Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-09
REALTY DEALERS VIEW
REPLIES TO MR.. HEPBURN'S CRI-
TICIsM OF DISTRICT METHODS.

Mr.. Louis p. Shoemaker, a real estate
dealer in the District, is pleased over the
interest that Representative Hepburn OF
Iowa has exhibited in the condition of the
streets of the city, but he does not believe
Mr.. Hepburns criticisms of the Districts
part in city Improvement are altogether
well founded
II am gratified to learn said Mr.. Shoe
maker to a Star reporter, that Represen-
alive Hepburn has observed the condition
of some of our streets. 1t shows an interest
on his part as a national legislator in the
District of Columbia over which Congress
has exclusive jurisdiction. l hope for this
continued interest on his part. l am sure
he will find ample cause for judicious action
on the part of Congress with reference 10
the District of Columbia. Cause or com
plant. however, would undoubtedly be re
moved if, upon invests cation, he could ar
rive at the conclusion that the recomneH-
dations of the Commissioners containing
annually description of the real needs OF
our community are ample and that these
requests should be granted because TIE
Commissioners thoroughly familiar
with the necessities of and In touch with
the affairs of our people
He will find that not only the Commls-
sioners of the District, but the press OF the
city, the prominent men of our community
|
including the Business Mems Association
and the Board of Trade, have for years
pleaded with Congress for a long-term ioah'
from the proceeds of which extraordinary
Improvements could be made, so that cur
rent revenues, which are more than amply
sufficient. could be used for current I'M
provements.
Would Have Been Gratifying.
Had this desire on the part of our peo-
pie been gratifed several years ago, in
creased taxation which now exists, would
not be necessary and 3 street, of which he
complains together with hundreds of other
much-needed local and minor improve
ments, would long ago have been made II
is safe also to say that if this course hao
been pursued every department of the DIS
trict government would not be lnSuincieh'
as they now are
School teachers would be sufficient in
number and adequately compensated; the
same can be said of the police, Of the ire
men and the streets and rOadWays, when
are so much needed for the development of
the city would be in existence and in good
repair
WAY Mr.. Hepburn should unfavorably
reflect upon CritiCise the people OF the
District of Columbia for the price PAID
by the government for land recently pur-
chased east of the Capitol for national
purposes, is more than | can understand.
The supposition is that the government
acquired it in the legal and regular way
under condemnation proceedings after the
hearing of much testimony, and 1t was ably
represented by counsel and every effort
was made to buy it at the very lowest
price possible. Therefore, what our peo-
pie had to do with the price paid seems
TO me to be very remote. So far as we
are concerned, the government was under
no obligation to acquire it at the price paid
or at any othr price.
Regarded as Ancient History.
n
Rock Creek Park is almost ancient history.
l have never heard before even an inti-
nation that too much was paid for that
land; in fact, 1 happen to know that it
was acquired at a very reasonable price,
and the testimony of thousands who are
familiar with values could be obtained to-
day to prove that the land contained in
Rock Creek Park is actually worth twice
what 1t cost the government. In fact, 1t
will be observed that so far as the United
States government is concerned, it only
paid half the cost of acquisition of the land
necessary for Rock Creek Park, although
Congress declared in the act that it shall
pe7a national park and a pleasure ground
for the benefit of the people of the United
States. | know of no national park estab
lished anywhere else throughout this coun-
try by the government except wholly at
the cost of the United States.
1T would seem, therefore. that unless
the people of other jurisdictions are TO be
Ci!ai Seu LoI HAIL tHt cost OF national I'M
prOvement-and the language Of the act
declares this park to be a national I'M
government-that the people of the District
of Columbia have a much greater cause
of complaint than Mr.. Hepburn has, speak
ing in the interest of the general govern
ment.
In making these comments I do not
wish to be understood as rejecting in any
way unfaVorably upon our representa- tive.
He is man of great national reputation
and ability and his patriotism and pride
Of the country extends TO its national ca pi-
tai city, in which he is now and has al
ways been deeply interested, and we rely
upon him TO advance not only its welfare
but its Identification and adornment in
every way possible