Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-05
to the credit of the District Of Columbia. -
The bill was passed without discussion.
Road Along the Anacostia.

Road Along the Anacostia.
/As it was agreed to in the House the
bill Ito authorize the opening Of road
along the Anacostia river in the District
Of Columbia was also passed in the
Senate. The bill directs the Commission
ers u acquire by condemnation 1.-The fee
simple and absolute title. including all
riparian rights and all other rights per-
tanning thereto. to a strip of land for a
public highway and for park purposes
along the Anacostia river and bounded
by said river from Monroe street extend
ed to the right Of way Ofthe outfall sewer
at and near Poplar point, and from the
southwest corner of the grounds of the
Government Hospital for the Insane along
said Anacostia river to >Giesboro point.
near the western terminus of Memphis
street,
The northern and western boundaries
OF the strip of land are to be cOincident
with the high-water line of the Ana
costa river and the southern and east
ern boundaries to be not more than 100
feet from the other boundaries.
To Gain Riparian Rights.
In recommending favorable action on
this bill. the Senate District committee
said:
This bill has for its purpose the &C.
quirement of the fee-simple title to GER
tain portions OF the eastern shore of the
Anacostia river. Immediately in front of
which. under approved plans of the War
Department for the improvement Of the
AnacOstia river. there will result the
reclamation of several, hundred acres OF
ground. 1t is urged that the riparian
rights along the portions of the stream
to be reclaimed should be definitely vest
ed In the United States previous to rec
lamation. since the reclaimed area will
be OF large extent Several hundred
acres, of great value. and. unless
riparian rights are secured to the gov
eminent. would probably be the subject
Of long litigation, or would simply be-
long to the riparian owners.
I'm addition to the determination of
riparian rights. the bill will provide the
level road from the Navy Yard bridge
southwark, which will be of very great
value in the development OF this portion
Of the District.
''The bill provides for the assessment
of benefits equal to not less than one-hah
the damages. therefore, 1t is estimated
that the burden against public funds
should not exceed about "a, 600, while by
the assessments provided parties bene-
f1ted will. 1t Is thought. bear an equal
burden
New Land Designations.
Favorable action was also taken on the
bill which will provide a new system for
the designation of parcels of land for
assessment and taxation. An appropria-
ton of 5000 for carrying out the work
is made available by the bill.
The bill prescribes that each square in
the city shall bear a number or designa-
ton that will distinguish it sfrom every
other. square in the District, and that
each lot or parcel in each square shall
be distinctively designated; and assess
ments shall be made against the lots or
parcels Of land rather than against the
owner.
'.This BILL said the Commissioners in
urging its enactment, lis for the purpose
OF simplifying the records Of the Office.
preventing errors Of location Of improve
mepts in assessing property for taxes,
in the annual advertised tax-sale list.
enabling the taxpayer to identify his
property from the face of his tax bill
without recourse to other records. and
the consequent reduction Of the liabil ty
to error In many respects. AS an instance
Of changes required. there will be found
on page 131 Of the published tax list OF
1910 description reading. OF sublot q,
1865 feet. next to west 1892 feet Under
the new project this would become lot
800. square 2O2. which would be short
and correct designation. while the present