The Washington times., 1908-09-25
Condemnation of Land
Wanted by Government Be
fore Special Session.
MANY ARE SUMMONED
TO APPEAR IN COURT
Special Jury Will Be Appointed to
Hear Evidence as to
Values.

Condemnation proceedings TO Tx the
price which the Government shall pay
Tor the properties in the great tract CT
land bounded by Pennsylvania avenue
Fcurteenth street. the Mall, and Fiji
toenth street have reached the point
where they are now IN charge Of the
supreme Court of the District Of Co
lumbia, holding a special session as a
District Court, Chief Justice Clabaugh
presiding
The matter Will be taken up in court
for the first time next Thursday. Octo-
Der 1. The property owners, the occu-
pants OF the properties, and even the
representatives Of membranes there
on, have been summoned to appear in
court on that day TO answer 10 the Gov
ernment's petition 10 have the proper
ties condemned. Citations have been
issued to more than 250 persons or es-
tates TO appear. These own. occupy. or
have an interest in the properties in
cluded in al OF the five squares num-
bered 226 10 30. inclusive.
Official Vindication.
The citations give official verificatiou
10 previous reports that the land is 20
be used for new buildings for the De-
partments of State, Justice, and Com
merce and Labor.
In the proceedings, the Government
will be represented by the Office Of Dis
trict Attorney D. W. Baker. a special
jury Of three men Will be appointed to
hear the evidence as TO values the
court having exclusive power in maxi
ing the appointments District Attorney
Baker has had number Of names
suggested TO him for the Jury, and will
summit these a -
ing recommendation as 10 who shall
be chosen. A number Of the names are
those OF attorneys interested In the
properties on behalf of clients and
others are Of men supposedly favorable
10 the Government
Il is understood that both sides will
be represented on the jury, the third
man TO be an impartial real estate
expert. As the case will come up IN
a Few days. the Government has ap-
pointed no official appraisers to report
70 II, and the question Of whether any
VIII be appointed to examine the prop
erty and testify before the court re-
mains TO be determined during the pro-
ceedings.
If the condemnation proceedings are
held over after the case is called next
Thursday. and are not taken up by
Chief Justice ClabauEh before the fol
lowing Tuesday, when a new term be-
gins, they will then 90 before the Dis
trict Court Of Appeals.
interest Widespread.
On account Of the large size Of the
properties in the aggregate and the
number OF prisons involved, and be-
cause Of the purpose to erect new
buildings for three departments. in
terest in the proceedings Is widespread.
Names which have been suggested for
service on the special jury have not
been announced officially, but It is re-
as Capt James +. Oyster, II. ROzier
Dulany, and other prominent merchants
and real estate dealers have been sent
TO District Attorney Baker.
The citations served upon the prop
erty owners, occupants, and holders Of
membranes read.
You are hereby notified that under
and in conformity with the terms and
provisions Of certain act Of Congress
OF the United States. approved May 80,
1908, entitled An act to increase the
limit of cost Of certain public buildings;
10 authorize the enlargement. extension.
remOdeling or improving Of certain pub
lie buildings. TO authorize the erection
and completion Of public buildings: TO
authorize the purchase Of sites for pub
lie bulldlnESi and for other purposes.
a petition for the condemnation of all
squares numbered 226. 227, 22S 22g and
go. in the city Of Washington. in the
District Of Columbia. i'm which you are
interested, has been filed in this court
You are hereby commanded to APP
pear in said court and make answer to
the petition aforesaid on or before the
first day Of October. 1905 at 10 O'Clock
a. m at which time the court will pro
coed with the matter OF the cOndemna-
tion Of said squares"
Smacked of Fancy Prices.
Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury
Winthrop had charge Of the matter Of
the proposed sites for new buildings I'd
10 a few weeks ago. Two owners had
ben invited to submit estimates as to
what they believed their properties to
be worth, but as the figures sent in by
the comparative few who responded
smaclIed very strongly of fancy prices.
81 was decided TO institute the condem-
nation proceedings The Attorney Cen
eral of the United States was asked
by the Treasury Department to take
the necessary action, and he in turn
requested the District Attorney to take
charge Of the matter. The last named
official now has entire charge for the