Evening star., 1909-05-21
Estimates Presented to Com
mission Hearing Testimony.
OWNERS VIEW IS GIVEN
Part Of Five Squares to Be Taken by
the Government.
SMALL SENSATION IS CAUSED
Tax Appeals ON Cornwell Property in
1902 and 1905 Accepted in Evi-
dence Despite Opposition.

A small sensation was caused yesterday
afternoon in the hearing before the com
mission which is fixing for condemnation
the value of land lying between Pennsyi-
vania avenue and the Mall, 14th and 18th
streets, when Attorneys Morgan II. Beach.
A. A. Birney and David d. Caldwell. for
the government, offered In evidence tax
appeals Of 1905 and 1902. signed by S. G.
Cornwell, owner Of property then un-
der consideration at 1412-141S Pennsyl-
vania avenue. in which it is stated that
the value of his site was In 1905 $3.G4 a
square foot.
During the presentation of evidence in
behalf of Mr.. Cornwell. which was fin
ished at yesterdays session of the COM
mission, witnesses in his behalf placed its
value at from $22 80 to s25 square foot.
Attorneys for Mr.. Cornwell noted an
exception to the admission Of the tax ap-
peals for argument on appeal should
condemnation be taken to the appellate
court.
While the witnesses In behalf of Mr..
Cornwell were on the witness stand testi-
flying that the avenue site owned by him
was worth about $25 square foot there
neys for the government that they held
in their possession these statements es-
timating the value in 1905 at greatly
reduced rate. Then Mr.. Cornwell took
from the renting OF portions Of the build
ings which he owns, and it was while he
was on the stand that the attorneys for
the government produced the tax appeals.
Value of Land in 1905.
According to the tax appeal filed with
the District officials in interest in June,
1905, Mr.. Cornwell declared that he pur-
chased lot K, at 1416 Pennsylvania ave-
nue., with improvements, for $18,5U0, and
that therefore the true value of the land
was $g,5aO or $3.84 a square foot; and he
asked the board Of tax appeals to take
that as the true value of all his avenue
frontage property.
In another tax appeal. filed in October.
1902. the disadvantages of store located
on the south side Of Pennsylvania avenue
between 14th and 18th streets are set
forth in a statement signed by Mr.. Corn-
well.
Attorney Ross Perry. representing Mr..
Cornwell, at once objected to the admit
tance Of these tax appeals in evidence:
but the commissioners thought that the
instructions of the District Supreme Court
allowed them to consider such matters.
and the statements were placed In the
record.
It was argued BY the attorneys for Mr..
Cornwell that the statements were too re-
mote to have a bearing on the present
value Of the property.
When questioned about the tax appeals
Mr.. Cornwell stated that they were drawn
up by an attorney whom he employed.
and that he personally knew nothing
about real estate values.
Two Important Pieces Of Land.
Testimony regarding the value OF the
Regent Hotel property and of the land
upon which Chases Theater stands was
given at the sessions yesterday and this
afternoon Of the commission which is
fixing for condemnation the value of
the land in the five squares bounded
by Pennsylvania avenue, the Mall, 14th
and 10th streets.
All the witnesses heard yesterday and
today testified in behalf of the owners
Of the property. They declared that the
land where the Regent Hotel stands is
worth from $50 to $35 a square foot.
At the higher figure the 1857 square
worth s6S3, ,795; at the lower figure it
would be worth $5s6.11O. The value
placed on the land upon which stands
Chase's Theater by the witnesses for
foot. At the higher figure the value
OF the 1880 square feet of land in the
parcel would be worth $423, 100: at the
lower valuation it would be worth
$339, 600.
The witnesses for the government re-
garding the valuation of this land have
not testified, but 1t is expected that their
valuation will be in strong contrast to
that placed on the parcels by the owners
witnesses
Valuation by Witnesses.
John L. Weaver, the first witness CALI
ed to testify regarding the value of the
land In the two parcels, declared that
the best use to which the property could
be put would be as q site for an apart
ment hotel to cost about $624, GEO. Placing
a value on the land of $35 q square foot
the witness testified, the owner could
easily get a 8 per cent return on his in
vestment. AS to the site OF Chase's
Theater. the witness said, the land Is
worth $3.50 square foot, with an en-
trance on Pennsylvania avenue, or SO a
square foot without such an entrance.
Franklin Schneider, owner Of the Cairo
apartment house. thought that the land
at 10Th street and Pennsylvania avenue
was an admirable location. for a hotel for
transients. and II used as such the land Is
worth $50 square foot. The theater
site. he testified, is worth $50 square
foot.
E. c. Brainerd, a local real estate deal
ct. pldCeu u Vdlu6tlOu OF from you 10
$50 a square foot on the Regent Hotel
site and a valuation of $50 square foot
on the theater site. On cr0ss-examina-
ton, he declared that IL the theater is
not to have an entrance on Pennsylva-
MIA avenue the value Of the theater site
would be reduced $3.50 a square foot
Witness Questioned.
When questioned by Morgan H. Beach,
attorney for the government, as to what
was the basis Of his valuation, he said
that recent sales Of property on 10th
street fronting on the Treasury and Of
the post Office site at 11th street and
Pennsylvania avenue were considered by
him.
did the price paid for the site Of the
District building influence your asked
Mr.. Beach
mo. did not consider that" said the
witness.
You considered the sale of the post
office site eighteen years ago and did not
consider the sale Of the District building
site five or six years ago. Is that right ?"
asked Mr.. Beach.
Mr.. Brainerd replied that he had given
weight to the sale OF the post office site
Col. Arthur E. Randle testified that he
valued the Regent Hotel site at S9S a