Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-01
Courts Action in Matter Of
Union Station Site.
TO ASSESS DAMAGES
PROPERTY WORTH OVER ONE
MILLION DOLLARS.
One Thousand Claimants Interested
Action Taken as Required by
Act Of Congress

Justice Barnard today signed order
appointing a commission. to consist of Geo.
w. Moss. Charles A Baker and John II
Walter to appraise the damages resulting
from the changes In the grades of streets.
avenues and alleys that were made neces-
sary by the erection of the new union a
ton. This is the first step toward the set
Element OF the claims that have been made
against the District involving a million
dollars worth of property and affecting
over 1850 ella INFANTS.
The appointment of the commission was
made this afternoon by Justice Barnard on
the motion of Mr.. a. Leftwich Sinclair, re-
Gently appointed special counsel of the Dis
trict Commissioners for the express purpose
of settling these claims. The petition for
the appointment OF the commission was pre-
sented in the name of the District Commits
sioners. and sets forth that the grading OF
certain streets and alloys having been com
pleted, they, in accordance with the law.
spectfully request the court to select the
necessary board of commissioners TO assess-
damages and make awards, In accordance
with the act of Congress authorizing the
construction OF the union station.
The Commissioners are required TO make
application to the court within sixty days
after the completion of the grading or the
streets along which damages are 10 be ad-
judged. 1t is stated in the petition that the
grading OF the minor street and alleys IN
square I4S the grading OF l. street between
1s- and Sd streets northeast: Florida ave
nue. between I'd and 9Th streets northeast,
street between LIST and North Capitol
streets northeast: the alleys in square Ii9
and I'd. * and l. streets. surrounding tho
square.
Provision of Act of Congress.
The act of Congress providing for tho
payment of damages resulting to property
from changes In the grade OF streets de-
clares that the members of the commission
appointed by the court shall be sworn for
the faithful and impartial performance OF
their duties. and shall thereupon meet and
view the property affected by such changa
of grade and hear testimony in the matter
of such damages. after giving thirty days
public notice by advertisement in three
daily newspapers published In the city of
Washington OF the time and place of meet
ing for said purpose.
The act further provides that the owner
of any real property damaged by the said
change OF grade shall have the right with
in sixty days after the date fixed for the
meeting of said commission to file peti-
ton with said commission. which shall bo
signed and sworn to, for an allowance of
damages. and uupon the failure OF any
such owner to thus present his claim with
In said period his said right shall cease and
determine
The first meeting of the commission will
be held within the next week or ten days,
when decision Will be reached as to when
and where subsequent meetings and hear
fnSs will be held. As soon this has been
decided upon announcement will be, made
and due, notice will be given claimants to
present their claims, set forth in the
act Of Congress that has been quoted.
Personnel Of the Commission
The members of the commission are all
prominent business men of the District and
are considered by the Commissioners to be
well qualified to discharge the important
duties imposed upon them.
All Of them have served on street and
other condemnation juries and commits
sions. Mr. George w. Moss is a we'll
known business man and is the local agent
for various foreign steamship lines. He
was formerly the local agent OF the Adams
Express Co. Mr.. Charles A. Baker Is in
the banking and brokerage business. Mr..
John H. Walter is president of the Wash
ington Real Estate Company and is CON
sidered an authority on real property
values.
Mr.. A. Leftwich Sinclair special counsel
for the District, Will represent the District
at all Of the hearings. He was appointed To
this position over two months ago and has
been at work ever since making such in
yestigations as are necessary to put him I'm
possession of facts the District will be
quired to know during the course of the
hearings. Mr.. l.. P. Bradshaw of the Of
flee of the Engineer Commissioner of the
District has been detailed to assist Mr..
Sinclair.
The hearings before the commission will
probably be commenced in the fall.