Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-20
occasions SURPRISE
EProposed Retrocession of Land
to Howard University
DESTROYS FINE PARK
TRACT OF II ACRES VALUED AT
100000.
Amendment to Sundry Civil Bill Offer
ed by Senator Allison-Comnais-
sioners Decline Comment.

The amendment to the sundry civil bill
offered by Senator Allison on the floor or
the Senate yesterday afternoon providing
for the retrocessiOn to Howard University
or the eleven-acre tract of land bounded py
9Th. 4th, Pomeroy and College streets. TO
be used as a site for the proposed new
Freedmens Hospital has attracted great
deal Of attention from residents OF the
District today The amendment in effect,
If finally enacted INTO law, will, 1t Is stat
cd destroy for public use one of the most
desirable, necessary and conveniently-sit-
uated public parks in the District and the
proposition is received with great disfavor
by the citizens of the national capital, and
Particularly by those who have been es-
pecIalIy interested in having established
here "A sufficient number of public parks.
Senator Alisons amendment 1t is stat
ed, came a great surprise to the people
Of tie District and 1t is known that the
District officials have had no intimation
that such legislation would be proposed.
The matter ras not been proposed In any
bill or resolution before Congress. nor, 1t
IL stated, has it been proposed by any
congressional committee. The presenia-
tion of the amendment on the floor of the
Senste therefore, occasioned considerable
surprise.
When asked about the matter today the
Commissioners stated that they had not
been aware o. the proposition to retrocede
the present park to Howard University, and
that the proposition first came to their
knowledge from the reports of the proceed
Ipgs in the Senate yesterday. as published
81 the Congressional Record. The Commits
btonerS declined to make any comment re-
ietive to the matter.
1t il known however. that the District
authorities have continually favored the es
te adjustment of public parks In the District,
although they have been prevented from
recommending the passage of bills. provd-
iEg for the purchase of new reservations be
cause of the conditions of the District
finances. From their attitude with respect to
the general subject of parks, it can be in
ferred that the Commissioners would re-
greet any legislation that would reduce the
number of parks in the District and that II
tie proposition had been referred to them
for report they would have reported ad-
versely upon 1t.
Owned by United States.
The eleven-acre tract Of land, which SEN
Gtor Allison proposes to grant back to
Howard University, is owned wholly by the
United States government. Nevertheless the
citizens of the District are greatly in favor
OF keeping 1T reserved a public park.
Prior to June, 1882 the tract was owned
ny ilpWdru University, out June 10 Oh tnat
year the land was transferred to the United
States in payment of taxes against the in
stitution and the plot of ground. 1t was then
set aside as public park. The act OF June,
1852. for the relief of Howard University,
anu by which the eleven-acre tract of
ground transferred to the United
States, is as follows:
"W hereas. the Howard University Is an
educational institution Incorporated by act
of Congress. the grounds and buildings Of
which were obtained, under the authority
of TIE United States, with funds appropriate
ed by Congress; and
Whereas. the said university, in consider
etiou of the provisions of this act proposes
to convey by sufficient deed to the United
States the parcel or square of ground
bounded by Pomeroy street, Fourth-and-a-
half street, College street and 9Th street,
known as University Park, containing about
eleven acres, to be used as public park
under the superintendence of the United
State. provided that whenever the same
shall lease to be used as public park the
tide thereto shall revert to the Howard
University; therefore,
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
America In Congress assembled, that the
conveyance of the premises described in the
preamble to this act, in the manner and
upon the terms and consideration therein
mentioned. be. and is hereby, accepted by
the United States
sec 2. That all taxes. penalties interest
erty nf the Howard University due or to
become due, and unpaid at the date of the
passage of this act, be. and the same are
hereby. remitted.
'Sec. 3. That the property, real and per-
sonal. of the said university shall be ex-
empt from taxation so long as such prop
erty shall be used only for the purposes
set forth In the charter of said institution:
Provided, that nothing In this act shall
exempt any real estate OF said university
from assessment and liability for special
improvements authorized by law: Provided
also. that this act shall not include any
real estate sold or contracted to be sold
by said university to any other person than
the United States. the title to which may
be still In the said university"
Valued at 100000.
The plot of ground. 1t is estimated, is
worth about 100000. 1t is located in
sect:oE of the city that. IT is considered.
greatly needs park privileges. The tract
is p1rtly covered with splendid growth
OF fire trees and the ground is considered
as In all ways excellently adapted to the
uses Of the residents OF the neighborhood
"a public reservation.
The amendment offered by Senator AL
Hson and which was agreed TO by the SEN
ate reads as follows:
Freeimen's Hospital: The appropriation
of $4,000 made by the sundry civil appro-
priatior act for the fiscal year 1904 is here
by continued for the fiscal year 1905: pro-
yidcd. That the tract of land lying and be-
ing between 9th and 4th streets and be-
tween Pomeroy and College streets in the
CITY or Washington. ID. C. containing ap-
proNinately II acres OF ground be, and
the same Is hereby. retroceded to Howard
University. upon the condition that the
salc howard University shall make and
execute TO the United States a perpetual
lease Tor the nominal rental of 81 per an
mum. and that upon the execution of such
Iease to the satisfaction OF the Secretary
OF tEA Interior. said Secretary shall cause
70 d., erected on the ground so retroceded
ana 'ased the new hospital for freedmen
ttioN'1ed FOR by the act above referred