The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-17

It is believed at the Capitol that the
bill to set apart portion Of the Airing
ton estate for experimental agricultural
purposes, and TO place that portion under
the jurisdiction of the Secretary Of Agri-
culture, will be passed. 1t has been favor
ably reported from the House Commit
tee on Military Affairs.
The bill was introduced pursuant to
request from the Secretary Of Agriculture
that he be given jurisdiction Of all that
portion Of the Arlington estate situated
east of the Georgetown and Alexandria
public road. which road extends from the
Aqueduct Bridge to Alexandria and be-
tween that road and the Potomac River,
for experimental purposes.
The Arlington estate consists Of LILO
acres. The cemetery, the Lee mansion,
and the military post known as Fort
Myer are all located on the more elevated
portion Of the estate situated west OF the
public road mentioned. Along the west
side of the road is a stone wall, con-
structed by the Government. which Is the
east boundary line OF that part OF such
military reservation embracing the ceme-
terry. mansion, and military post Imme
dately adjoining the public road on the
east is the right Of way, rOadbed, and
track CT the Washington, Alexandria and
ny's electric railway.
The stone wall the public road and the
electric railway, all three being parallel
one TO the other extend from north 10
south across the entire area of the estate
on that line and tend TO segregate so far
as the PHYSICAL view is concerned. the
lands intended to be set apart by the bill
from the remainder OF the estate. as the
portions so desired TO be taken, being
ah of Fl Of ha a
situated east Of the public road referred
10. The land embraced in the tract de-
sired is about 400 acres.
Should the bill become n law there
should still remain Of the estate under the
control Of the War Department for Gene
terry and military purposes .SS acres The
lands the Jurisdiction to which is thus
sought to be transferred adjoin the POto-
mac River on the west. and although their
altitude is considerably less than the 9TH
er portion of the estate. they cannot strict
~ be called iOviSnds in the sense in which
that term is generally used They are
sufficiently elevaled above the Potomac
River 10 rende. them free from the dan
gers OF inundatiCn. At present the prem
ises in question have the appearance OF an
abandoned e. ate with neither buildings
nor improven- auts thereon. The surface
is much quilted and cut up from rains
and the flow OF water in the small creeks
and Tivulets which empty into the Potomac
River.
The lands are so located as TO be in full
/ view Of the city OF Washington, and pres
/ ent an unsightly appearance. That they
I are considered fertile is evidenced by the
/ fact that whep leased in past years 20 oc-
I cupants for cultivation the rental was
l fixed at 50 per acre annually on these
I lands. while he hin land OF the estate
/ rented for 81 per acre. The committee
( has reported ;Nat there is no question but
/ what. under the care and direction Of the
! Secretary Of Agriculture, the premises.
now so uninviting TO the view. would not
/ only be changed to a beauty spot" but
/ would also prove TO be Of much practical
| use and substantial benefits TO the Agri-
/ cultural Department.
| The report Of the committee contains the
/ following paragraph:
Your committee is not unmindful OF
the possibility that lands mentioned
| might be required Tor military purposes
st some future time; yet, since the War
! Department has given such ready assent
| 10, and in fact rather urges the passage
| OF the bill and as the Government is in
no wise parting with any OF its interest,"
! or title to the premises, but merely trans
| ferring jurisdiction over them from one
/ department 10 the other. the power still
| remaining in il to again place the prem
ises under the jurisdiction Of the War De-
| partment il suUE action becomes a neces-
I sity, there would seem TO be no sound
reason for refusing the request Of the Sec
/ rotary Of Agriculture"