Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-07
FOURTEENTH STREET
Commissioners Conditionally
Approve Bill for Extension.
DEDICATION OF GROUND
ATTENTION CALLED TO PRoVI-
SION REGARDING THE COST.
Entire Expense Imposed Upon the Dis
trict-The Recommenda-
tions Made.
DEDICATION OF GROUND

The report of the District Commissioners
on Senate bill 1852. providing for the ex-
tension Of 14th street has been agreed
upon. The Commissioners favor the
bill. provided not less than IS per
cent of the land necessary for the extension
is dedicated. They also call attention to
the fact that the bill again places the en-
tire cost of street extensions on the Dis
trict and reiterate their recommendation
that one-half Of all such cost should be
borne by the United States.
The Commissioners declare that the pro-
posed extension of 14th street Is one of the
most important highway improvements
projected in the District. because they be
lieve the section through which 1t passes
would be Immediately built up. 1t is stat
ed that as soon as the street Is opened the
18th street car line will be extended and at
tention is called to the fact that this will
give easy access to the proposed municipal
hospital at the head Of 18th street.
The Commissioners recommend that the
northern limit of the obligatory extension
of the street be changed from the "Piney
branch road near Brightwood" to the
reason that the property directly to the
north OF this tract Is not among those for
which dedicattons have been promised. and
the estimated cost OF SIC. 600 additional for
tend the street to the Piney branch road
and $14.OOO for grading and matchmaking
cannot we'll be spared at this time. The
Saul estate. 1t Is said, will dedicate an out
let to the Piney branch road on the west
and Brightwood avenue on the east, which
will fulfill all requirements for the present.
The Cost Estimated.
Continuing the Commissioners say:
THE cost Of opening the street to the
northern limit Of the Saul tract Is estimat-
ed at $4,000 for the land and $4,000 for
grading and matchmaking 1t Is stated in
the bill, however that dedications are pre-
pared and ready for delivery on certain
conditions, and 1t Is understood that these
dedications cover about 81 per cent Of the
point. If these dedications are made the
estimated cost of the land will be reduced
to about $4,000. of which part, if not ALL
will be assessed against the surrounding
property, the assessments being payable
in four equal installments.
THE cost of opening the street to its
northern terminus as laid down in the
street extension plans. which the bill au-
thOrizes the Commissioners at their dis
erection to do. is estimated at $125,OOO for
land, and $4,000 for grading and $4,000
amount Of land already offered. If dedi-
Gated. will reduce this item for land by
$4,000, and It seems probable that other
land would be dedicated further to the
north.
Regarded as Important.
1.-THE bill itself is based on the approved
form Of street extension bills. There are,
however. two points OF Importance In
which it differs from such bills.
First, it provides for the exemption
from assessments for the opening. condemn
nation, grading and matchmaking of prop
erty from which portion has been dedi-
Gated for the opening of the street. 1t is
not the rule In the District n cl1ar Ia nd
with the expense OF grading and macadam-
izing, so thtat this provision would reduce
itself simply to the cost of condemnation
The general proposition to exempt land
from which part has been dedicated for as
sessment would not seem to be absolutely
just. as it might operate very unequaily
upon the different people. according to the
amount dedicated and the area of the tract
from which 1t Is taken, and 1t Is believed
to be better policy to leave such a matter
to the jury. In this instance however, If
all the land offered for the opening of the
street is given 1t would not seem unfair to
exempt the remaining ground of parties SO
dedicating from assessments for condemn
ing the balance Of land necessary to extend
the street. 49,.
Second, the lands are proposed to be
dedicated on the further condition that an
appropriation shall be made for the physi-
cal opening Of the street. the amount be-
| that as rule If the appropriation is made
Tor the opening dedications can be more
readily secured, and also, that assessments
Tor benefits by the jury would probably be
greater. In this special instance the pfysi-
cal opening OF the street should be under
taken as soon as possible. At the same
| time. however. has always been the pol
Icy or the Commissioners to recommend
that an appropriation for grading and
macadamizing an extended street be not
included In the bill for Its opening. Such
provision might be unjust to other streets
which have been condemned. but which
have been waiting for some time for an ap-
preparation for their physical opening.
A Proviso Introduced.
''The Commissioners then, would recon-
| mend the extension OF 14th street to the
northern limit Of the Saul tract, provided
| that not less than IS per cent OF the land
ne cessary IS dedicated. and they also rec
ommend that the bill be amended so as to
require at least this percentage to be dedi-
Gated before condemnation proceedings are
begun.
1.-The bill also provides that the cost of
condemning the land and the expenses in
cident thereto shall be borne entirely by
instance the cost will not be great II the
land IS dedicated. the Commissioners be-
iieve that in ali cases of street extensions
one-haf the cost should be borne by the
United States"
The Commissioners forward with the re-
port maps of the proposed extension and
the portions Of land to be dedicated and
all necessary data upon which Congress
may proceed In the consideration Of the
bill.