The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-01-14

NAV be diVidedtinto two parts: lSt' TO
secure degree. of harmony in the
street system within subdivisions exist
ing at the timeto of the passage OF the
act: and 2d. to provide FOR future eX-
tensions Of highways through unsuo-
divided lands. as they may be requir-
ed.
As to the hardships Of the present
law and their remedy. the COMMISSION
ers say:
The conditions Of property are radi-
caTv different in the subidvided and
1Insubdivided lands. In subdivisions
the property is held in small parcels,
many of which 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 i'm 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 il difficult 10 transfer TINS
land or TO borrow money upon 1t. ana
works a hardship upon the owners.
In numerous instances which have
come under the notice of the Commits
sioners this hardship has been real
one-in some cases almost wiping out
the savings of a lifetime of worthy cit
izens. For these reasons il is only just
and proper that whatever changes are
made in these existing subdivisions
should be made promptly, and should
be accompanied by immediate pay
ment for land taken or damage infiict-
ed"
As to the unsubdivided lands nov
used for farm and villa purposes or
held for investment by people of ample
means" ii is stated that the foundation
of a street extension plan relative to
them viii be beneficial rather than an
injury. When the owner himself de-
sires to have the streets, his land be-
comes more valuable Immediately and
he is willing to dedicate to the city.
Where streets are needed by the city
for the purpose Of furnishing main ar
teries to connect suburban communi-
ties with the city, it may become nee
essary to acquire by purchase or con-
demnation & right of way. In this last
case. for the protection of the taNpay
ers. the bill provides that Congress
shall give direct authority in each case
before such payments are made"
Under the acts relating To the ex-
tension Of streets, the Commissioners
say:
Congress has directed that in max
ing these extensions the streets and
highways laid down shall be opened on
the same magnificent scale. as to width
and plan as now exists i'm the city of
Washington. so as TO make for all time
the Capital Of the Nation a city sec
ond to none in the world in beauty and
magnificence. IN the city of Washing
ton the proportional part Of land taken
for streets and avenues, and the small
reservations. excluding the large parks,
is about fifty per cent of the total area.
In the suburbs the streets and reserva-
tions. as laid down under the proposed
extensions. will average from thirty
five to forty per cent Of the area. In
the city Of Boston this percentage av-
erages thirty. and in Philadelphia about
twenty-five
After detailing the simplification Of
the plan for the first section" lying
between Rock Creek and North Capitol
street, the Commissioners state that the
cost of the entire system is thus reduc-
ed to 81, ,O00 600, part of which will be
repaid in assessed general benefits.
This. they state. must be provided in
the immediate future
AS TO the means Of raising the money
for the plan. they say:
Justice Of maintaining the provisions
of the act of June II. 1878. in which the
rnlted States entered into an agree
ment TO bear one-half the expenses or
the District of Columbia, is too appar-
ent To require argument here, and they
strongly urge that the bin as amended
in these particulars be enacted into
law.
when confronted with the necessity
for the payment of the Districts half OF
the 81. 600 600. and by the fact that this
amount cannot be paid from the reve-
nues of the District of Columbia. the
Commissioners find that one of three
ways lies before them:
First. To repeal, in toto, the high
way act.
second. To increase taxation.
Third. To raise the amount neces-
sary by an issue OF, bonds.
"The Commissioners believe that the
first proposition is absolutely contrary
to the best interests of the District of
Columbia: that the second proposition
is unWise and inadmissible, and that
the third proposition is feasible. They
therefore recommend that the provis-
ions Of the bill relating to this be pass
ed"
They state that the bond scheme need
not. in their opinion, be a great hard
ship on the taxpayers il il is wisely ar
ranged. The Commissioners make one
amendment to the bill submitted. AS
originally prepared. they say the bill
has no elasticity whatever regarding
changes in the street system. II is be-
lieved that much changing will not be
advisable and contrary to the spirit of