Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-17
AFFAIRS COMPLICATED
QUESTION OF DIFFERENCE OVER
LAND ADJOINING HOSPITAL.
Item in Sundry Civil Bill Providing
for Purchase-HearingB Before the
Commissioners.

A very much complicated condition of af-
fairs, it is stated, has grown out of the pro-
vision in the last sundry civil bill for the
purchase of a part of the tract of land ad-
joining the Garfield Memorial Hospital and
belonging to the heirs of C. G. Schneider.
The mixed conditions brought about
hearing this morning before the District
Commissioners, in which Mr.. J. K. Mccain
mon represented the trustees Of the hos
pital and Mr. Leo Simmons represented the
Schneider heirs. The amount appropriated
In the bill for the purchase of a specified
portion Of the Schneider land was $4,000.
There is liability of an assessment for
benefits for street opening against this por
tion of the land of s1S,0 900. One of the al
legged complications has arisen over the
question as to whether the District. in pur
chasing the land, should assume the re-
sponsibility for this assessment, or whether
the deed should be so -worded that the
Schneider heirs should be liable for the as
sessment. The last proposition on this point
made by Mr.. Simmons is to the effect that
nothing in the deed shall be construed to
bar the Schneider heirs from fighting any
proposed assessment. The corporation coun-
sci, Mr.. Duvall, and Mr.. Simmons have
FLASHED as to the wording of the inStru-
ment In this respect. Each claims to be
right in the premises. and their views
are Numerically opposed there is Ques-
ton the Commissioners must consider.
Once Thrown Out Of Court.
The assessment for street extension bene-
fits against the Schneider tract has once
been made. but was thrown out in court
on technicalities. 1t is to be relieved by
the District. At the present time, there
fore, there is no assessment in effect, but
the District authorities hold there is no
question as to the levying Of one within
short while. Mr.. Simmons says he doubts
very much II an assessment will ever be
collected. 1t was brought out in the hear
Ing that the Schneider heirs had offered
the property to the hospital authorities for
10000. Mr.. McCammon was asked by the
Commissioners If any mention was made
that the hospital should assume the liza
he did not believe that matter was men,
toned. He said the hospital authorities
expected to get a good title for the sum
OF $4,000. Colonel Biddle asked why 1t
was that under the proposition to sell to
the District there should be liability OF
$4,000 added to the $4,000. making the
property, in effect, cost $4,000. 1t was re-
marked that the District could Ill afford
T. lose an item Of $4,000 at this time. Mr..
Simmons explained-that when the propo-
sition was made to the hospital the Schnef-
der heirs knew that the matter would
have to be the subject Of an appropriation
and legislation by Congress and expected
that Congress would, therefore, relieve the
In Behalf Of Hospital.
When the matter Of assessment had been
thoroughly gone over Mr.. McCammon arose
and spoke in behalf Of the hospital trustees
with respect to the title to the land. He
said the trustees bad passed a resolution to
the effect that they would not accept the
use Of the land or any benefits deriving
from its purchase unless the title was made
In fee simple to the hospital which is a pri-
vate corporation. He said all appropriations
in the past had been made to the hospital
proper, and that he believed it was the In
tent1on Of Congress that the title to the
proposed addition to the grounds should be
made over to the hospital trustees The
matter Is. not specifically treated in the ap-
propriating clause. Mr.. McCammon said
that under the clause as 1t now stands title
could be taken either in the United States.
IN the District Of Columbia or the hospital
trustees. - =.
Col Biddle asked Mr. Mccammon what
the hospital authorities would do in case
the Commissioners decided that they would
nave to take title in the District, in the
absence or any special provision to the con-
trary. He also asked If the trustees would
ADVISE, In that case, that the whole matter
De dropped and no purchase be made at
this time. The colonel further explained
that when these questions had arisen in the
negotiations he had suggested that the
whole matter be referred back to Congress
Tor an expression of its intent in the prem
Uses. Both Mr.. Simmons and the hospital
trustees had objected to this course
Mr.. McCammon suggested that the land
might be bought in the name of the District
II the commissioners made a provision that
it was their intention to recommend to
Congress, or to work with the hospital au-
thorities, to secure change Of title to the
hospital trustees. Unless the land were
eventually decided outright to the hospital
the trustees would not accept its use.
The Commissioners said they would have
to consider the matter carefully and consult
with their legal adviser as to what course
to pursue.
Tim CIV nnanrrnx.-1.