The Washington times., 1904-08-31
STREET GRADING
DAMAGE AWARDS
Work of AppraiSement Will
Begin in January.
COMMISSION TO FIX AMOUNT
Appointments Not Yet Made-To Rec
tify Old-Time Abuses
of Power.
COMMISSION TO FIX AMOUNT

Numerous applications for information
on the subject at the District Building
have ELECTED the explanation that il will
probably be the middle OF next January
before the commission authorized by
Congress to appraise the damages 70
property by the changes Of grade in
streets and alleys in connection with the
new Union Station improvements will
begin its work of appraisement.
The act of Congress providing for
the commission says the District Com
missioners shall apply 10 the courts for
its appointment within sixty days af-
ter the completion Of the grading of
any one of the streets or alleys OF ave
nues affected by the station work.
While some work has been done on
several OF the streets and alleys whose
grades viii be lowered, It is not thought
that such work will be completed on
any one of them before October or No
vember.
Notice of Awards.
After the appointment of the commits
sion. It's members shall give thirty days
notice OF its purpose to award the dam
ages. Thirty days more will be allowed
the owners Of the property affected to
make application to the commission for
a share IN the damage money.
In connection with the appointment Of
this commission. two notable facts have
come TO light One IS that this viii be
the first time that either Congress or
the District Commissioners thought il
suitable to allow to property owners in
the District compensation for dana yes
10 property as the result Of changes IN
the grade OF streets and alleys.
The other Is that while the members
fua s,g
damages in the square obtained for the
House OF Representatives Office build
ing got 5000 each, or about $40 per
day each, Tor the Job, the commission
ers who viii appraise the Union Station
damages viii get only s. per day.
Old Losses.
Up to the time of the passage of this
particular act Of Congress. the Dis
trict Commissioners were able 70 reduce
the grade Of any avenue or street
thirty feet. If they so desired. oblig-
ing the residents to bring their houses
down TO the changed grade, and the
compensation the citizens got was the
pleasure Of altering the location Of their
buildings.
II the reduction of grade caused a
house 10 be damaged. # was all the
Same-nO money from the District as
compensation for the loss and trouble
OccastOned the owner. Now there IS
no general law covering the award of
damages for grade reductions. This par
uCular act OF Congress IS only a pass
ing exception 10 the still prevalent rule.
Remedy Probable.
Il is thought that some action ought 10
be taken to remedy such q condition OF
affairs. II is argued that. II Congress
saw the Justice of allowing damages for
the grade changes in connection with
the station work, ii could also be brought
TO see the reason for general legisIa-
ton on the matter In the District
The fact that the members OF the
House of Representatives Office site
commission got $40 per day each for
their services. while the commissioners
on damages in connection with the sta
ticn changes Will get only So per day
each is explained by the consideration
that the station commissioners had their
compensation fixed by Congress, while
the Office site commissioners had theirs
determined by the District Supreme
Court.
The court. II Is pointed out, knows the
great difficulty Of such appraisements
and hNeS the compensation 50 high that
the best men viii undertake the work
Congress, for instance. paid the an
praisers Of damages on the Library OF
Congress site only So day. Such a policy.
say business men Of the city, IS a mis-
take.