The Washington times., 1910-08-31
Surveyor Hazen Calls Atten-
ton to Urgent Need of
Legislation.
DISTRICT IS LOSING {
MONEY BY DELAY
Land Needed Is Being Cut Up
for Building and Other
Purposes.

That legislation be obtained authoriz-
ing the construction Of a park system
throughout the District is the recon-
mendatiOn contained in the annual re-
port OF II c. Hazen, surveyor OF the
District, submitted 10 the Commissioners
today
The present arrangement Of parks IS
Characterized by the surveyor as a dis
connected system
o. his is a matter Of great importance
10 avery citizen of the District. and a
question involving the expenditure Of a
large sum Of money says the report
Subdivisions are being made con
stantIy, and streets are condemned and
opened through tracts Of land desirable
for parks- ThisNhOuld not be SO
There is Immediate necessity for a
bill similar TO the one introduced at the
last session authorizing the appointment
of a park commission, so that there may
be a systematic and Uniform arrange
menI Of parks throughout the District
rather than a disconnected system as at
present
High Water Line Survey.
Directing attention to the fact that
tie hiEh-wate- line along the Ana
costa river is reCedinE rapidly, there
by allowing owners Of adjacent prop
erty TO include new areas IN their
holdings. Surveyor Hazcn recon-
mends an immediate appropriation OF
$4,000 providing for a survey TO de-
termine the location Of the original
shore line.
itugh T TaSgarL special counsel on
the ownership Of riparian rights along
the AnacOstis- holds that the United
States owns to the hiEh-water mark
along the shore. II is necessary
therefore, says the surveyor. to have
a record Of the boundary line be-
tween the Government and private
ownership which may prevent ex-
pensive lawsuits and delay II the
development Of the park system along
the Eastern Branch
In connection with the subdivision
Of agricultural property into lots and
blocks It Is recommended that the
parties be compelled by legislation
10 furnish and record in connection
with the recording OF the subdivision
q certificate Of title 10 the property
How to Accomplish It.
This may be accomplished il IS
held. in three ways BY the employ
ment Of a special attorney attached
TO the surveyors office. who would
be required 10 give bond, by the &C
Ceptance Of bids from reputable title
companies for guaranty OF title for
the property 10 be subdivided. or BIZ
requiring the applicant for the SUD-
division TO submit at his own ex-
peDse an abstract OF title from a title
company or lawyer.
Under the present arrangement -
says the report. 1T is necessary 10
spend days in research TO determine
the ownership OF a small lot, the
examination OF the title being quite
expensive
Attention is directed TO the surveys
At OCcOquon and Accotink. Va for
the new TefOrmarOry and wOrkhouse
which wore made under the direction
OF =. n. ShInD. assistant surveyor, con
corning which special reports were
submitted TO the miSsionerS
The amount Of work in the office
Of the surveyor greatly exceeded tina
OF any previous year. according L
the report
The receipts for work done for pri-
Vate parties amounted TO S22.SS1-Sb
an increase Of S2,347-04 over TIE
previous year
The total OF surveys made was
SI45e, as compared with 2,174 in 1909.