Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-20

could be better and more cheaply be had
with 1t by means of ferries. Mr.. Cockren
thought, however, that IL a bridge should
be constructed with a pier resting on Ana
lostan Island, which is proposed in the
case of the Memorial bridge. access could
then be had TO the island by vehicles.
Mr.. Gallinger said he had recently Wis
tied the island with view of determining
whether IT would be desirable place for
the location of the contemplated hospital
for contagious Diseases and mis- judgment
was that in its present condition ii was
not suitable site for such purpose. But
when the government has reclaimed the
land, as 1t must some day do, the island
would be an ideal place for all the public
institutions of the District, not only the
contagious diseases hospital, but the work
houses and penal institutions of all kinds.
He quoted from comments by DIR. Busey
and DR.. w. w. Johnston in favor Of such
proposition, and he called special atten-
tfcn TO a recent utterauce of Gov. Shop
herd, who unhesitatingly approved the pro-
5ect OF buying the island.
Price of the Property.
AS to the price he explained that the
island was today mortgagcd to the extent
of about $4,000. Some people estimated 1t
TO be worth $1500O0 and the Commission
ers had given their opinion that $l12,J
was a reasonable price for the island.
Mr. Teller called attention to a recent
estimate that the island could be bought
for $4,000, and Mr.. Gallinger explained
that that was a mistake caused by mis-
apprehension on the part of the Senator
who made the suggestion.
MI PetuSrew moved to strike out Sl12,-
Jp and to insert S15,OpO, as the price to be
laid FOR the island. Mr.. Galinger said
that under such circumstances the amend
ment had better be withdrawn, because
the property could not and should not be
purchased fer that money. Mr.. Pettigrew
said he had occasion recently to look at
the island, which WAS low and unoccupied,
ana yielded no revenue, and he had no
doubt but that it could be purchased read
lily for $1,000.
Mr.. Gallinger said that Il had been stated
by reputable parties that 100000 had been
offered for the island. He further called
attention TO the fact that the present in
sanitary conditions caused by the GAS
around the island today affect Fort Myor,
but the city Of Washington much more
owing to the prevalence of the wind from
the south and west.
As tC the Tile.
MIR. Allen raised the question whether
this island was not the property of the
United States by reason Of its being in a
navigable stream. Mr.. Gray refuted this
suggestion, and, or motion of Edr Stewart.
an amendment was accepted providing that
the validity of the title shoIld be determ-
ined by the Attorney General.
Senators Garter and Burrows raised OBJ
Jections to the amendment, and Mr. White
called attention to the peculiar phrasiug
OF the provision in regard TO the title. Mr.
Allen said he supposed the time would
never come in the history Of Washington
when the real estate agents s.iu not have
some desirable property which they will
want TO sell TO the government at an OK
orbitant price. He declared that il was
known, and he was surprisel thar the
District committee did not nut a check
upon IL to some extent, that there are
men organized here for the expressed pur-
pose OF selling pieces of properly at fabu-
lous prices. Continuing, he said:
MIR. Aliens Comment.
AT this time, when there is such wide
spread distress among the people. when
the government is going in debt from
month to month and from year to year
to obtain money to pay the running ex-
penses of the government, why should we
indulge in the needless luxury Of pur-
chasing an island for which there is no
present demand? 1t is not claimed by the
Senator from New Hampshire or the COM
mittce on the District of Columbia that
there is any pressing demand FOR this ISL
and. Why not wait until there is de-
mand for the construction Of hospital
for contagious diseases; and possibly in the
meantime the ingenuity of the Washington
real estate syndicate will find a much more
desirable place than this island"
Mr.. Allen laid great stress on the aSser-
ton that this island had been formed by
the wash of the river, and Mr.. Stewart
corrected him and declared that il was a
rocky island that had been there as long
as the river itself MIR. Allen persisted,
however, in assuming that the title of the
island rested in the government, and he
said:
Insinuating job.
Now We propose to authorize the eX-
penditure of one hundred and twelve and
bo1f ,7orr, .1,y
the island at this time without the specifi-
cation Of solitary immediate use to which
1t is to be put. We might as well anuci-
pate at this moment that al some time in
the history OF the city Of Washington 1t
will have million population, and the de-
manG for public buildings will be double
what il now is. l have no doubt in my
own mind that that time may come If the
republic stands, and hope ii Will Yet
would 1t not be perfectly idle now to au-
thorize the expenditure Of public money in
the purchase of sites for imaginary or con-
templated public improvements far in
advance OF the actual demands Of the gov
eminent? How many men who lie around
this city get rich off Of transactions Of this
kind? How many such things pass through
! Congress that smell to heaven of jeh, OF
g transaction in which there is private
gain TO private individuals, and sometimes
the stencil reaches the garments Of Off
Gals. I am opposed to the amendment"
Mr. stewart DelieNeg that the proposition
was a good one, in the interests OF econ
omy, and after he had spoken for some
minutes Mr.. Allen facetiously asked if he
would permit of amendment TO the bill
| for the purchase of the island 10y silver
| coined at the ratio Of IL to !.
There was further debate as to the title
! of the island, and Mr.. Gallinger protested
| against the intimation that there was
swindling operation connected with the
| amendment.
Names Demanded.
Mr.. Kyle asked for the name Of the
| owner and Mr.. Pcttigrew asked for the
| name of the holder Of the mortgage, but 10
| information WAS vouchsafel except that
| Mr.. Proctor said he thought that Mrs.
| Dewey, the wife of a naval officer, is inter-
! ested in the matter. He had seen no one
| else, and had heard Of no real estate agent.
! All he knew was that this lady, with the
| wife of certain Sen3tor, had called Oh one
| or two members of The Jommittee. Mr..
| Faulkner said he und arstOod that there was
brother who was an invalid, and that
| they were the sole heirs-dt-law.
Mr.. Proctor WAS asked 10y Mr. Carter as to
| the basis of the amendment providing for
No,