The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Attorney Submits Opinion on
the Refund of Taxes.
Lot 4S. After Two Conveyance.
Falls Into POssessiOn of a Build
ing AssOciatiOn-Rfght and Law OF
the Case-Assexsment ON Church
Property Fees for Certificates.

Andrew B. Duvall, the Attorney for the
District. yesterday submitted to the Com
missioners a supplemental opinion upon
the application Of C. F. Benjamin, attor-
ney for the Perpetual Building Associa-
ton, renewing its application of March Il,
1900, for the cancellation of certain gen
eral taxes against the east half of lots As,
Wright & Cox subdivision of Mount
Pleasant then the property of Frank r.
and Silas Harris. With reference to the
matter, the Attorney says:
Il was of the opinion. and SO advised on
May 81, 1900, that the original applica-
ton should be refused. The application
is now renewed, and the additional facts
presented are that Frank R. and Silas
Harris have conveyed the property to
Jartes H. Winslow, who, OF September II,
1900, conveyed the same to John Cook, as
trustee for the Perpetual Building Assoc
citation subject 10 the deed of trust made
by Frank R. and Silas Harris, in favor of
the association, with power TO sell and
convey the same in fee simple, etc.
Il am unable TO see that the conveyance
to Winslow and his deed in trust for the
benefit of the association change the situ-
alton. Certain taxes were omitted from a
certified statement of the taxes obtained
by court trustees in connection with the
settlement OF the account of the trustees
in an equity case for the partition Of the
real estate of Joseph Harris. The above
mentioned part of lot As was conveyed by
the trustees to Frank and Siias Harris.
These heirs borrowed money upon deed
of trust from the Perpetual Building AS
ISOLATION, the association acting upon the
faith of the certified statement of taxes.
1.-The association has not yet suffered any
loss by reason Of the omission of the taxes
from the certified statement. The case
stands as IT did when i advised that If
there should be sale OF the property I'M
der the deed OF trust and the association
should become the purchaser, II would be
entitled to have the taxes Cancelled, but
in the present situation Of the case it is
not go entitled
Il am of the opinion that the present
application should be denied"
Thomas Lanham, the District Superin-
tendent of Parking, has recommended to
Captain Newcomer, assistant to the En-
gineer Commissioner, that heavy wooden
boxes be placed around the trees in the
parking On Pennsylvania Avenue southeast,
between Eighth Street and the bridge over
the Eastern Branch, to protect them from
injury by horses, teams etc; that the
boxes be set by the Parking Commission
at the expense of the railroad company for
labor and materials. Continuing, Mr.. Lam
ham says:
There are IA trees which need protec-
ton by wooden boxes. / recommend that
the boxer made of undressed lumber, which
are ncr being removed from trees which
have sntgrown them. and are seven feet
high. be placed around the trees in ques-
ton at cost Of IS cents box, inclu:ing
the four stakes, total sos; cost of trim
ming low limbs and placing boxes at %
cents. total SIG. ] also recommend that a
strip twenty feet wide through the centre
of the parking be cleared of the soil and
piled on the District property just north
of the Eastern Market, at an estimated
cost Of putting the strips of parking not
occupied with car tracks in good order and