Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-08
PRESENTS NEW Bill!
Mai. MorroW's Plan for Pur-
chase of Avenue Property.
SUBSTITUTE FOR ORIGINAL
Measure Calls for an Appropriation
of $21, 100000.
AT RATE OF $3,Oo0,ooo YEAR
Provision for the Appointment Of
Special Committee to Negotiate
the Purchase.
SUBSTITUTE FOR ORIGINAL
AT RATE OF $3,OOO,00O YEAR

Ma jor Jay j. Morrow, Engineer Com
missioner of the District forwarded today
to Senator Gallinger, chairman of the
Senate District committee, a substitute
bill for the one recently introduced by
Senator Hepburn providing for the pur-
chase of the land south of Pennsylvania
avenue for the extension of the Mall and
upon which to erect a number of public
buildings.
Maj. Morrow's substitute bill provides
for the authorization of an expenditure of
s21. 100000 for the purpose of acquiring
this land. that sum being in round num-
bers the price which the Commissioners
of the District believe the land can be
purchased for, although it is $1,000. 600
more than the estimate furnished by them
to Vice President Fairbanks several days
ago.
The bill offered by Commissioner Nor
row further provides that during the tis-
cal year ending June 80. 1909. but s., OOO,-
900 of this total amount shall be appropri-
ated for the purpose. the balance to be
appropriated at the rate of $1,000 600 a
year until a sufficient sum has been ap-
propriated to purchase all the land.
This bill was prepared in the office Of
on suggestions made to Maj Morrow by
Mr.. w. p Richards. the surveyor of the
District, who. in conjunction with the as
SCISSORS office, made the valuations of
the property recently sent to the Senate
in response to a resolution directing the
Commissioners to ascertain the lowest
purchase price at which the property
could be obtained.
Under Hepburn Bill.
Tho hill introduoed hy Copafnr uoy-
burn provided an appropriation of s1O.-
100000 for the purchase of this land by
the United States. the purchase to be
made by the Secretary of the Treasury
under the direction of the President at
such prices as might be agreed upon be-
tween the Secretary of the Treasury and
the owners; and in the event OF failure
to agree the Attorney General was di-
rected TO institute condemnation pro-
ceedings to acquire the land
The substitute bill prepared by the En-
gineer Commissioner provides for the ap-
pointment. by the President of the United
States, OF commission OF three persons
TO enter into negotiations with the owners
of the property for the purpose Of pur-
chasing the land at a price Satisfa ctOry
to- this commission. provided that the
price agreed upon between the commits
sion and the owners shall be approved by
the President of the United States; and
IN case no price can De agreed upon IL
is provided that the commission shall
recommend to the President that con-
demnation proceedings be instituted to
acquire the land under the provisions OF
chapter 10 of the code Of law for the
District of Columbia which provides for
acquiring land for public use by the
United States or District of Columbia
The members of this commission are to
be compensated for their services at the
rate of $40 per day when actually en-
ployed
Represents Interested Citizens.
The idea Is that the Commissioners will
forward this bill as representing the
citizens of the District of Columbia who
are interested in the acquisition of the
land for this purpose, although the bill
does not provide that they shall have any
duties in the matter, as the land is to be
acquired and paid for by those represent
ing the United States government 1t is
believed that the method of acquiring land
proposed in their substitute bill is much
more satisfactory than that proposed in
the bill of Senator Hepburn, as the COM
mission authorized in their substitute bill
would have authority to purchase any
piece or parcel of land within the area
desired to be acquired by negotiations
with the property owners direct and 1t is
very probable that satisfactory arrange
ments as to the price can be agreed upon
between the commission and the owners.
To the extent of S3,0O,OOU they would he
authorized TO purchase a portion of the
land during the next fiscal year, and the
prices they obtain will be an indication
of the values which can be used in the
purchasing of other portions of the
ground at another time.
\ commission similar to that suggest ed
in the bill purchased the land for Rock
Greek Park, and a similar commission is
now adjusting claims for damages by
reason OF the> elimination of grade cross
ings in the city.