Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-07
UNION STATION CLAIMS.
Commission Appointed by Court Pro-
ceeding with Task.

Charles A. Baker. George w. Moss and
George Spransy. composing the union sta
ton grade claims commission. late yester-
day heard summing up arguments by
the attorneys representing the property
owners and the District regarding the dam
ages alleged to have resulted to the prop
erty on the north side Of Massachusetts
avenue between North Capitol street and
New Jersey avenue. In consequence Of the
change Of the grade Of Massachusetts, ave.
nue., made by the District Commission
ers In order to provide a plaza around the
union station.
Arguments were made In behalf Of the
property-owners by Attorneys w. c. Sulli-
van, Conrad H. Syme, Leon Tobriner, Sid
ney T. Thomas. A. Coulter Wells. John B.
Daish. Michael J. Keane and Philip Buett-
ner. and for the District by A. I.eftwich
Sinclair. special counsel. The commission
concluded the hearing Of testimony In the
case Monday afternoon last.
At the close Of the arguments by the at
torneys the commission took the damage
claims under consideration. and announced
that 1t would report its findings to the
court at an early date.
The commission was occupied with the
hearing Of evidence regarding the property
mentioned for about six weeks, during
which time q number Of realty experts
were called. A controversy arose between
counsel over the question whether the prop
erty involved had enhanced in value owing
to the union station improvements. It was
insisted by the attorneys representing the
landowners that the value Of the property
had not been benefited by the Improve
ments. while Special Attorney Sinclair
maintained that the property had been
greatly benefited, according to the testi-
mony adduced
A difference Of opinion among the real
estate men on this subject was developed
during the hearing of the testimony.
Among those who thought the property
had not enhanced in value are Floyd e.
Davis, George E. Emmons, Jesse L. Heis-
kell, Luther L. Apple. D. Carroll Digges.
w. Clarence Duvall and Louis p. Shoe
maker. The following-named witnesses
testified that the union station improve
ments benefited the property Of the claim
ants: J. D. Sullivan. William M. Terrell,
Allen w. Mallery. Harold e. Doyle. Will
liam H. Walker. Alexander T. Hensey,
George q. Brown. Clarence F. Donohoe,
James F. Shea Patrick ]. Walsh. John Y.
Worthfngton and Thomas w. Smith.
Attorney Sinclair. who was the last to
address the commission argued that IN
the majority Of the cases the benefits which
had resulted to the property Of the claim
ants from the union station improvements
were in excess Of the damages that have
accrued to the property. and asked the
commission to make no awards Of damages
in favor Of the owners Of such property.
The damage claims to be next taken up by
the commission will be those filed by the
owners Of the property on the south side
OF Massachusetts, avenue between North
Capitol and New Jersey avenue. The COM
mission will view the property Tuesday
next at o'clock pm, and will begin the
hearing Of evidence in behalf of the claim
ants the following day. at 1890 o'clock
m. at the CITY hall