Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-11
REGARDED AS UNJUST
CRITICISM OF AWARD IN AVENUE
EXTENSION CASE.
Mr.. Thomas G. Hensey Addresses Com
missioners, Discussing Their Ac-
ton on Relief Bill.

Thomas G. Hensey has written letter
to the Commissioners saying he cannot be-
neve that they are disposed to withhold APP
prevail of a bill that was constructed in
the District building 'for the purpose OF
rectifying an act of Congress. which. in Its
operation. amounts to the confiscation OF
the land of over fifty persons. the most OF
whom are residents of the Ditrict Of Co
lumbia." Mr.. Hensey says he believes the
Commissioners would not have reported adj
versely on House bill 1725S introduced at
the last session of Congress, If they had
given him hearing, notwithstanding the
adverse report made by a clerk in the en-
gineer department.
The bill in question was in regard to as
sessments for the extension of Rhode Is
land avenue. 1t provided that in the case
of assessments for benefits levied for the
extension of Rhode Island avenue from
Florida avenue to LIE Droit avenue, by au-
thority Of the act of February 10, 1870.
whenever written petition shall be filed In
the District Supreme Court by any person
interested. the court shall refer the matter
to the board Of equalization and review of
the tax department Of the District Of Co.
lumbia. The board is authorized to hear
such evidence as may be adduced before it
and to revise eoualize. fix and adjust such
assessments by reducing or increasing the
same as 1t may find to be just and
proper. so as to make the assessments con-
form to the actual benefits received.
Mr. Hensey claims that the assessments
levied by the jury for the extension of
Rhode Island avenue were unjust "the
jury being composed Of inexperienced men,
not real estate man among them"
The Property Involved.
There were only two blocks" he says,
through which Rhode Island avenue was
to be extended, blocks 0 and IL. Block 8
was owned by the Mcclellan heirs and
cost them nothing, by reason of its large
area and small street frontage, and could
not be subdivided easily, while block IL was
in three separate holdings, which I repre-
sent. The Mcclellan heirs received Is cents
foot more for their land, which excess
was nearly enough to pay the assessments
for benefits and leave a net balance equal
to the gross amount allowed u.s. No won
der they paid the assessment Of $1O913
which was the excess Of % cents q foot
which they received over that paid for land
of greater value. The owners who escaped
assessment entirely were the ones mostly
benefited.
THE streets Of Washington are owned by
the United States and are under the control
OF an army officer and not the people, there
fore the United States ought to pay one
half at least, If not ALL but in any event no
special assessment should be made Qf 1t is
all to be paid by the people of the District
all should share alike), although those I
represent are willing to pay an equitable as
sessment; but I deny that confiscation is
equity"
Mr.. Hensey criticises sharply the Commits
sioners' adverse report on the bill and gives
twelve reasons why they should favor it.
In conclusion he says:
Il see no reason why the Commissioners
should refuse to approve a bill that will
accord justice to an inhabitant of the Dis
trict of Columbia; but on the contrary I
see every reason why they should render
Justice to the unfortunate taxpayers who
are powerless to help themselves"
The Commissioners have noted the COM
munication.