board.
WHAT HE CLAIMED.
This act, Mr.. Robinson said. made the sub
division as much a part of the city plan
rs is any portion Of the city itself. Under
it the streets were declared to be public
ways. and the property was laid off in pur-
suance Of that law and the Endorsement
OF the Commissioners.
Mr.. Robinson Insists that the Commission
els had no Inore right under that law or
any other to change the course of the
streets through that subdivision than they
had 10 alter the streets inside the city
l.
20 make Changes whore the streets did not
conform, but in this case ,on the contrary, tho
action of the board itself caused the plan. Of
the city and that of the subdivision to clash.
Where do you get the powSr to do such
thing: inquired Mr. Robinson. THE
law requires OF you two duties. One Of
these is to provide streets for connecting
subdivisions; the other is thatthtee streets
shall he made 10 conform to The city pldn.'
THE CITY PLAT.
He followed this up by pointing out that
In every instance but che his streets con-
ueci e'iwith Uthe r suhdi visions, and that the 8
eopfornetltuttec cit y plat, and then charged
the Commissioners with preparing Plan
that was departure FROM the lines laid
down in the city.
Tie Commissioners admitted that under
the law OF 1888 they Gould not Interfere
with a subdivision already recorded under
that law. but claimed they hal the right
under the amended IN to make changes
which in their Judgment were desirable
and practicable.
Mr.. Robinson insisted, however, that the
law prohibited new streets; that While
the Commissioners had all the rights which
they claimed under the law when they
came 10 uurecorded subdivisions. the sec-
uon quoted left no discretion as to the
subdivisions already recorded. aud that
the alterations made in his charged the
whole character OF his grounds.
lie was asked what per cent of bis
grounds was taken up in the proposed
changes, and whether or not the principal
amount was not consumed in widening the
streets.
HIS LAND INJURED.
HeanSweredt that he ha d made no calcula
ton as to the percentage, but that the
projected thorougbfares differed in their
course SO widely from the original tines that
the better part of his land was seriously
injured.
But you will be compensated remarked
Commissioner Powell.
Il am afraid,' said Mr.. Robinson, that
the compensation Will come through Con-
grcss in the shape of assessed bcnefits.''
NO, it has never been the intention, ROT
has it been suggested as the intent. IN. to
take ground for public spaces without COM
pensation. The law provides for IT,
Mr.. Robinson asked IL the Commissioners
had not made n sl,pppstion In Cnnoroxs
OF change in the law, and Ma jor Po well
said they had not in this particular, nor
do they intend to do SO.
To this Mr.. Robinson replied that no one
can roretell what Congress will do, and he
was not disposed to risk it.
The conference lasted until 1 O'Clock
At its close the gentlemen requested. in
case the board finds it impossible to agree
with their conclusions, that opportunity be
given for Solicitor General Holmes Conrad
to be heard, he being interested In the
matter.