Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-02
Court Decides on Personnel Of
Land Commission.
TO SERVE WITH Mr.. DULANY
George Truesdell and George W. F.
Swartzell the Appointees.
CHOICE OF ALL. CONCERNED
Taking of Testimony Will Probably
Be Started in About M
Two Weeks.

George Truesdell, former District Com
missioner. and George w. r. Swartzeil.
president of the real estate firm OF
Swartzel Rheem & Hensey Company,
will be named next Monday by Chief jus
tice Clabaugh to complete the commission
to determine the value of the property in
the five squares south of Pennsylvania
avenue between 14th and 18th streets. H.
Rozier Dulany. the other commissioner.
was named yesterday.
The appointments have not been made,
but the chief justice. 1t is understood. has
arrived at a decision. The formal an
nouncement will be deferred until Mon
aay.
Attorneys A. S. Worthington. Wilton j.
Lambert and W. G.. Sullivan, the commit
zee appointed yesterday at a conference of
" counsel for the property owners to pre-
net United States Attorney Baker and
chief Justice Clabaugh In the latter's
private Office this morning. An extended
conference was held and the attorneys left
with the impression that II Mr.. Truesdell
and Mr.. Swartzeu could be prevailed on
10 serve the chief justice will appoint
hem. Mr.. Baker communicated with the
two nominees and both expressed will
ngness to lend their aid in arriving at
he price which the government should
De satisfactory to the individual owners.
United States Attorney Baker urged the
selection of name from his list pre-
sented yesterday, but was SO impressed
with the qualifications of Mr.: Truesdell
and Mr. Swartzell, as presented by the
committee. that he was won over to
agree that the two named should COM
olete the commission. Both men are well
Known in the community. where they have
resided for q number of years, and are
commemorative
as Mr.. Baker yesterday announced In
open court would be satisfactory to the
government.
Selection Of Chief Counsel.
The selection of chief counsel for the
government In the condemnation proceed
ngs is being considered by United States
Attorney Baker, but he has not yet de-
.ided on the name to be suggested to
The Attorney General. The declination.
IF John W. Yerkes of the law firm of
Hamilton, Colbert. Yerkes & Hamilton
made ii necessary to cast about for some
aae to take his place. Mr.. Yerkes has
aot assigned any reason for declining to
serve as chief counsel. but as his firm
represents a number of property holders
Involved, 1t is thought likely that such
accounts for his determination not to
represent the government.
Attorneys Morgan H. Beach and David
D. Coldwell, specially assigned by the
Department Of Justice, are conducting
the detail work OF the preparation Of the
governments side Of the evidence to be
introduced before the commission.
1t is probable that 1t will be two weeks
before the commission begins the hearing
Of testimony.
After the announcement of the appoint
nents Is made Monday, a day later in
he week will be set for administering the
bath to the commissioners and probably
several days allowed counsel. in which
20 formulate the instructions. which the
court will be asked to give the commits
sioners as to the manner of determining
The vAlDo of the various interests In the
property. such as Ieaseholds. dover and
he like. The court may also decide to ad-
rise the commission as to the admissi-
aility of certain testimony which may be
introduced.
The place of meeting Of the commission
las not yet been fixed. but the meetings
will probably be held In the city hall or
n q building nearby for tho convenience
IF the large number of attorneys inter-
ssted. These and other details will be ans
aounced after the commission has met
md organized