Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-16
N OTIFlED TO VACATE
Persons Occupying Certain Space on the
River Front.
Wharfage to BE Taken by the Gov
eminent for the Needs of
the Departments.

Colonel Bingham. the engineer officer in
charge of public buildings and grounds,
acting as the representative of the chief of
engineers, has served formal notice to
cate on all the persons occupying the river
front from the north line of the arsenal
grounds to the southern curb of y street
south.
The space in question was placed In
charge of the chief of engineers of the
army by the act of Congress approved
March last. in relation to the charge ana
control of the wharf property along the
river front of Washington.
Colonel Bingham's action is based on the
recent decision of the United States Su-
preme Court, giving the United States alb
solute title to the entire river front OF
Washington.
Although the persons occupying the small
space specifically under the control of the
chief OF engineers, have been notified that
they must vacate the premises the action
was taken, ii is said, with the understand
ing that under the Supreme Court decision
they VIII be entitled to reimbursement for
the improvements they have made to the
property in good faith.
The question of damages will have to be
determined by the Supreme Court of the
District.
For Use of the Departments.
In conversation with a Star reporter to-
day, Col Bingham said that when the oc-
cupants of this property get out, the United
States will take immediate possession, and
Congress will be asked to appropriate
money for watchmen to take care of the
property and protect the rights of the gov
eminent
A board, of which Col. Allen and Engi-
neer Commissioner Beach are members has
been constituted to establish harbor lines,
which work is an essential feature of the
permanent improvement of the river front
me next thing to be done then is to go to
congress for money TO clear up the wharf
front and build out a levee and fix the
wharf line.
Several departments of the government
nave great need of a landing place at
Washington. and it is probable that the
wharf front allotted to the chief of engi-
neers will be divided up among these de-
partments. Such a wharf would be found
of great advantage to the vessels of the
qudrtermaSters department and the engi-
neer department of the army
An effort will be made to get sufficient
funds for the construction of fine granite
emoankmeLt and good set of slips.
Foot of Seventeenth Street.
Col. Bingham also calls attention to the
fact that the law reserved a space Of about
900 feet at the foot of 18th street for the
purposes of the government.
This space is at the head of the
I'll shing reservoir, and is regarded as
a most convenient point for the
landing of government vessels. Although
this particular point may not be utilized for
Some time, il was thought best in view of
the fact that the United States has title %
1t, that ii should be reserved for the pur-
poses of the government
W men the government has taken posses-
sion OF its property on the river front
rules and regulations will be promulgated
with the approval of the chief of engineers
for its care and maintenance.