The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-14
LAND LAWS
URGEOF0R DISTRICT
Special Commission Recon-
mends Legislation to Pro-
teCt Government.
continued from First Page)

gTess the first comprehensive list Of real
property owned by the United States
Ia the District OF Columbia. this list
showing the original requirements OF
me United states at the time the Dis
trict was laid out together with suisse
queut requirements. includes a list OF
the property which has regularly passed
IRON the possession of the United
states, and a further list OF property
in which the titles seem 20 be in the
United States. but IN regard to which
there are elements Of doubt. 10 being
certain that q large proportion OF the
parcels of lana thus listed are in the
possession of private persons and ad-
versely to the United States
Congress to Act.
The commission recommends, with RS
gard TO this list Of property. that q care
ful examination OF the titles shall be
made with a view Of determining the
exact rights OF the United States in the
property and makes no recommendation
as 10 the ultimate disposition of the
lands on which the title is in dispute,
except that II recommends that no
titles shall be alienated from the United
states except by authority OF q special
act OF Congress, ana with 2 full under
stendlEg OF al the circumstances con-
nected with the land
It Is also suggested that no provision
for the alienation Of titles shall be In
cIuded IL an appropriation or other
general bill. and further recommends
mat all the legislation apparently now
IN erect relative to the alienation Of
titles of the United States IN lands in
the. District Of Columbia shall be re-
pealed.
A thorough and exhaustive investiga-
ton OF all the titles 10 ANY land and
water rights in the District OF CoIUm-
oia which the United States may ap-
pear 70 have an interest and also an
investigation into the riparian rights
n ar aeHH
AnacOstia river and the Eastern branch
OF the Potomac river, is recommended.
Inc report refers 10 the conditions
under which the Government came in
70 possession Of the land comprising
the District II points out that under
the law the Government was entitled
10 dispose Of that portion Of the land
acc uIred which II did not require for
governmental purposes. Considera bic
land was disposed of in this way. The
commission states.
Title Has Passed.
"As a result OF this INQUIRY. it appears
that the tie TO a large proportion Of
the lands regularly passed from the
United States, and as shown by these
records, there IS now no color Of title
N the Federal Government to any OF
the parcels OF lard included in the said
exhibit.
There remain. however. a certain
proportion Of the original holdings by
the United States, in regard TO which
there is some measure OF doubt as 10
the title
The information obtained by the
commission shows that a. considerable
proportion OF this Lane IS held ad-
versely TO the United States by private
occupants, and, before proceeding fur
Their or making any statement as TO the
validity OF the title OF tna United States
in the premises, IL IS deemed necessary
that a careful examination should be
made OF The title to each individual
parcel Of land and subdivision thereof
in order that no injustice may be done
by questioning the title of any pres
ent occupant who mas have acquired
a good title 10 the said property
An appropriation OF 10000 is recon-
mended 20 carry on this examination.
In view OF the uncertainty indicated
as To the apparent title Of the United
States to "A considerable number OF
pieces Of property in the District of
Cnlumb ia." continues the commission,
1T is not. deemed advisable BY the
Commission 70 attempt 10 prepare the
map required BIZ the section creating
the commission. and IL IS recommended
that the preparation Of such q map
shall be deferred until the completion
Of the title examination herein recon- /
mended. 30