The times., 1898-12-30
THE PROPERTY REFUSED
District Commissioners Object
to the Conditions.
THE OFFER APPRECIATED
A Troublesome Precedent Might he
Established - Declarations Should
Re unconditional - improvements
Are Needed Columbia Heights
Residents Devoted to the Project.

Richard E. Pairo and a number of othe.
property holders in the vicinity of Twenty
second and Streets northwest have Of
fered to dedicate enough land lying d.
rectly on and Twenty-second Streets
and portion of Decatur Place to permit
the extension of the streets in question.
provided that sufficient appropriation is
made to purchase or condemn S Street
through the Phelps and Tuttle subdivision
and to grade all of the streets thus pro-
vided for.
The only other condition to be consid-
cred is that the appropriation must be
Immediately available. and the work OF
grading the streets must commence at
once. The letter containing the offer was
sent to Senator William B. Allison. Chair
man Of the Senate Committee on Appro-
priations, and by him referred to the Dis
trict Commissioners for a report on the
advisability OF granting the request OF the
property owners in question.
After carefully reviewing the facts in the
case, the Commissioners submitted the fol-
lowing report:
"The estimated cost of the work is $780,,
366. The opening of these streets would
be of benefit to the land through which
they run and also to the portion lying i'm
mediately north and west of this tract,
which is now cut off from any access TO
Connecticut Avenue and the rapid-transit
line upon that street. 1t is considered that
it would be establishing a troublesome
precedent TO accept dedications contingent
upon immediate improvements. Through
out the District there are many cases
where people have voluntarily given their
land TO the District without conditions;
houses have been built upon the streets
thus dedicated. and the people have as yet
been unable TO secure the proper grading
and regulating of the streets upon which
their house stand and in which many of
them live.
Under these circumstances it is be-
lieyed that dedications should be made
Internationally and that the appropriations
for improvement of streets should follow
as rapidly as the development OF the
streets and the appropriations by Congress
permit.
THE Commissioners cannot see their
way clear to recommend the acceptance OF
the dedication under the conditions
named"
1t is probable that the property holders
may be allowed to reconsider their decision
to dedicate the property or will be per-
mitted to change the form OF dedication
and its conditions II is claimed by the
residents of this locality that the extension
of Street is one of the most necessary
features OF the highway extension system.
They are compelled TO walk several blocks
more 10 reach their homes from the street
ear lines than would be necessary If the
extension proposed by them should be
made. The streets in all directions from
this locality have been cut through and
most of them have been graded. This lit
tie spot has been left untouched and the
residents think that it should be improved
Immediately.
The decision of the Commissioners will
probably meet with bitter opposition from
the property holders, who intend TO make
a fight for what they consider their rights.
The site of the proposed extension lies in
the center of one of the most beautiful and
thickly populated sections OF that por-
tion of the suburbs known as Columbia
Heights, and it is believed That the open
ing of the streets proposed. will serve to
build up that section of the city.