Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-22
Alleged Unauthorized Occupation Of
Government Land.
SQUAFfER SOVEREIGNTY
Keeping the Old Records Of the
City,
RESULT OF THEIR STUDY

Colonel Bingham, the engineer officer in
charge OF public buildings and grounds, has
made a report to General Wilson. chief Of
engineers, in regard to the old records of
the city of Washington. In the course of
which he makes some startling statements
concerning the title to a number of squares
| and lots in different parts of the city oc-
cupied by private corporations and parties
| in alleged violation of law.
THE first Commissioners Of the city of
Washington" he says. were appointed by
President Washington January -, 1891, in
conformity with act of Congress approved
July 16. 1870. The duties of these Commits
sioners were transferred by various acts
Of Congress TO their successors in office.
who were appointed from time to time by
the President of the United States"
BY act of Congress. approved March 2.
1867, the Office of commissioner of public
buildings and grounds was abolished, and
the duties transferred to the chief Of en-
successor of the original Commissioners
appointed by President Washington in 1891
and the custodian of the original records
of the District of Columbia
The detailed history of these first original
records is given in annual report for 1895.
They are invaluable for reference In all
real estate matters, since all titles to real
estate in the District of Columbia are more
or less founded on them.
These old records and maps show in de-
tail the various transactions of the first
Commissioners in the original laying out
of the city of Washington: the construc-
ton of the United States public buildings.
and the sale Of public lots between the
years 1891 and 1867. A tabuated statement
has been prepared showing every lot orig
fnal!y belonging to the United States, as
well as those which were sold by the gen.
eral government between the years 1871
and 1867.
that there are number of squares and lots
in different parts Of the city of Washing
ton for which there is satisfactory evil
dence TO show that the United States has
ever received payment or granted deeds in
fee simple.
Government Property Occupied.
The following reservations, claimed as
the property Of the United States, are now
occupied. it is believed, without authority
of law:
Reservations Nos. 113, 127 and 1877, by the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company.
Reservation No. 228, by the Baltimore
ard Ohio Railroad Con rany. This reser-
walton has been occupied since 1884 by
large derrick ard used as a yard. No rec
ord of proper authority therefor can be
found.
The matter has time and again been re-
Ported in the annual reports Of my prede-
cessor, says Col. Bingham, land has also
oSSh iepuI leu " tHe law Officers OF the
government. The members of the North
east Washington Citizens Association have
lately made renewed effort to have this
reservation restored to the United States
and improved for the identifying of that
part of the city,
Reservation No. 125. by the Central Union
Mission, as place Of worship
Chapel of the New York Avenue Presby-
terrain congregation.
Reservation No. 293 intersection of Canal
and streets south and LIST street west,
occupied by party who built a frame
house thereon in 1885. This sse has been
In the hands of the United States district
attorney for the District of Columbia for
the past six years.
Reservation No. 249 is occupied as
Lumber yard by persons who claim to rent
1t from gentleman in Port Deposit Nd.
Reservations Ncs. 49, 1873. 141. 152. 16i
and 16' have been inclosed with iron or
wire fences and partially improved by the
owners of adjacent property.
Inc Following also are improved and util-
g., 1s9. 143. 16l. i62 1851. 1Gs, 175, oOs and
Care of the Records.
In order to care for, index. patch up and
preserve these invaluable records and to
exhibit them to these properly entitled to
consult them, and frequently to produce
these records In court the whole of one
mans time is absolutely necessary and
barely sufficient. The only employe of the
office who could be utilized for this purpose
was the one draughtsman allowed on the
office force Mr.. John Stewart who has
now devoted nearly twenty years to the
care and systematic assortment and fnyes-
tigaton of these records. Meanwhile. the
once Is practically without draughtsman.
whose services are absolutely essential to
the proper conduct of the regular business
of the office.
Special attention is invited to this i'm
portant matter, and 1t is urgently recon-
mended that provision be made for the en-
ployment of a clerk to take charge of all
these old records and of the necessary la
bors connected with their care and thus
permit the only draughtsman now allowed
the office to attend to no less pressing and
important work.
This request is the more confidently
urged because of additional duties recently
assigned to the engineers office. All build
ing plans in the city of Washington which
contemplate projections beyond the build
ing line are required by law to be approved
by the Secretary of War. In order that the
facts In each case may be thoroughly
known, the engineers office Is charged with
investigation and report. But as Washing
ton Is now a city Of over 275,OO0 inhabi-
tants, and as these requests for projections
average more than two a day throughout
the year, 1t will readily be seen how neces-
sary the services of another employe have
become.
THE COURTS.