Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-27
DECIDED TO MR. BIEBER
ALL RIGHT AND INTEREST IN
SQUARE 1881.
History Of the Legislation That Made
Been Washed Upeby Tides.

A deed was placed on record today IN the
office of the recorder of deeds in which the
United States government conveys to Mr..
Sidney Bieber, the District fire marshal,
all the right, title and interest of the United
States in square 1131. The land consists
of frontage of 2O6 feet on H street be-
tween Goth and 21st streets southeast and
extending south to the Eastern branch.
The filing of the deed today marks the
conclusion of congressional legislation inau-
gurated in October 1899. At that time
Mr.. Bieber sought to clear his title to the
land of a cloud interposed by the interest of
the United states. In the past the ground
has been largely covered by water. The
tide, however. Is rapidly receding and the
land is being made permanent by accreton.
Mr.. Bieber had for several years held
abstract of title from the District of Column
bia, but when the record was searched 1t
was found that the true title to the land
was vested In the United States govern
ment. The land was known officially as
the square south Of square 1130 and did not
appear on the maps of the city. In order
that the government might quite claim Its
interest in the land it was necessary that
special legislation should be secured.
Accomplished by Legislation.
Mr.. Bieber set about to accomplish this
end and finally succeeded during the last
session of Congress. The purpose of the
legislation was two-fold First, to remove
from the title to square 1131 any cloud
which might exist by reason Of an interest
the United States claimed in the same, and,
second. to correct the records Of the War
department so that square 1131 will ap-
pear on the official records and map of the
city of Washington
A bill was introduced in both House and
Senate during the session Of the Fifty
seventh Congress and referred to the Dis
trict Commissioners for report The bill
authorized the Secretary of War to convey
tne lana 10 Mr.. Bieber upon payment by
him into the treasury of the United States
such sum of money as the Secretary, upon
consideration Of all the circumstances,
should determine proper
The Commissioners submitted an adverse
report on the bill. They called attention to
the fact that the land lies within the area
OF proposed Anacostia river improvements,
and recommended that the United States
retain whatever interests it might have in
the square. Attention was also invited to
the fact that the plan of the park commits
sion makes II street, the northern boundary
or the square in question, the northern
boundary of it's system, which, If carried
out, would throw this square into the park
system. In view of these future improve
ments, the Commissioners deemed it ad-
visable that the United States retain its
rights In the square.
The sessions Of the Fifty-seventh Con-
gress were concluded without any action on
the bill. New bills were introduced last
winter, and favorable reports submitted by
both House and Senate committees on the
District of Columbia. Favorable reports
were also received from the various bureaus
of the War Department. The bill passed
the House January IS last, and a few weeks
later was passed by the Senate.
Signed by Acting Secretary of War.
Mr.. Bieber next took the matter up with
the Secretary of War and came to an agree
ment with him. The deed placed on record
today is signed by Robert Shaw Oliver, act
ing secretary.
The conveying of the land to Mr. Bieber
marks the close of an interesting episode in
District real estate. The square seems to
have been washed up by the tides. 1t does
not appear on any of the early maps of
Washington. In 1852, however, the land
was so apparent that 1t was listed for taxa
ton by the District authorities and the
taxes have been paid on it since that time.
1t was through the issuance Of tax deeds
that the Districts title was conveyed. The
first transfer of record was made when Jo-
seph Mccormick decided the land to Mary
f. Sweetser. This was in 1853. 1t was
many years later when the District title
passed into the hands of Mr.. Bieber.