The Washington herald., 1907-10-04

Union Station Grade EXpen-
SiVe to District.
SINCLAIR MAKES & REPORT
Tells HliSsiOners of Work of the
Damage Commission During Year.
gate of SSS.O65 for Injuries Due To
Change of street Near Terminal.

A. Leftwich Sinclair, special counsel
for the District, has submitted 10 the
Commissioners a report on the appraise-
ment of damages 10 real estate in con-
sequence OF changes made in the grade
Of streets, avenues, and alleys in con-
nection with the new Union Station
project.
There were 16i claims for damages
heard and determined by the grade-dam-
age commission during the year, In
voIving 20 pieces of property. In all OF
these cases damages were awarded land
owners aggregatlng SSSO6j, while in
fifty-three cases the commission awarded
no damages whatever to the claimants,
upon the ground that the damages al
legged to have resulted TO their property
had been Offset by the benefits and ad-
vantages shown 20 have accrued by rea-
son of the establishment of the Union
Station and the Improvement incidental
thereto
During the year there were ninety
seven petitions for the allowances Of
damages filed, making a total Of 200 pc
titions presented to the Commission for
consideration.
As a result OF the courts ruling. Mt
Sinclair says it will be necessary TO pro-
cure further legislation 10 meet the OBJ
jeCtiOns in the present act, and that such
Siil will be presented by him 10 the
Commissioners in the near future
Appeal from Jury Verdicts.
In regard 20 the assessment of beue-
fits TO property by reason of the ex-
tension of Eleventh street northwest
from Florida avenue 20 Lydecker ave
nue., Mr.. Sinclair reports that several
property owners have appealed from the
order Of the court confirming the verdict
of the jury. which assessed benefits TO
the amount Of S96.-oo, and that the ap-
peals are now pending
The Commissioners or the claimants ex-
pressed dissatisfaction with the appraise-
ments OF the commission in sIxty-one of
the cases tried during the year. necessi-
tatiHg the submission Of the cases 30 "a
jury.
The sum of SS22fI9. the report says,
was saved to the District by the submis-
sion of nine cases 10 an appeal jury due
20 the fact that the commission is not
authorized in making its appraisements
to take into consideration the benefits in
uring TO the property of the claimants by
the elimination of grade crossings, while
such right is given 10 the jury.
Mr.. Sinclair calls 10 the attention Of
the Commissioners the failure of juries
TO assess the entire amount Of damages
awarded and the expenses Of the con-
demnation proceedings due 10 the instruc-
ton of the court. based upon the opinion
of the United States Supreme Court iu
the case Of BrandenbUrg VS.. the District.
Grade-damHge suit Compromised.
The grade-damage suit Of Maud Thomp-
son against the District Of Columbia has
been compromised for SL6J0. and Justice
Barnard. Of the District Supreme Court.
on motion Of A. Leftwich Sinclair. spe-
ciaI attorney for the District. confirmed
the compromise. Miss Thompson. as the
owner OF premises "A F street northwest.
was awarded $3.50 by the Union Station
grade-damage commission some time
ago. The District Commissioners objected
% the award as excessive. and asked that
the case be tried by a jury. The case
was awaiting submission 10 a jury when
a compromise was effected