Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-08
COURT SETS DATEoF HEARING
CONDEMNATION OF ALLEGED IN
SANITARY BUILDINGS.
Board Files Answer to Complaint Of
VIM. F. Hoffman, Owner
Of Houses. !

Justice Wright has set Friday next for a
! hearing on the rule to show cause recently
| issued against the board for the condemna-
ton of insanitary buildings, at the instance
of VIM. F. Hoffman, the owner Of certain
houses in Lowe alley and Douglass alley
northeast, which had been condemned and
ordered to be demolished.
The board by Corporation Counsel Thorn
as today filed its answer, admitting the ac-
ton complained of in issuing orders Of con-
demnation as required by the law. They
declared that last March the then acting
board made examination of the premises
In question, which are frame dwellings
within the fire limits, and found the same
to be in such insani.ary condition as to
endanger the health and the lives of the
occupants thereof or of persons living In
the vicinity, and thereupon issued prelimi-
nary notices, directed to the petitioner in
this case notifying mn of these facts and
setting forth in detail the insanitary con-
dition SO found.
Alleged Deterioration.
They further say the houses have dete-
riorated more than so per cent of their
value and are in such condition as endan-
gers health and life.
The answer goes into detail as to the
present dilapidated condition Of the prop
erty, which the board shows by photo
graphic exhibits of both the exterior and
interior of the buildings.
These respondents deny that the demoli-
ton of the said buildings as required by
said orders of condemnation will have any
effect upon the value of the lots upon
which said houses are located They adj
NIT that Douglass court and Lowe alley
are less than thirty feet wide, but they
deny the right of the petitioner to main
tain insanitary buildings on any lots, re-
CARELESS of the width of the streets or al
lows yI-hfn hey
spondents further aver that in all the ac-
ton they have taken in respect to the
property in question, they have proceeded
strictly within their legal rights and
duties, and that they have in no way vio-
lated any of the constitutional rights or
privileges of the petitioner in this case,
nor has there been any taking of this
property for public with or without
compensation. On the contrary, these re-
spondents aver that there has been appro-
priated by Congress and remains to the
credit of these respondents sum far In
excess of any possible value which the
premises of the petitioner may have. The
Douglass court property is assessed for
improvements only $500, and said Lowe
alley houses only $500.
Not Entitled.
Further answering the rule to show
cause, these respondents say that this petit
toner is not entitled to the vacation or set
ting aside of the order of condemnation
heretofore passed. nor to the relief prayed
in his petition, nor can he question the
constitutionality of the act of Congress au-
thoriZing your respondents to act as
board to condemn insanitary buildings.
since only by the provisions of said act has
this court any jurisdiction to hear and de-
termine the subject matter of his petit
tion
Attorney Richard A. Ford represents Mr..
Hoffman, and asked that the hearing go
over until next Friday.