Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-15
; AN ADVERSE REPORT
PARK SITE NOT FAVORED BY
COMMISSIONERS.
Land Proposed Believed to Be Held
at Too High
Price,

The Commissioners otoday forwarded TO
Congress their report on the bill for estab-
fishing public park atsLangdon. The ac-
ton OF the Commissioners in regard to this
subject of legislation was anticipated In
The Star several days ago. 1t was at that
time stated that the price asked for the
land mentioned in the bill. 100000 square
feet. was $4,000 and Commissioner West
recommended that Congress be informed
that the land is assessed at about cents
per square foot. that being the value placed
upon the land by the owner In letters to
the District assessor Mr.. West suggested
that. according to the records Of the as
SCISSORS Office and the owners statements.
the price asked for the land in the bill
was ten times greater than IT'S value
In giving out the Commissioners report
on the bill today, Commissioner Macfar-
land said:
1.-The Commissioners did not recommend
the passage Of the bill nor the purchase Of
the tract in question. They have recon-
mended. on the contrary, in this as in all
such cases, that tract should be selected
and purchase made under a large general
appropriation which will enable the Com
missioners to select the best park lands
available. In this particular case the Com
missioners mentioned in their report to the
sites. and especially the Fort Thayer site,
recommended by the Senate park commits
sion, as well as that proposed in the bill.
Values Discussed.
'As to the latter, they stated what is the
fact. as evidence In their possession shows,
that property in its vicinity had sold in lots
for the price per foot at which this tract
was being offered, although the assessment
was much lower. The assessment Is in
tended in city property to be two-thirds Of
the market value. In the case of suburban
property 1t is often much less than this.
The true value is probably to be found be-
tween the assessed value and the highest
market price which has been actually PAID
The appraisal put upon the property by MS
owner for assessment purposes may not
represent the actual value and is suggestive
and not conclusive as to 1t"
The report Of the Commissioners, with
reference to the bill is, in part, as fol-
lows:
THE amount proposed by the bill to pur
chase this land is $4,000. There have been
lots sold in this vicinity for that price,
which is about 20 cents per square foot, but
the assessed value of the land is very
much less. being only 2 cents per square
foot. 1t is probable that the real value is
somwhere between the two.
Small Parks Desirable.
There can be no question OF the value OF
establishing small parks in the various sub
urbs surrounding the city of Washington,
before the value of the land becomes too
great, and the Commissioners are in favor
Of the purchase of such parks by the
United States. They are, however, of the
opinion that 1t would be better to authorize
a general fund for the purchase of parks
and then allow the choice of such Ioca-
tons as may be acceptable, to be obtained
at the most advantageous price. In this
way it Is thought that considerable econ
omy can be secured, while if appropriations
are made for certain definite pieces of land
for parks, such good terms could not be
obtained.
This is the case of the proposed park in
Langdon While this piece of property is
very will suited for park purposes and has
beautiful trees there are other pieces IN
the vicinity which are also suitable: for
instance, Fort Thayers within four or five
blocks OF the proposed park and which has
been recommended by the Senate park COM
mission"