Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29
Proposed Rounding Out Of 0bserva-
tory CIRCLE.
Sec. LONG WANTS APPROPRIATION
Sale Of SuperfIuous Territory
81 ne
Would be Amp|ee9Recompense.
LoNG-CoNsIDERED PROJECT

The Secretary of the Navy has asked
Congress to appropriate S149,571 for the
purchase of additional land for the use of
the naval observatory. He has written a
letter to the congressional committees on
naval affairs, in which he describes the
condition and needs Of the institution as
follows:
BY joint resolution approved August 1,
1884, Congress made provision for the es-
Establishment of AN observatory circle as a
provision for guarding the delicate astro-
nomical instruments at the United States
naval observatory against smoke or cur
rents Of heated air in the neighborhood,
and undue vibrations from traffic upon the
extension of public thoroughfares In the
vicinity, and for other purposes
1t was provided in this resolution that
the circle thus established should be de-
scrloed within radius of 1000 feet from
the center of the clock room at the naval
observatory and inasmuch as the then ex-
lsting observatory reservation was not cir
cular, but irregular in outline, the sale of
such portions of it as extended beyond the
boundary of the circle and the purchase by
condemnation or otherwise, from private
owners, OF their lands lying within the linz
its of the circle was authorized. 1t was
contemplated by the joint resolution that
the purchase of the lands necessary to COM
plete the governments ownership of OBJ
servatory Circle should be made from the
proceeds of the sale of portions of the res
ervation situated outside of the circle.
Acting in pursuance of the provisions of
the aforementioned resolution the de-
partment appointed board of appraisers,
consisting of John w. Ross, then president
Of the board of Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia; Mr.. Thomas E. Waega-
man of Washington and the superinten lent
Of the observatory to make the necessary
appraisals. which being DONE the lands to
be sold were subdivided and proposals for
the purchase thereof formally invited. One
of the subdivisions, containing 14.45 acres,
situated north and east of the Observatory
Circle, was appraised at Sill, 4545T, or a
fraction less than 221a cents per square
foot. The other tract, fronting upon Mas
sachusetts avenue extended, and abutting
upon Observatory Circle. containing 1,21S
acres, was appraised at $1S,569.63.
No Demand for Suburban Land.
Under the provisions contained in the
joint resolution no portion Of these lands
could be sold at less than the appraised
price, and no offers, with the exception OF
one for part of the smaller plot, which
the department did not deem it expedient
to accept having been received. the sale
was consummated. The board of apprais-
erS was then recOnVened, and the question
as to whether the prices fixed were too
high was brought to IT'S attention. After
reconsideration of the subject the board
unanimously reported that the prices fixed
were not too high. stated that in it's opin-
ion there was at that time QS95) no de-
mand for suburban real estate on the part
of investors, and recommended that action
be postponed pending an Improvement in
the real estate market. The course thus
recommended was adopted by the depart
ment, and, accordingly. since that time no
steps have been taken in pursuance of that
portion of the joint resolution of August l,
1894, which relates to the establishment OF
the Observatory Circle.
ut will be seen from the foregoing state
ment that the chief object of the resolution
referred to has failed of accomplishment in
consequence of the fact that no direct pro-
vision was made for the purchase of lands
in private ownership lying within the pro-
posed circular reservation, 1t being required
that the proceeds Of the sale of lands lying
without such limit should be used for the
purpose.
Purchase of Necessary Land Urged.
I'm consideration of the extensive and
We1l-equipped astronomical establishment
which the government possesses at the ma
val observatory; in view OF the importance
Of protecting the immediate vicinity of this
establishment from encroachment by pri-
vate enterprises for uses which might at
any time seriously impair the efficiency and
value of scientific observations; and mas
much It is probable that lands in that
neighborhood will increase rather than de-
crease in value. have reached the conclu-
sion, after conference with the chief of the
bureau of equipment and the superintendent
of the naval observatory on the subject
and in accordance with their recommended
ten. that the public interests involved will
be best served by the direct purchase of
such lands as may be necessary to estab-
lish the observatory circle. have the hon
or. therefore, to submit herewith esti-
mate Of the amounts necessary to accom-
plish that object.
Discretion Regarding Sale.
cit is further suggested that If the action
herein recommended be approved by the
committee allowance Of the amounts esti-
mated be accompanied by a clause author
izing the Secretary Of the Navy to sell. at
such time and In such manner as may be
most expedient for the public interests, at
price not less than their appraised value
all portions of the naval observatory reser-
walton lying without the limits Of the OBJ
servatory circle as established by the Joint
resolution of August L, 1894.
ut Is believed that the government will
realize from the sale of lands not needed
for the purposes of the observatory a sum
amply sufficient to cover the amount of the
estimates now submitted"