The Washington times., 1904-01-31
NEW WHITE HOUSE
IN THE SUBURBS?
FOralzer's Bill Would Make
1t Possible.
TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR PARK
Property in Question Lies on Sixteenth
Street Hill, Opposite Boun-
dary Castle.

The lonK-discussed project of having
new White House exclusively for the
private residence OF the mead OF the ma
tion In some suburban locality has
again reached a state Of temporary ac-
tivity. and IS brought TO public notice
BY a bill introduced In the Senate by Mr..
Foraker On his motion 1t was referred
TO the Senate District Committee, and
late yesterday afternoon was forwarded
to the District Commissioners for con-
sideration and report.
The bill does not definitely define the
ultimate purpose intended, expressing In
its title only that il is ito acquire Ger
tain ground in Hall & Elvan's subdi-
vision OF Meridian Hill for a Govern
ment reservation" This Will enable the
Government to hold the property as a
public park or for any other use, until
some other disposition is to be made of
IT.
Near Boundary Castle"
The property is the entire parcel of
land on the Sixteenth Street hill, oppo-
site the residence ofeX-Senator and Mrs.
John b. Henderson, whose home Is
well known as Boundary Castle" The
/ plot desired comprises all the land in
/ cluded between Erie Street, Columbia
Avenue or Fifteenth Street, w Street
or Florida Avenue. and Sixteenth Street
| extended containing about 4S7, ,OOC
square feet. A sum not exceeding $780,
/ 900 is appropriated by the bill. and in
case the parcels of ground cannot be
obtained by purchase at a price salts
factory TO the Secretary Of the Interior
condemnation proceedings are author
lied in the following manner:
the Secretary of the Interior. is en-
powered to make applies ton 10 tn,
| Supreme Court of the District Of Co
lumbia, by petition at a general or spe-
cial term Of court. for an assessment OF
the value OF the ground, giving a partic-
ular description OF the property re-
quired. with the name OF the owners
and their place of residence, as far as
can be ascertained. The court is there
upon authorized upon such application
| without delay, to notify the owners and
| occupants OF each parcel Of land and
to ascertain and assess its value Three
| commissioners TO be appointed by the
courts. are to appraise values and TO re.
| turn the assessment TO the court II the
| Secretary of the Interior deems them
reasonable. the sums so ascertained are
| 10 be paid into court for their use The
fee simple Of such premises appropriated
in this manner for public use. and tbs
rights OF possession, shall then be vest.
ed fully in the United States
May Demand Possession.
The court Is given power to direct the
time and manner in which possession OF
the property condemned shall be taken
or delivered, and may. If necessary, en-
force any order. or issue any process
for giving possession. The cost oc-
( casioned by the inquiry and assessment
shall be paid by the United States. and
as 10 other costs which may arise. the
court is TO determine how they shall bt
charged or taxed.
As soon as title 10 any parcel Is
acquired. and the sufficiency thereof
certified BY the Attorney General, the
Secretary OF the Treasury is authorized
upon requisition of the Secretary Of ths
| Interior. 70 pay into court the con
demnation price of the property, parce
/ by parcel
| While no mention Is made in the bill
Of the ultimate use of the land 70 b,
acquired. II is said on good authority
that the supporters OF the new White
House idea heartily approve of this ac
/ ton as a step toward the consumma
ton of the p,an. They recognize tn
impossibility OF securing any final ac
ton on matters Of this sort except b,
persistent effort and slow but stead,
progress