The Washington herald., 1908-03-12

Sidney Bieber last night gave out a
typewrittcn statement in which he en-
dcavors 20 discount the statements made
in the Senate or Tuesday. and in a re-
port submitted by the Senator from the
District committee of that body, in both
OF which allegations were made that tend
ed 10 indicate that Mr.. Bieber had by
methods that were reprehensible acquired
valuable government lands in this city.
The principal argument made by Mr..
Bieber is to the effect that the attack
upon him in the Senate is the result of
Efforts on the part Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad 10 secure the land which he
claims under grants made by the Secre-
taiy Of War by authorization Of Congress.
He claims that there was nothing either
irregular underhand about the methods
which he used. and that committees OF
10th Houses Of Congress were perfectly
'ware OF the intent of the legislation
passed in his interest. Some of the
statements made in the Senate Mr.. Bieber
characterizes as untrue, and he alleges
that some Of them were not inadvertent-
ly so.
The Bieber incident may result in hold
ing up a bill pending in the present Con-
gress which proposes to empower the
Secretary of War TO grant title 20 per-
sons holding government land in Wash
ilgton on which they have paid taxes for
a certain number Of years The bill has
assed the Senate but has been held up
"a the House on report from Gen Mac
enzie, chief OF engineers. and an inves-
tlgation of the possible effect Of the bill
is probable.
Says Carter Was Wrong.
Mr.. Bieber's statement follows:
The statement Of Senator Garter. made
on the floor Of the Senate Tuesday after
noon. concerning several legislative enact.
ments giving me title to parcels Of land
along the Anacostia River. was so full OF
gross inaccuracies that am compelled tc
accept them as intentional and not mad
vertent
Senator Carter's statement, in sub
sta nee. If not in form. is practically iden-
teal with the arguments contained IN q
120-page brief prepared by legal counsel OF
the Pennsylvania Railroad. and laid be-
fore the War Department and the De,
par tment OF Justice In an effort to pre-
vent the enforcement Of the bin which
the Senate voted TO repeal
4 call attention to a few Of the mis-
representations made by Senator Carter:
Senator Carter stated that the law il
question gave me land clear up TO the
navy yard. This IS absolutely untrue. As
matter Of fact, the nearest boundary Oi
this land is more than three-quarters OF
mile distant from the navy yard.
Senator Carter stated that some Of the
land In question was now comprised
within the limits OF the Congressional
Cemetery. This is absolutely untrue
Cannot Claim Asylum.
Senator Carter stated that under the
bill would be able to claim land within
the boundaries Of the Government Hos
pital for the Insane. This is absurd.
The Government Hospital for the Insane
IS on the other side Of the Anacostia
River. and fully two miles distant
Senator Carter stated that under the
bin I would be able to claim land on
the opposite side OF the Anacostia River.
This also is absurd.
Senator Carter's remarks throughout
were calculated 20 give the impression
that Congress. through irregular and
fraudulent representations, had enacted
legislation 10 make me "A gift Of these
several parcels Of land This is entirely
erroneous. and / cannot but believe that
Senator Carter in making these misrep-
reservations did so willfully and ma
liciously.
Quotes Letter fo Allen
In December, 1902. Representative
Allen. of Maine, notified me by letter
that the House District Committee de-
sired further information before acting
on the bill TO quit-elaim all interest of
the United States OF America IN and to