The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-02

The American Colonization Society,
which has large claims against the prop
erty of Analostan Island, has authorized
its attorney to go into Equity Court to-
day and enter a strong protest against
the ratification of the sale of the property
by the trustees. Blair Lee and John d.
Coughlan, TO parties who wish to make
use Of it as an amusement resort
The ground of objection to the sale
win be that the price offered is insult
hcient TO meet existing claims against the
property. and not what the property IS
worth.
The directors of the Colonization Society
held g meeting on July 3, at which they
refused 10 sign the agreement Of creditors
for the sale, and passed a resolution set
ting forth their views at that time.
The directors Of the society held
second meeting last Wednesday night, at
which their attorney, J. J. Darlington,
was instructed 10 90 into court to-day
and ask for a postponement of the pro-
ceedings until certain questions Of title
could be determined and a plea entered
against the proposed sale.
Several Claims on Property.
The Analostan Island property was
formerly the Marshall estate. belonging
to a well-known Virginia family, who
occupied it for many years IN the colonial
days. The property afterward passed
through various hands, and at the pres
ent time several persons and corporations
have claims against the property. Among
these are the Washington City Orphan
Asylum, Mrs. Martha G. Dewey. Mr.. Ed
monston. Mrs. Wilbur-Smith. and the
American Colonization Society.
Several of these claims, among them
the last named, are for money loaned 20
the holders Of the property, the notes for
when remain unpaid, with accrued in
terest for ten years or more. The ag-
gregate claims amount TO something like
$4,000. 1t is argued, therefore, that the
sale OF the property for 100000 means a
substantial loss TO ali the creditors, II It
is ratified.
DR.. II. /. T. Johnson, one Of the direct
ors Of the American Colonization Society,
said last night that the society would
fight the proposed sale to the last ditch.
He said the society put its funds into
Analostan Island fifteen or eighteen
years ago, and after receiving interest
on the loans for a few years the pay
ments lapsed and the money was not
paid.
Has Helped Pay Taxes.
For ten years he said the society had
paid its share of the taxes on the proper
ty, had bought up the unpaid taxes of
other creditors, having faith that some
day the society would be able to get its
money cut by the sale Of the property,
when it should become valuable with the
advancing interests Of Washington and
vicinity.
Now" said DR.. Johnson, Just as the
railroads are gathering at ROsslyn, Just
as there Is activity along the Virginia
shore which is bound to make AnalOstan
Island valuable for manufacturing or
other purposes, comes this offer to sell
at a price which will not make the invest
ments of any of the creditors good, and
an effort is made 10 force the sale Of
the island against the protest Of one OF
the large creditors. It is our purpose 10
defeat the SALE if We can. and failing in
that the Colonization Society stands ready
TO take the property at the valuation
placed upon it by the other owners and
creditors. buy it in and hold it for a
rise"
DR.. Johnson said that one important
item in the proposition was the wharfage
privilege, or entrance upon the island,
which goes with the property.
Goes with the Island.
He said that by act of the legislature OF
Virginia the right of way 10 the island
had been dedicated, and that It was not
an asset 70 be bought and sold apart from
the property itself. He said it was to all
intents and purposes q highway which at
tached to the property.
DR.. JRlnson said the directors have an
abiding faith in the value Of Analostan
Island as the future site Of factories. as
the terminal Of a railroad. or for some
other purpose, not barring the amusement
plan, but he said the property was worth
more than the price offered, and that the
Colonization Society, at least, did not in
tend 70 sacrifice its interests by consent
ing to the proposed transfer of the island
at the price offered.
The court last Monday set the time for
hearing in the petition asking for ratifica-
ton of the sale for this morning at 10
o'clock, and all the parties interested
were formally notified. The action OF the
society was taken in according Herewith.
and developments at the hearing are ex-