The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1904-07-21
Senator J. v QuarIes Positively Re.
fuses to Sell His Property to
the Government.
SNYDER URGES CONDEMNATION
Senator States to Member of the Committee
That the Land Will Not Be offered
for Sale at Any Price.

The hopes of Kenosha securing the
much coveted naval station were
given hard setback on Monday when
the committee in charge of the negoti-
atoms with the government received a
formal statement from Senator J. V.
Quarles that he would not sell his
property to the north of the city to
the government under any circum-
stances. The senator is firm in his
position and absolutely refuses to
give the members Of the committee
any estimate on the value of the
property or to make a statement that
he, would sell it if this city should be
selected as site for the station.
The fact that the commission was
greatly pleased with the Kenosha site
is shown in the fact that the members
of the commission had communicated
with Clarence Snyder and had asked
him to furnish them with estimates of
the value Of the property in the site
proposed in Kenosha. This request
brought about the investigation which
showed that the Quar1es property
would not be placed on the market.
This action of Senator Ouar1es will
practically leave Kenosha out Of the
race for the station as it will be i'm
possible for Kenosha to give the sort
of a site desired without the use of at
least portion of the Quar1es farm.
It is alleged that year ago Senator
Quarles offered to put this land in to
the government at very reasonable
rate, but it seems that he has since
changed his mind. In communicate
this change of heart to the members
of the commission Mr.. Snyder made
the suggestion that should the land
prove suitable to the commission the
government should take some steps to
condemn it.
The letter of Mr.. Snyder to the COM
mission, which is self explanatory, is
given as follows:
RACINE, Wis, July Is, 1904.
Dear Referring to yours of the
18th inst, hand you herewith copy
of proposal submitted to the former
board, of which Rear Admiral Taylor
was chairman.
We find today that we are unable to
make you the same offer now as that
contained herein, for. the reason that
Senator Quar1es declines to give us an
option on his land at any price, say
ing that he will not sell.
The remaining pieces of land, con-
shutting the site shown you yester-
day, can be obtained at the prices
stated.
We think these prices too high, and
suggest that if you find the entire site
(ineluding Quar1es' land more desir-
able than any other location that has
been or will be exhibited to you, which
we are justified in experimenting, you
refer the subject back to the president
with the recommendation that he ask
congress to authorize condemnation
of said property for the naval training
station. We believe you will thus be
able to acquire the property, inc1ud-
ing the entire Quar1es tract of 60acres
-291 acres in a1l-at an average price
not exceeding $3.50 per acre.
This suggestion is made on the
assumption that under the present
law there does not inhere the right of
condemnation.
I would respectfully refer you to
the several communications on this
subject on file with the former board,
to which suppose you have access.
We conscientious1y believe that the
unique location we have shown you
possesses advantages which in every
important respect are far superior to
those of any other site that has been
or will be offered.