The Washington times., 1913-11-11
STARTS INQUIRY ON
NDCONDEMNAT|ON
Department of Justice to Probe
Part of B. & O. in Sale of
Plaza Property.

The Department Of Justice, at the
request of President Wilson. today be-
gan an investigation of the facts enter
ing into the condemnation of land be-
tween the Capitol and the Union Sta
ton, and on the findings made will de-
pend whether the purchase of the prop
erty by the Government at a price ag-
gregating 3,2O4, 4347S will be completed.
The only explanation given of the
Presidents action in re-referring the
case to the Attorney General was that
an opinion was desired on the legality
of the lump sum appropriation made in
the 1913 sundry civil bill In view Of the
provision Of the act of 1910 that this
land should be purchased only at the
rate of $4,000 a year.
1t Is known, however, that both the
President and the Department Of JUS
tice would like to have a little more
light on just what profit the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company made on
and subsequent sale to the Govern
ments
Gets Big Award.
The Baltimore and Ohio, either in, its
own name or that Of the Real Estate
and Improvement Company of Mary-
land, it's holding company, was given
an award of 81, All. while the other
175 individual owners of the property in
the condemned area received s., AZ, 4g7. Is.
Since the condemnation award was
made, February "a. the Department Of
Justice has conducted an investigation
with a view to determining whether
there had been any excess profits made
on the sale Of this land to the Govern
ment. The investigation did not have
any results, however. for 1t was i'm
possible to determine what the prop
erty brought when it was bought by
present owners. only nominal con-
sideration appearing in the deed.
One thing that developed, however.
was that much Of the property-in fact.
almost four entire blocks-was bought
by the Real Estate and Improvement
Company, acting. 1t is said. as real
estate purchasing agent and holding
company for the Baltimore and Ohio,
between the years 1898 and 1906. Dur
ing this time the Union Station and
Capitol grounds extension matter was
up for consideration and action.
This land was included in squares
6s3. 6S4. $50. 6s2, and I'll. Two blocks
and 6S1, were the sites Of the old depot
and freight yards. and were bought be-
fore there was thought of subsequent
sale to the Government.
There are nine and a half squares IN
the "A area "a under % controversy; The
two squares, SS4 and 6S5, and the build
ings there are being or have been razed
OF the remaining nine and a half
squares, the Baltimore and Ohio, or
the holding company, whose interests
the Department of Justice believes are
Identical, owns all of three squares and
large part Of three others.
There are more than It's individual
owners of property awaiting the settle
ment Of the awards, however, and it is
to save them from loss that the Presi-
dent has been petitioned to hasten ac-
tion on the awards of Commissioners
Samuel Ross, John w. Childress and H.
Rozier Dulaney, which had been ap-
proved by the Supreme Court of the
District and the Department Of Justice,
but remained imperative because OF
lack of executive approval.
Attorney General McReynolds would
not indicate today just what form his
investigation would take or at what
time he could be expected to report to
the President