Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-15
Courts Action in Union Sta
tion Proceedings
TO ASSESS DAMAGES
PROPERTY AFFECTED BY CHANGE
IN STREET GRADES.
substitution Of Mr.. Spransy for Mr..
Walter a Recognition Of Rights
Of Owners.

Justice Barnard OF the Supreme Court of
| the District of Columbia today appointed
Messrs. George w. Moss. Charles A. Baker
and George Spransy the commission to ap-
praise the damages resulting to owners of
property affected by changes In the grade
OF streets. avenues and alleys In connec-
ton with the construction Of tho new union
railroad station.
The court the first instan, appointed
Messrs, Moss. Baker and John H Walter
members of the commission. The order
OF the first instant however was set
aside last Thursday after two hearings
had been held to consider objections filed
by the property owners Interested Tho
points were raised that the applica ton for
the appointment of the commission had
not been signed by all three of the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia, and
that the property owners were not given
notice OF the application of the District
Commissioners and had no opportunity to
object to the appointment of the proposed
members OF the commission. In setting
aside the order OF August l. Justice Bar
nard granted leave to the District Com.
misioners to amend their applica ton so that
all three of them could sign the same notice
OF the filing of the application and OF the
intention to appoint commission.
Property Owners Recognized.
In naming the commission today Justice
Barnard substituted Mr.. Spransy OF SU7
New Jersey avenue for Mr.. John H Wal
ter. who was named a member of the com
mission In the order signed the LIST instant
1t Is understood that the change was
made in recognition OF the rights of the
property owners interested, who contended
that they should have representation on the
commission The name OF Mr.. Spransy
headed the list of persons regarded as suit
able for appointment on the commission,
suggested to the court yesterday by Attor-
ney J. ]. Darlington.
Mr.. George w. Moss Is a business man OF
prominence. and is the local representative
OF several steamship lines For many years
he served as the Washington agent of one
OF the big express companies. Mr. Charles
A. Baker is also prominent citizen He Is
In the banking business. Both Mr. Moss and
Mr.. Baker are considered to be highly Quail
med to discharge the duties imposed upon
them by Justice Barnard. They have fire.
queHtly served as appraisers in street and
other condemnation cases and are regarded
as experts on realty values in the District
Mr.. George Spransy has been successful
merchant for many years. and is believed
to be thoroughly well equipped to serve as
member of the commission.
Method Of Procedure.
After organizing the commission will give
the thirty days notice prescribed by act of
congress. notifying persons interested OF
the time and place fixed for the first meet
ing. The hearings of the commission will
occur at the city hall. The taking of tes-
timony will not be commenced prior to fall,
as the aowners of property alleged to have
been damaged will be allowed sixty days
within which to file their claims
The commission was appointed under the
law providing for the payment of the dam
ages to the real estate around the union
station on account of changes in the grade
OF streets. The act, which was approved
April % 1904, is entitled IAN act to pro-
vide for the payment of damages on ac-
count of changes of grade due to construc-
ton of the union station. District OF Co.
lumbia"