The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-16
Sission Resolution Demand
ing to Know Owners of
Certain Washington Prop
erty Will Cause Big Row.
REAL OWNERS HIDE
BEHIND A TRUSTEE
Land Between Capitol Build
ing and Union Station to
Be Acquired by Govern
ment to Have Park.
BY SIDNEY ESPEY.

BY SIDNEY ESPEY.
Washington, July ia scandal Of
grave proportions may result from the
Sission resolution demanding to know
the real owners of the property be-
tween the United States capitol build
ing and the Union station. a plot OF
land that is to be acquired by the Gov
ernment for park purposes.
1t has been already ascertained that
much of this property has been ac-
quired in the name of some trustee"
and that the real ownership is hidden
behind this trusteeship. Representa-
tive Sission and other members Of
the House scent a plan to unload"
these real estate holdings upon the
Government at a high price and the
report is that members OF Congress
themselves and public ofhcials have
become property owners in the neigh
borhood in the expectation OF proflting
at the expense o fthe Federal treasury.
Two years ago Congress appropriat-
ed for the purchase OF all the land in
question, which covers several city
blocks. Until the Union Station was
entually this heretofore neglected
portions OF the city was to be convert
ed into a mammoth park much OF the
land could be bought for a song. COM
paratively speaking.
Change Of Growth.
The city. OF Washinston AAd built 70
the northwest and away from the cap
itol, Property to the east Of the capi-
tol dome had become in consequence
less valuable, although when the capi-
tol building was erected 1t was expect
ed that the city would grow eastward
and that its finest residential section
| would lie in that direction. Hence the
big building fronts east and the God
dess of Freedom. on the dome. has
her face turned away from that Sec
! ton of Washington that has grown
the faster
| About five years ago a plan was
Matched to erect the Senate once
building at distance some two hum
dred yards to the northeast of tho
Senate wing of the capitol. The build
| ing was erected. A quarter OF q mile
to the North the Union Station. ono
of the finest In the country, was
built 1t was completed a little less
than two years ago. In the meantime
the idea originated that, with these
handsome buildings already erected
and the Washington City postofnce In
contemplation in the same vicinity the
Government ought to acquire the sew
eral surrounding squares, tear down
the unprepossessing buildings there
on and convert the whole area into q
great park, perhaps as a memorial to
Abraham Lincoln or some other great
American.
Congress accordingly authorized tho
purchase of the necessary land. II pro-
vided that 100000 per annum might
be spent in condemnation proceed
ings or in outright purchase.
To Negotiate.
A Joint commission was named to
negotiate the deals with the holders
of the property. Under the original act
it was provided that this commission
should consist of the Vice President.
|
Representatives, Cannon and Superin-
tendent of Capitol Buildings and
Grounds Elliott Woods.
Then came along the Democratic
victory at the polls last November.
turning the House over to the control
of the Democrats. During the short
session when the Republicans were
still in control OF both branches Of the
national legislature. an amendment
: was obtained to the appropriation act.
This amendment provided that the
commission should consist of the Vice
President, Joseph g. Cannon" and
? the Superintendent of the Capitol
Buildings and Grounds Woods. The
name OF Joseph G. Cannon" person
ally was substituted for the words
!. f"Speaker of the House." which Mr
!, Cannon was destined to soon cease to
, be-
: This change may have been a per
functory proceeding. The Democrats
iof the House are calling attention te
it, now that an investigation OF land
Titles is to be made. The Sission reso
! luton directs that the commission
shall make no purchases until it hal
been ascertained whether any public
!. men are now interested in the prop
y erty to be acquired by purchase OF
condemnation
Il 1t is reported that while the legfs
Ilative details were being carried out
/ there was a rapid-fire interchange Of
: ownership in the property that even
q tually is TO belong to the Government
The district records show that many
4 lots are owned by various peEso0l
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