Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-20
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Testimony Taken in Reforma-
tory Site Contest.
TROUBLE OVER THE PRICE
Aldermen to Make Another Effort
to Elect President Tonight.
John w. Avery Dead.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, September 20, 1910.
The taking Of testimony in the condem-
nation proceedings of the United States
| against a certain parcel of land known
as Belvoir. or the White House tract,
consisting of fifteen hundred acres, locat-
ed in Fairfax county, which the govern
ment desires as a site for District, re-
| formatory, was begun in the United
States court for. the eastern district of
Virginia. Judge Edmund Waddill presid-
| ing, shortly before noon today. 1t Is
said that the case may not be finished
for several days. The evidence is being
| taken before jury.
The dispute is over the price which the
| government desires to pay for the prop
erty and which the fifty defendants
to the suit Claim is too small The gov
eminent, it is said, has offered $4,000 for
the property. The defendants claim that
the property is worth from $50 to 500
an acre.
Judge c. E. Nicol, representing many
of the defendants, said this morning that
| he would make an effort to have the
| court permit the jury to inspect the prop
erty, In order that it can determine It's
full value. In that event the case may
occupy several days. The government is
represented by District Attorney l.. l..
Lewis.
For more than year the government
has been negotiating for this site, out.
agreement was reached. The suit in
wolves fifty-seven descendants Of Philip
Otterback, who was the original owner
of the property. 1t is said many OF
them reside In Washington Inc property
has already been surveyed and plotted
by government engineers. 1t Is sur
rounded on three sides by water. the
Potomac river. Accotink bay and Gunston
cove, and Is not far from historic Gunston
Hall. These proceedings were instituted
at the instance of Attorney General
Wickersham, following unsuccessful ef-
forts to reach satisfactory agreement
with the owners.
Will Try to Elect President.
An effort will be made by the board of
aldermen tonight to break the deadlock
in that body for the election of a presi-
dent. The superstition is that number
of additional ballots will be taken to-
night without result. as, SO far as can be
learned. the members stand four to four
The meeting will be presided over by j.
NJ Hill, vice president of the body. 1t is
more than probable that something will
be suggested to break the deadlock, posi-
bly, that of drawing q straw. The latter
method was adopted number OF years
ago when similar deadlock occurred:
September 1 last forty-three ballots were
taken without result and an adjournment
was taken until tonight.
1t Is understood that in case the alder
men fail to select president Alderman
Hill, vice president, will continue to pre-
side.
The annual inspection of the Alexan-
dria Light Infantry will be made at
clock tonight at Armory Hall by Col
]. Lane Stern, assistant inspector general
Of state militia. 1t is expected that fully
fifty eight men will be in line, which is
within two of the total strength of the
command. The company will be in COM
mand Of Capt. F. l.. Slaymaker. The
company last evening held its final drill
at Armory Hall preparatory to the inspec-
ton and three members were elected.
John Henderson, former member Of
the police force, and Mrs. Bessie Gray
were in the police court this morning,
and were fined $50 each on charge of
selling whisky without a license. Mrs.
Gray noted an appeal. She was repre-
scented by Attorney Robinson Moncure.
She and Henderson denied the charge.
Philip Didzoneit, who was arrested
Sunday on suspicion of selling liquor,
was acquitted He testified that he got
liquor from Mrs. Gray Sunday morn
ing and sold 1T to a man from Fairfax
county.
Co... NJ nounht Whiskv