Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-25
r o OK CREEK PARK
Commission Hearing Witnesses as to Special
Benefits.
Difference of Opinion az to Increase
of Values-Thosc Who
Were heard

Gen. john NJ. Wilson, Engineer Commits
sionef Beach, Gen. H. " Boynton and Mr..
r. Ross Perry of the Rock Creek Park
commits sion resumed the hearing at 3
O'Clock yesterday afternoon at the District
building OF the matter Of special benefits
to property within quarter of a mile of
the park limits. Quite number of the
land owners. accompanied by their attor-
neys, were present, and, after hearing sew
eral witnesses, the meeting was adjourned
until o'clock this afternoon.
A Resolution.
Mr.. Calderon Carlisle, ON behalf of the
property owners, submitted the following
resolution, which the commission took un-
der consideration:
THAT any party interested In the pro-
ceeGings of this commission is hereby grant
ed leave to submit. in writing, at any stage
of the proceedings, such objections to the
manner or method of proceeding or such
exceptions to the rulings of the commission
as he may be advised are necessary or ex-
pedient for the protection of his rights, and
if such objection is overruled, the same
shall be entered on the minutes Of the COM
mission, and a copy Of each entry be sub
mitted with the report of the commission
to the court.
Mr. Carlisle then suggested form of in
vitation to witnesses, for which he asked
approval, in view of the fact that the
commission is not authorized or empoW-
cred to subpoena witnesses. A general dis-
cusson followed, it being decided by the
commission to invite all present to testify,
and Stenographer Hulse who is an ex-
aminer in chancery, was requested to ad-
minister oaths to the witnesses.
Witnesses Heard.
Mr.. James NJ Johnson of the firm of
Riggs & Co., was the fist, and in response
to questions of Messrs. Mckinney and
Carlisle said the park is practically un-
improved. He believes no special benefits
have been derived by the surrounding prop
erty from the location of the park, and is
of the opinion that the establishment OF
villa sites and probable dotting OF the Mill
tops by handsome suburban cottages would
have enhanced the value of property TO
great extent Replying to Mr.. Perry, ne
acknowledged that he did not think the
presence of the park would interfere with
the onward march of improvements in
that direction, but that of his personal
knowledge, he knew of no building I'M
provements in the Quarter-mile limit since
the estab lishment of the park
Mr.. E. B. Townsend, local real estate
dealer, stated that he considers the pres
cnce of the park positive damage to al
jacent property. He believes 1udlcious puy-
ers have been very cautious to keep outside
of the limits of the proposed improvements
and said that he knew of but one sale IN
the neighborhood within the last three
years.
TO Mr.. Perry Mr.. Townsend said that
people have been 10th to buy in the proxim-
ity, owing to the agitation of this proposed
assessment for alleged benefits. He saw
no reason Why he should pay for improve
ments to ground surrounding OF ada zen :
to his properly. any more thai he would
pay for the beautifyfng of his neighbor
house, and that, as the District of Column
bia had been charged with the payment Of
one-half of the price of the park, every
property owner in the District had already
paid his share, and although it may be in
finitesimal, he did not see why those who
were unfortunate enough to own property
within a quarter Of mile of the park
should be expected to pay twice.
Mr.. ]. T. Dyer, a real estate dealer, stated
that from hrs own experience in trying to
negotiate sales in that neighborhood he
has found that the park has always been
detriment to the -consummation of the
same.
Mr.. L. M. Saunders testified much to the
same effect as the preceding witnesses and
said that he had been one of the government
witnesses before the appraisers court, eight
years ago, when the property was bought