Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-22
OWNERS TAKE ACTION
BOARD OF CONDEMNATION IS
NAMED DEFENDANT IN SUITS.

Members of the board of condemnation
| of insanitary buildings In the District. au-
thorized by act Of Congress and appointed
| by the Commissioners a year ago, have
been named defendants In two suits filed in
the Supreme Court of the District of CO.
lumbia by owners of buildings condemned
by the board.
The latter part of July the board served
notice on Mrs. Mary A. Alexander. owner
of eight two-story frame dwellings facing
New Hampshire avenue between and M
streets, that the buildings were insanitary
and unsightly. 1t was directed that four
of the houses be demolished and the re-
naming four be repaired and equipped
demolished. According to the board the
houses an "eyesore to the neighbof-
hood and have been the cause of COM
plant from nearby residents and property
owners
The houses, r-hich were erected many
years ago, Quilt so that four of them
face New Hampshire avenue-a few feet
from the building Hne-and the other four
are built short distance in the rear Of
the others and also face New Hampshire
avenue. The narrow walk or alley which
separates the two rows is commonly known
as Libby's court. At present thirty-four
eight houses
Willing to Make Repairs.
In the suit against the board which Mrs
Alexander has filed, she explains that she
Is willing to make the necessary repairs,
but when she applied at the building de-
.partment for a permit she was refused one
by Inspector Ashford. who took the view
that the four houses fronting New Hamp-
shire avenue cannot be repaired and must
be demolished. The building inspector
stated that when the four houses are de-
or hn vuyttl r-pnt P0rv
ing the four back buildings in the event
they are supplied with sewer and water
connections.
The board In serving its notice on Mrs
Alexander said her buildings had deterior-
ated in value to the extent of 80 per cent
In her suit she denies the assertion. and
contends that. on the contrary the same
have been recently put in excellent condi-
tion and are now in 'first-class order" She
contends that they are both sanitary and
tenantable and she knows Of nothing to
sires a rule issued by the court setting
aside the notice of the board. and asks
that the board be restrained and enjoined
from proceeding further in the condemna-
ton of her houses. She concludes by ask
ing in the event the court should decide not
to set aside the order or notice Of the
board. the appointment of condemnation
jury or special commission OF award to
hear testimony and assess the damages that
she says would result from the demolition
of the buildings
Inc other SUIT against the ooar0 was nied
by William Hoffman and relates to three
frame houses In loves alley between LIST
and I'd and and D streets northeast and
two houses In Douglas court between Sd
and 4th and and B streets northeast,
which have been condemned by the board
as being unsightly and insanitary. The
purpose Of Mr.. Holtzman's suit Is similar
to that of Mrs. Alexanders.
The board consists Of Capt. William
Kelly, assistant engineer commissioner:
Snowden Ashford. building inspector. and
DR.. William c. Woodward. health officer
Roy Haines Is inspector for the board.