The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14
HEPBURN'S SPEECH
STIRRED UP STORM
Business Men and Property
Owners DiSapprOye 1t.
BENEFITS BALANCE DAMAGES
Scarcely an Instance Where Govern
ment Has Had to Pay Initial Cost
of Street Extensions.

Representative Hepburn remarks IN
the House last Monday, when the Kalo-
rama Avenue Extension bill was under
consideration, have aroused a mild
storm Of disapproval, not only on the
part of the real estate brokers but al
So among business men and PROPERTY
holders OF the community generally.
Tho consider his speech an uncalIed-for
attack on The present methods of mu-
nicipal administration IL matters of
street extension. and the 4cuuirement of
private property for Governmental uses
in the District
Mr.. HeDburn's sOlicituC fer the i'm
provement of the street surfaces within
what may be termed the old city linn
its. is most commerdable. and il is only
10 be regretted that "A sufficient num-
Der OF members of both houses do moi
share this feeling. and grant more gen-
erOus allotments for street improve
ment in accordance with the recon-
mendations so earnestly submitted by
the Commissioners from year TO year.
1t is not TO be expected that a Sen
ator or Representative. with his mani
fold public duties ana engrOsSment with
matters of national concern. can attain
that familiarity with tie needs of the
District which is possessed by the Com
missioners. whose special duty ii is to
look after such matters.
Conservative Recommendation.
Ia the judgment of wen-posted men
generally. the recommendation to Con-
gress. in matters of street extension
have been conservative. and many
project which. taken independently. ap-
pears worthy Of advancement. Is te-
diOusly delayed by them year after
year. while items OF greater urgency are
given consideration.
No intelligent man. acquainted with
the conditions as they exist. will ques-
ton the wisdom Of opening as rapidly
as practicable the land encircling the
city 10 the noTthward. and thus making
available for home building the most
advantageously situated ground within
the entire District.
The natural elevation Of this area not
only enhances its value for residence
purposes. but the cheaper land values.
ranging from 80 cents or less 10 $3.50
per square foot makes il possible for
the average Well-tO-dO person TO COM
mand a sufficient amount Of ground 10
give him real breathing space and prop
er light and ventilation. These consid-
eraJions have tended TO a very rapid de
Velopment OF the nearer suburbs. and IL
IS really astonishing how vigorously
newly Graded properties have been Inn
proved with high-cIass residences.
Has Relieved Congestion.
This addition OF building territory has
decidedly relieved the demand for build
ing space within the earlier city limits.
and has worked an important influence
in avoiding unsightly apartment houses
of cheaper construction. where people
would be housed in unnatural. and in
many instances. Unhealthful and unsani-
tary living conditions. with the conse-
uuent evils. both physical and moral. at
tendant upon such artificial congestion.
A most important fact, which has
apparently been quite overlooked by
Mr. Hepburn and other smbers of the
House who participated n the debate
on Monday last, is that in all the his
tory of local street extension there is
scarcely an instance where the dam
ages assessed and the benefits awarded
have not been so adjEdged by the jur-
les of condemnation as to cOunterbal-
ance each other, and thus burden the
expense Of opening these new highways
upon che property holders who are i'm
mediately profited thereby.
The assessment for street improve
ment is likewise regulated in the same
compensatory manner. nd practically
no initial burden is saddIed upon the
ment of its Capital City, and it's beau
tihcation in a manner commensurate
with the importance Of this great
country. The Improvement has been
along lines which will. without doubt.
secure the hearty approval Of every
pubhc-spirited citizen throughout the
United States.
Same Rule Elsewhere.
As TO the matter of condemnation Of
the property to private citizens for pub
lie uses, the considerations which have
governed in such matters are not at all |
different from those which attach TO
the acquisition of ground for United
states Government buildings anywhere
throughout the country. Mr.. Hepburn, |
some persons point out. fails to recog-
niZe the fact that the involuntary re-
linquishment of ones property inter
ests. when demanded by the Govern
ment for public use, fairly and Justly
entities the owner to more compensa-
tion than would be the case were all
of the persons interested in the owner
ship I'm any one particular square OF
ground willing and eager to dispose of
their holdings.
1t can hardly be assumed that this
happy condition Of things would exist
in any particular locality. and those
just when we view the matter in a
calm and dispassiOnate way. that the
man who is compelled 10 give up, for
example. his home. which he may have
occupied happily for many years. and
which is linked Oftentimes with asso-
Citations most dear to his memory,
should be allowed extra compensation
for this compulsory and involuntary
retirement from his property.
The same consideration applies with
even greater force to the man whose |
business may be located at a certain |
point. where IL commands patronage |
from the very fact of its location there |
and who is obliged TO move TO new |
quarters, often at "A considerable dis
lance from his former situation Many
instances are recorded in local history !
where this virtual ejectment has been |
absolutely ruinous TO the interests of !
parties concerned.
While Representative Hepburn's claim |
as 10 the imperfect condition Of street |
surfaces on Capitol Hin, and probably |
in other sections of the District is a |
substantially accurate one, and pre-
sents a condition which is we'll worthy |
the serious consideration of Congress !