Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-14
DISTRICT HIGHWAYS
Report of Commissioners on Amended
Bill for Extensions.
GIVE THE MEASURE THEIR APPROVAL
Board Wants Authority to Change
Plans When Necessary.
ONLY POINT OF DIFFERENCE

ONA IOlN1 Of LIE F4h EN- CE
The District Commissioners today sub
mitted to Congress their report on the act
introduced last week in both houses of
Congress to amend the highway extension
act of March 2, 1893, which was prepared
by the board of trade after several con-
ferences with the Commissioners.
The Commissioners, as was stated in The
Star several days ago, approve the
amendatory act, provided it be amended
in several minor instances but they insist
that they be given authority to make
such changes in the plan of the proposed
improvements, after the map shall have
been filed, as in their judgment may ap-
pear necessary and proper. This point, it
will be recalled. was the only one on which
the board of trade and the Commissioners
differed. The Commissioners are of the
opinion that it is not such a difference as
will endanger the passage of the pro-
posed bill.
Several of the amendments advised by
the Commissioners were suggested by the
treasurer of the United States to whom
they referred a copy of the amendatory
act these amendments relating to the pro-
posed issue of bonds for the payment of
the contemplated improvements.
The Commissioners vigorously urge that
the general government shall bear it's pro-
portiOnate share of the expense of the
improvements, remarkng that the justice
of such an arrangement is too apparent to
require argument. To repeal the highway
extension act, they say, would be alb
solutely contrary to the best interests of
the District and, while they contend that
to increase the taxation to carry out
the provisions of the act would be I'M
wise and inadmissibe. they say the pro-
sod 1f dc sc ,of NylN-
but that it will not by any means prove
burdensome to the people of the District.
Full Text of the Report.
The report of the Commissioners is as
follows:
The Commissioners have the honor to
return herewith the bill H. R. 5SS2, Fifty
fifth Congress, second session, to amend an
act of Congress approved March 2, 1893,
entitled An act to provide a permanent
system of highways in that part of the
District of Columbia lying outside of cities,
ard for other purposes.
I'm returning this bill the Commissioners
desire to invite attention TO the fact that
the experience of all growing cities has
shown clearly the need of comprehensive
plan laid out far in advance OF the extern
sion of the streets and avenues through
suburban districts and their vicinity. The
ordinary growth of cities is by accretions
Immediately adjacent to the city. and by
the growth of suburban communities. This
Ma tural growth in the course of Il few
years causes suburban communities to
unite with each other and finally with the
city itself
THE act of August 81, 1888, was designed
to provide for the formation of such sub
similar to that of Washington, SO that
when they Joined together they would h"
q harmonious whole. The weakness of this
act lay largely in the fact that no author
fU civ he commissioners O a
a comprehensive plan for the entire Dis
trlct by means of which they would he able
to foretel what would be the proper sys-
TEN of streets in any part of the District
where such a village was being developed
The Misnt Subdivisions.
1.-THE fact that number of subdivisions,
aptly termed 'misft.' were laid out prior
to the act of 1885, and the further fact tina,
in the subdivisions formed under the act
of 1883 it was absolutely impossible to
fcretell with accuracy, in advance of a
comprehensive plan, what would be the
sy stem of streets and avenues for those
localities have caused suburban extensions
and villages to be built with streets which
are not adapted to each other and are not
in keeping with the Leeds of the District
of Columbia The act of 1893, known as
the Highway Extension Act was de-
signed to remedy these evils In its prac-
teal operation it has proved to be difficult,
visions. and the amendments proposed in
this bill, with certain others herein pro-
posed, are believed by the Commissioners
necessary for the purpose of securing the
practical operation of the law, and also to
remove certain hardships entaied by the
act in its present condition as well as
Sc emingly unwise provisions in the act it
self.
be divided into Two parts: First, to secure
a degree of harmony In the street system
within subdivisions existing at the time of
the passage of the act: and. second to pro-
vide for future extensions of highways
through unsubdivlded lands. they may
be required. The conditions of property are
radically different in the subdivided and
unsubdivided lands. In subdivisions the
property is held in small parcels. many of
" hich are improved or which are about to
be improved, for residence purposes. These
parcels as originally laid out had their
value based in part on the positions of
streets as they then existed, and in many
cases the owners of them have been
obliged to borrow money, using the land
as security. in order to build their houses.
Under these conditions any legal status
which in any way throws a cloud upon the
title makes it difficult to transfer this land
or to borrow money upon it, and works a
hardship upon the owners.
Entails Hardship.
I'm numerous instances which have come
under the notice of the Commissioners this
hardship has been real one, in some
cases almost wiping out the savings of a
lifetime of worthy citizens. For these rea-
sons it is only just and proper that what
ever changes are made in these existing
Subdivisions should be made promptly, and
should be accompanied by immediate pay
n.ent for land taken or damage inflicted
The unsubdivided lands are today used
Tor farm or villa purposes, or for invest
ments for people of ample means The
1act that at some time streets laid out on
definite plan will extend across them in
no wise initiates against the owner. That
TINS Is fact can be proved from the ex-
perlence in many cities of the country.
Through these lands highways are requir-
ed under one of two conditions--frst
where the owner desires to subdivide his
land and to place it on the market in small
parcels, and, second. when it is necessary
TO connect suburban community with the
city.
Experience in this District has shown
that where the owner desires to put his
land on the market, the highways or parts
or highways laid out to cross 1t are dedi-
Gated for the use of the public, and such
dedication in many instances has resulted
ft,1 nEf p-OS4