The Washington times., 1906-04-08

a SANdh MAJ knllSS ol lhtSESSN 80
tive to real es .ate in the northwest sec
tion of the District were developed re-
Gently at the hearing before the Senate
District Committee in connection with
the proposed acquisition of land for an
addition 70 Rock Greek Park and Tor
Government reservation
The price of real estate in that sec
tion in past years and at the present
time was fully explained TO the mem
bers of the committee by Charles G.
Glover. Gen. John NJ. Wilson, presi-
dent of the Washington Board of
Trade; Mrs. ]. 4. Henderson. r. II.
Goldsborough. and others, who are
thoroughly qualified to speak on the
subject
Senator Carter made a bitter attack
on what he termed land pirates" He
advised that the Government fix
maximum price which 1t would pay for
the land TO be acquired. and to pay no
more. He also advised the putting on
of the lid on this appraisement busi-
ness" as he termed il and contended
that those who are benefited by the
proposed improvements should pay for
the benefits which would accrue to
them.
Two bills are pending in Congress
relative to the purchase OF the two
tracts OF land one Of which contains
very nearly 100 acres. and the other
about 437,OOO square feet.
Early Days of Rock Creek.
Mr.. Glover. who. for many years. has
looked forward TO the time when the
Government would procure the land first
named for a national park, gave the
committee valuable information on the
subject. AS early as $780, he said, he
had often ridden through that section
in company with the historian, George
Bancroft, and then he made up his
mind that when he would see magnificent
trees cut down 20 make way for "some
wretched little subdivision ne deter
mined TO make an effort to secure the
ground for a national park.
He next discussed the purchase of
Rock Creek Park, and the establishment
of Geological Park The discussion Of
these matters. he said, brought specu-
lators into the field for the purchase Of
ground where Sheridan Circle now
stands. That land. he said, could then
have been purchased for 81 900 an acre
from Florida avenue TO Rock Creek. In
fact. some of It could be purchased for
$500 an acre. while now il is selling for
from $4,000 10 $2O0. 900 an acre to within
four blocks of the property now offered
for $1,000 an acre.
Continuing, Mr.. Glover said:
The object is 10 bring this park,
which now requires, in order TO reach
il, carriage or an automobile, right
down to the very doors of the city. and
also to protect Rock Creek from the
possibility of being made public sewer.
II. lA k.T - III
around the observatory grounds, and
protects the delicate instruments, etc, in
use there from the possibility of injury
growing out of manufacturing enter,
prises being built there. They have been
very solicitous about keeping street rail-
roads as far away as possible for like
reasons.
Hclds Option on Many Acres.
For eiSbty-eight acres of this ground
belonging to the Thompson syndicate,
have an option of 5000 an acre: for
eight and one-half acres, belonging 10
the Waggaman syndicate, I have also
an option of $1,000 an acre, and this little
tract in here lindicatingl belongs to Mr..
Jackson, OF Maryland, and others. II is
largely improved. They have spent IS 900
or $1,000 in grading it. They have also
given the whole Of the avenue through
it on both sides. In addition TO that they
gave $4,000 TO raise the Massachusetts
avenue causeway fifteen feet. 1 loaned
the money with which to do it, and 1
have a mortgage today on the property
They have given me this option at
a low price because they believe 1t will
greatly improve the balance of their
7 uiSh 10 Sboxx N-os, bat fbara
is no outside interest to be served in
any possible way The people who are
selling the property are absolutely the
people who own it. On the north side
it is bound by the Waggaman syndicate
on the east did own 1000 feet front
I dedicated that to the Government for
the purpose of bringing Rock Creek
Park down to the avenue on that side
of the creek The Government owns
all that property there. On the south
it is bounded by this tract marked
William E. Edmonston' and by the
Naval Observatory. 60 there is alb
soluteIy no interest, except the two or
three interests from whom we purchas-
cd this ground, TO be benefited thereby
Prices Asked Not Excessive.
Il wish to say that 1 do not think
the Government could make a better
purchase. In speaking with Mr.. Cannon
and Mr.. Tawney and others the other
day Mr. Cannon said: Glover. when
ever we buy ground in this city. we
have to pay s., 81. and IS per square
q