The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-15
Contention that the Lawrence Land Is
Not Worth the Purchase Price
shown to BE Untrue.
STATING THAT 800 An ACRE WAS
NOT AN ExoRBITANT PRICE.
Miers, Grimth and Robinson, OF the
Ind fana Democratic Delegation,
Won Over by Major steele.

stan Correspondence or the Journal
WASHINGTON. Feb. 14-with the excep-
tion of Mr.. Zenor. the Indiana Democratic
members of the House got on the band
wagon to-day and voted in favor of Mr..
Overstreets amendment for an appropria-
tion of $4,000 with which TO help purchase
ground for the Indianapolis military post {
The amendment carried by a vote of LIS ford
and So against 1t. A number of Democrats
voted with the Republicans on the measure.
Mr.. Overstreet called up the amendment
shortly after the House convened and ex-
planned to the members just what the situ-
alton was. AS to the worth of the land
under consideration he said he had only the
word of those whom, he believed. knew the
value of the tract.
Representative Zenor continued to oppose
the amendment. and Representative Sims.
of Tennessee. took a hand. Mr.. Zenor gave
him an advertisement of land tending to
show that the government could get ground
lying adjacent to the proposed tract for $50
an acre. Mr.. Sims used this an argu-
ment.
Messrs. Miers, Griffith and Robinson were
somewhat embarrassed over the matter.
They felt the post would be a good thing
for the State and they did not want 10 be
disloyal to Indianapolis. o.. the other hand.
they did not want Mr.. Zenor to look upon
them as 'quitters." They hit upon happy
plan and asked Major Steele to help them
out. They proposed to him II he would
make a speech and give II as his opinion
that this land was worth the price asked
they would vote for the amendment The
major did so. and he and Mr. overstreet
showed that the low appraisement. men,
toned was made five or six years ago. before
the interurban lire went through that part
OF the country. Mr.. Overstreet was forti-
fed with kilograms from Indianapolis real
estate dealers, such the Central Trust
Company, I. N. Richie. James s. Cruise and
others. all declaring the price asked for the
land fair valuation.
About this time Representative Miers re-
ceived an answer to his telegram TO Gov
ernor Durbin in which the latter said he
thought the land worth from $50 to 500
an acre. w. L. Taylor wired that IL was
worth from $50 TO slco. and urged Mr..
Miers Ito stand by tho post" T. c. Day
& Co. thought the tract was worth 500
an acre, and 8. E. Morss was or the same
opinion. Representative Griffith also re-
ceived kilograms of this character.
Mr.. Steele, in lis remarks, gave the real
estate firm that has started this agitation
a dig by declaring that 1t probably caused
the advertisement Offering land at $50 an
acre circulated so it might use IL in the
way 1t was used to-day. Mr.. Steele classed
the frm as "squealers."
The Democratic members, while they did
not for an instant doubt the statements
made by Representative Overstreet. felt
the least bit piqued because he had not
consulted with them more regarding his
amendment. The $4,000 is practically
cured, however. and Mr.. Overstreet is feel
ing very good over his success with the
amendment.
The question of where the new naval
training station is to be located on the
great lakes is being agitatsd in Washing
ton. The assertion Is made tonight that
Chairman Foss of the House naval AFFAIRS
committee is ratified at the prospects which
face him on the floor OF the Ohio, Penn
sylvania and New York delegations. sup
porting the amendment to his naval appro-
priation bill for the location Of the naval
training station for the lakes on Lake Erie
instead of Lake Michigan. He Is alleged
to have said that should the New York and
Pennsylvania delegations join with Ohio In
supporting the proposed amendment ne
would himself move to strike from the
bill all provisions for the building pro-
those who know his feelings in the mat
ter that unless Mr.. Foss Is allowed TO Sc
cure unopposed the naval training station
for his own district he proposes 10 prevent,
IL possible the construction of any new
ships for the navy as far as this session
of Congress is concerned The chairman Is
said to believe that with tne large snip
sylvapia, whose yards expect 10 share in
the building OF the three new battleships
and one armored cruiser provided for In the
present bill. the delegations from these
States will not dare TO oppose him on the
training station proposition. However, IL Is
not believed that with the sentiment now
prevailing for stronger navy In the House
the members of that body would let Chair
man Foss or any one else Kill the ship
building programme. no matter how the
fight on the location OF the training station
might go.
A party OF Indiana people had a pleasant
visit at the White House this morning.
Among them were Representative and Mrs.
Brick, Mrs. Peter f. Studebaker. OF South
Bend. Mrs Francis +. Baker. OF Indian
apolis. and Miss Thomas. Of Goshen. Mrs.
Cobb. of Kalamazoo. who is here with Mrs
Studebaker, was in the party. Represent
atiye Brick introduced the women and the
President was i'm one OF his happy moods.
In presenting Mrs. Baker Mr.. Brick had I'm
mind the active campaign her husbands
friends made for his appointment as circuit
Judge I'm Indiana. and remarked 10 the
President: This is Mrs. Baker. you have
heard of Judge Francis L. Baker. no
doubt"
The President showed that he had. for
his face lighted up and he declared to
Mrs. Baker:
II must shake hands with you again.
Mrs Studebaker, who Is great admirer
OF President Roosevelt. thought 10 get
the Joke on him.