The times., 1899-01-19
A NEW BILL SUBMITTED.


The Commissioners yesterday transmit
ted to Chairman Babcock report on
House bill 1857 for the extension of $
regard the original bill as defective and
have recommended the adoption of "A sub
stitute reading as follows:
The Commissioners of the District Of Columbia
are hereby authorized and directed to open and
extend :. Twenty and Decatur Streets
through lots Al and y ci Phelps and futile suh-
division Of Connecticut Avenue Heights, part Of
Widows Mite, by condemnation purchase, aud
for the purpose Of such condemnation purchase.
| and Cor grading said streets, the Of s., or
| 50 much thereof may be necessary, is hereby
appropriated out OF any moneys IN the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated, nne-half TO BE- paid
hy the nitcd Slater and onc-haf by the District
oi COlInnbid: Provided, That the owners Of tie
kali tract dedicate the land in said tract,
without compensation therefor contained within
thy line ui said streets. IN the event Of the
failure of The said Commissioners 10 acquire hv
purchase III" necessary land fnr the opening of
said streets through StId lots ior which in
their opinion j. just .nd reasonable then aid
Commissioners shall al proceedings for
| the requirement uf >iid land under The provisions
| of Chapter " Of the Revised Statutes Of tho
niied States relating to The District OF Columbia
The report Of the Commissioners reads
as follows:
The bill Is submitted appeared t" the Co,nrnis.
sioucrs 10 he defective. and MAS therefore referred
! by them 10 the attorney tor Ihc District vino
makes the following statement concerning il:
Il think il would be bette 10 Iuthorize YOU to
| condemn the right oi way Tor the proposed
streets under Chapter NJ ui The Revised Statutes.
| Congress, by clause IN tn, Di-tric; apururria-
lion bill OF August :. lsy3. has apparently indi-
| Gated it, prciciCnc" Tor proceeding ia highway
| cases, under this chapter.
Tie provision ia this bill tha, the commission
| proposed 10 be appointed l,y tho court C,yhat
| court l. not stated to appraise the value Of
| the land. and assess against the District The
amount ut the benefit 10 the public generally, and
| the rema inder against the of abUtting
| property. which shall lc specially benefited by
| the proposed improvement and that the asses
| mcnt against the owuci.' Ci admitting
| property shall be a lien ca the property So
| charged and he collected a. special assessment :
| are collected and g,hen collected, shall he paid
into the Treasury Of the United States as sep
| aiate fund, 10 be used exclusively for the pay
| mcEt I" damages awarded, is, ia my Judgment
| inpracticable. well unconstitutional.
| The Commissioners agree with the attorney
| upon the points in question. and believe that the
| intent Of the bill could be- accomplished Inuc,
ly them, and they therefore have 10 submit here.
| with The draft Of bin which they believe will
| -rve the purposes intended.
| The opening Of the streets in question in tho
| opinion Of the Commissioners. would be benefi,
10 the land through which they run. and also Ia
the territory lying Immediately north and west o
this tract. which Is cut of from easy access
| 20 Connecticut Avenue and the rapid transit linf
| upon that STREET IL is believed that an appro.
| priation of 5000 viii be- sufirisnt Ia accom-
plish the requirements Of the bill.