Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-26
TO Observation-Disclosures
COMMISSIONERS OFFER SUBSTI-
TUTE BILL TO SENATE.

In reporting to Chairman Gallinger of the
District. committee Of the Senate today upon
Senate bill 1873, which authorizes ne Com
missioners of the District to close and aban-
don roadways in the District outside of the
city of Washington, and to transfer title in
such roadways to the owners of the abut-
ting property, the Commissioners today
stated that although they believe the propo-
sition a good one, the bill as drafted is
faulty in some respects. and in view Of that
they drafted a substitute bill, which they
inclosed with their report, and recommend
, favorable action.
The object of the legislation is to provide
for the abandonment of certain roadways
which are not laid out in accordance with
the plans for a permanent system Of high
ways, upon the dedication by the owners
OF any tract of land Of a highway through
such tract as Is laid down on the highway
extension plans. There are number OF
such old roadways In the District. and it
was the intention that they should be aban-
dOned when new highways were opened to
take their place. By the terms of the Sem
ate bill it would practicable for the Com
missioners to petition of the owner of any
tract of land through which such old road
way passes to close the roadway as 1t
passes through such tract upon the open
Ing of a new street, according to the nigh
way plans to take the place of the aban-
QOneQ one.
What Bill Directs.
The bill directs the Commissioners to
accept the dedication of the new high
way and close the old highway. upon being
satisfied of the facts Of ownership and
also that no private easements exist over
the roadway. 1t is not within the power
Of the Commissioners to determine the
question Of private easements without some
certificate of titles and easements to the
property, and they therefore believe that
the petitioners should be required to fur
niSh such Information.
The substitute bill offered by the Commits
sioners is practically the same lines
as the Senate bill, except the Commission
ers shall cause petitioners for the abandon
ment and dedication to furnish the Com
miSsonerS with a certificate of a title to
posed to be abandoned showing the own
ership of the roadway in question and OF
the land abutting thereon.
Provision of the Substitute.
The last provision N the substitute Jill
is that 1.-The Commissioners shall cause GER
titled copies of the order to be made and
delivered to the surveyor of said District,
and the recorder of deeds for said district.
respectively. who, at the expense of said
petitioners. shall record the said plats AMI
certificates in their respective offices, and
thereafter the right of the public to use
such closed roadway or rOadways shall
cease. and the title shall vest according to
said agreement of the said owners as shown
on the aforesaid plat each person being
thenceforward the owner in fee simple of
the parcel or parcels according to the
agreement referred to in section l of this
at The new street or streets described IN
said order. and delineated on said plat.
shA1 thereafter be and remain dedicated
to public use as public streets, and, like
other such streets, shall be under the care
and control of said Commissioners.