Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-25
Recording the Second Section Of tho
Street Extension Map.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
AS tax payer and citizen of the District
CT Columbia. / regret very much to learn
from the newspapers that the Commission
ers of the District Of Columbia are consid-
ering. and propose to record the map of
street extension involving what they call
the second section or that part Of the
District east CT North Capitol street.
The act Of Congress, known as the high
way act is. 1t has been declared to be,
unconstitutional and void.
l am not the owner of one foot of ter
ritory within the limit of the proposed new
map of the second section; l am in, and
only wish 1 was out of the first section.
Why Will our Commissioners persistently
continue to cloud the titles to all this prop
erty? What can possibly be gained there
by. unless the scheme could be executed
Why prevent tie making of such improve
ments as would no doubt be made by pri-
vate enterprise? Why ward OF and pre-
vent the natural and rapid growth Of our
Immediate suburbs?
Pray. let us have peace. If these streets
cannot be extended i'll the only legitimate
way possible, i.e., by dealing fairly with
the people, let US have the whole scheme
declared off, and let development and i'm
provement go On. These are not times for
delaying and preventing changes and inn
provements that will no doubt be made,
but is he time for encouraging and fos-
tering them.
Lei no more maps be recorded until Con-
gross repeats the plainly illegal and unjust
features CT this act, and more particularly
until an appropriation is made 10 pay the
necessary expense of this gigantic under
taking.
I am rot opposing some reasonable and
practical system of street extension, in
that to have attempted 1t under this act,
and now to continue it, Is not only the
height of folly. but it is senseless and
vicious undertaking.
1t is, 1 think, eminently better not to
have system and to permit each owner
of lands to enjoy rights and privileges,
which every American is supposed to have,
with reference to his real estate. i:e, the
power to deal with it as his individual in
stincts may dictate. and that he may be
enabled to make the most out of it., ac-
cording to his own ideas Of business in
meeting the demands that may exist for
the same in the market.
1t certainly is not just. It has been de-
cided to be illegal. 1t cannot be in con-
formity with American ideas to deprive the
owner of land in this District Of these in
a!ienabls property rights. without being
able to tender to him just compensation.
The disadvantages and serious objections
to this act OR any attempt to execute its
provisions are not only apparent from the
standpoint of the property owner, but the
entire District, and the community at large
are suffering from the effects thereof.
Not only is the land within the streets
and avenues affected, but other property,
ny reason OF It's having been made the
subject matter Of the assessment of I'M
aginary. and speculative benefits. SO that
the business Of the entire community with
respect to real estate is paralyzed This is
indeed deplorahle situation. and some
relief ought to be afforded at once.
Inasmuch as I have protested against
the filing of another map, I may be per-
United to urge an objection not heretofore
made, and which seems to me to go very
far in opposition thereto
After the map has been filed, claim that
irreparable damage has been done. and If
illegal and void, that action. even of the
Supreme Court Of the United States will
not remove the cloud that has been placed
upon these lands, because a prudent bus-
ness man will not in the future purchase
property which has been thus clouded,
while other holdings can be purchased
which are rot thus affected. I claim that
people purposing to purchase in future viii
fear that although this proceeding has
been declared void, it may yet be taken
up, executed or again attempted.
Again let ms urge that the whole
scheme be abandoned until we can have
an act simple. just and legal: an act
which will afford protection alike for the
land owner and the community.
LOUIS p. SHOEMAKER.