The Washington times., 1902-12-28
BLAIR LEE WRITES
OF STREET EXTENSION
Calls Attention Of Commis-
siOnerS to New Method.
HE SUGGESTS LEGISLATION
Refers to Thirteenth and Fourteenth
Streets in Undeveloped North
west.

Blair Lee. attorney for the Washing
ton City Orphan Asylum and others. has
sent a communication TO the District
Commissioners relative to bills pending
in Congress for the opening OF ThiF-
teenth and Fourteenth Streets north
west, beyond the present line Of i'm
provement Mr.. Lee directs the atten-
tion Of the board to the new method
proposed for the opening of these
streets. which is. briefly. as follows.
The bills provide that where 70 per
cent Of the land is donated, the power
Of eminent domain shall be invoked TO
complete the missing links, and that
those who DO not donate shall be as
sessed for benefits II is further pro-
vided that a small appropriation for the
physical Improvement Of the two streets
should be made at the same time, and
that two benefits be assessed on those
not donating. namely. the benefit for the
completion Of the right OF way by con-
demnation. and the benefit for improv-
ing the same. the latter being, in Mr.
Lees opinion. the superior benefit
"The acts" continues Mr.. Lee, FOR
street extension by condemnation. here
tofore passed. have provided that so per
cent Of the cost OF the right OF way
should be assessed back upon the ad-
jacent property holders. but the juries
/ have assessed on the average not more
than 30 per cent. and this. doubtless. be-
cause the right OF way so furnished was
/ a right of way on paper only l submit
that by taking the same amount Of
money and applying IL primarily to the
physical Improvement and assessing
both benefits. the right Of way would not
only be secured, but improved, and prac-
] ucauy for the same amount.
improvements Already Made.
Last year the Commissioners con-
ceded that both Of these streets are i'm
proved as far as opened. that they are
the most important streets in the unde-
veloped section Of the District. that
the people have waited long for further
extension. and that the streets should be
opened. but the board would not ap-
prove the new method proposed. aueg-
ing that # was inconsistent with their
old method.
Mr.. Lee explains that ne has drafted
amendments to the bills to meet the OBJ
jections formerly urged by the Commits
sioners. one Of which increases the
amount for the physical Improvement to
S42 900. conforming with the estimate
submitted by the Engineer Department
Another amendment provides for a pro-
lvisionaI amount, which may be necessary
10 complete the right OF way, OF $1,000
though Mr.. Lee thinks the most OF this
will be available FOR physical improve
ment
Land Pledged.
Il is further stated that 81 per cent
of land required for Fourteenth Street
has been pledged. and so per cent o.
that required for Thirteenth Street IL
says that the benefits to be assessed
back should cover the remaining 12 pei
cent and 20 per cent. respectively.
Another amendment 20 the Four
teenth Street bill provides for 1
bond issue OF S2SOOO. the paymen
to be restricted to the receipt
! from increased taxation on tha
street. The $4,000 represents the $500
Z mentioned. and the Districts one-hal
Of the $4,000 required for the improve
2 ment.
By the passage Of the bills as amended
Mr.. Lee says the owners Of propert.
: along the two streets will pay the on
tire cost OF the opening and improve
. ment, first, by dedicating the right O
- way, and then By paying taxes on thei
b property enhanced I'm value therefrom
He thinks there should be no longer an.
objection 10 the legislation proposed.