The Washington times., 1911-08-03
SUIT TO CONDEMN
TWO CAPITOL HILL
SQUARES IS FILED
Half Million To Pay For
Land Wanted By the
Government.

Assistant United States District Attor-
nye Reginald S. Huidekoper, upon
opening of the District Supreme Court
this morning, filed the Government s
suit to condemn for $4,000 two squares
just Gorth of the Capitol grounds, from
b to G streets northwest between Della
and New Jersey avenues, as announced
exclusively last night in The Times.
Citations will be issued within thirty
days for property owners and occupants
In the two squares, numbered 634 and
CS5' 10 file answers to the condemna-
ton suit. 1t is believed, however. that
no objections will be made.
The petition, signed by United States
District Attorney Wilson and Reeves r
strickland. special attorney for the
United States, asks the court to appoint
three capable and disinterested persons
to appraise the value of the land and
improvements" These appraisers will
probably be appointed during the latter
part of September or early in October
by Chief Justice Clabaugh, Of the Dis
trict Supreme Court. 1t is known that
n any persohs are applicants for the
positions and the lucrative fees, which
will probably amount to 5000 or more
each.
Ten Other Squares.
Following condemnation, drawn by
the Department of Justice, ten other
squares adjoining the Capitol grounds
will be acquired. By joint resolution
Congress has committed itself to buy
all of the twelve blocks by annual ap-
propriations of not more than $500, 200.
On March $4,000 was appropriated
for condemnation of the two first
squares, named in the petition filed to-
day. Next years program is to con-
denim the two squares east of New
Jersey avenue, on B street, as far west
as Second street northwest, opposite
the Census Office
This land will be used to build a
mammoth vista, or avenue, 15O feet
in width from the Capitol to the Union
Station, with the Peace Monument as
the center of the axis.
In the petition 1t is cited that a let
ter was received by the Attorney Gen
man, former Speaker Cannon, and the
Superintendent of the Capitol request
ing the condemnation of the two
squares, under authority of the joint |
resolution. This committee of three
decided upon the squares named in the |
petition filed today as the first for acQui- |
sition.
Owners of the Property.
Among the owners of the property in |
the two squares for initial condemna- |
lion are: Heirs of former Representa-
tive Joseph w. Babcock, Mary A. Gal |
lgan, William C. Robinson, Mary F. |
Case, c. F. Lynch, Jennie Craycroft, |
Schwartz, Joseph Schwartz |
J Johnson, Emma w. Chamberlain, Kath-
crime and Ferdinand Lambrecht, Hugh |
J. Phillips, estate Of c. Louise Dahler,
Charles Mades, Litz estate, Daniel |
O'Brien estate, Mary L. Lee, r. s. !
Simpson, estate of Gustav Lansburgh, |
Wilton Harvey, Blancne G. Rogers, |
Mary o. Odell, Edward G. McGetrick, |
Ruth A. Lee estate, John G. Williams, |
Elizabeth Tally, Emma Michael, Henri |
eta Rousseau, w. E. II. Merritt, A. |
Graham Smith. Bessie (. Mcpherson, |
George n. Acker, w. T. Belt estate, |
National Herb Company, James Twohy, |
W. G. Bennett L. Cabell Williamson, |
Benjamin H. Warder estate, G. w. Van |
Nest, Helen Seymour, and George Fer |
rell.
Other squares to be acquired later
each year are those numbered 632, 633, |
$50, 6Sl, $50, 6S3 6S4, ~, 10, and 723, |
all surrounding the Capitol.
There are forty-five parcels OF land |
in the square between New Jersey ave-
nue. and North Capitol street and thirty |
five in the block just east, between |
North Capitol street and Delaware ave-
nue., which faces the new Senate office /
building.