Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
Nearing the Close.


The bill came up for consideration in the
House March "a, 1889. Among the changes
made was the omission of the word me
mortal from the name. So spirited was
the debate that. despite the efforts of it's
friends, the bill went over to a future date.
It's consideration in committee of the whole
was resumed, however April %, and an
amendment was made to it, providing for
an assessment of benefits upon adjacent
lands.
This bill as amended was favorably re-
ported to the House. but was defeated by
ten majority-7S to SO. Events proved, how
ever, that the defeat was but temporary.
May % a motion was made to reconsider
the vote by which it was rejected Mean
while the citizens committee had done
some effective work upon those who had
not voted at the first trial of strength. and
the result was victory for the committee by
a vote of 1O7 to SO.
The measure was under the rules next
considered in conference, when other
changes were made and September %,
1890 near the close of long term of
Congress, the House adopted the confer
ence report, the vote being ayes, 1913; noes,
Go. Under it's provisions, as it came from
changed the name to Rock Creek Park, and
the House amendment for assessing bene-
fits was retained. The sum of 200 600
was retained to meet the cost of purchase,
and it was provided that a commission to
take charge of the park should be appoint
ed to consist of the chief of engineers of
the army, the Engineer Commissioner of
the District and three citizens, to be ap-
NV tha Drac e tod
States
The Senate adopted the conference report
September 26, and the President affixed his
signature September 81. The commission
promptly appointed. 1t consisted of
General Thomas L. Casey, chief of engi-
neers; Lieutenant Colonel Henry NJ Robert,
Engineer Commissioner of the District,
both of whom, under the terms of the bill,
were members by virtue of their office; Cen
eral Henry V. Boynton. Professor S. P.
Langley and Mr.. r. Ross Perry. Captain
Rossell. then assistant to the Engineer
Commissioner, by virtue of his office be-
came the executive officer of the commits
sion.
Final Victory Against Distractions.
The work of development was al once be-
mission met with distractions. A num-
Der of the owners accepted the amounts
offered for their holdings, and an aggre-
gate of nearly 800 acres passed nomi-
nally by private sale into the possession of
the government but in many instances the
parcels had to be acquired by condemnation
proceedings. Within little more than
a year after the bill was approved by
the President the appraisers. whose ap-
pointment was provided for under it's pro-
visions, made their report, awarding in
the aggregate 81 1861 57 to the owners of
property within the proposed park. This
amount, added to the $4,000 paid to those
who accepted the offers made by the COM
mission, exceeded the appropriation of
$1,20O,OOO by about 0,OOO, but the COM
mission stated in their letter to the Presi-
dent that if the appraisement were ap-
proved by him. only such tracts would be
taken as could be purchased within the ap-
preparation available. The fact that the
awards exceeded the appropriation was
made the basis of a determined legal attack
upon the part of dissatisfied owners. Point
after point was raised in the courts to de-
feat confirmation, but after patient hear
ing the order was issued January s, 1892
approving the report.
An effort was made to assess adjoining
property for benefits, but after taking the
matter through the courts the commission
concluded that the evidence showed no
surrounding property due to the location of
preciable at the time and were not sufficient
to he ipJi cd byya