Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-08
Name of Chairman Eustis of
Inaugural Committee Is
Also Brought Up.
KALBFUS AGAIN TESTIFIES
IN DISTRICT INVESTIGATION
Committee Asks Series of Questions
Inferring Favor Is Shown in
Making Assessments.


committee into the affairs OF the District
questions indicating the theory that the
Corcoran estate has been unduy favor
ed by the assessors of the District of CO.
SCISSOR for the District was the sole wit
ness, but the committee had evidently as
certained nearly enough about his real
estate deals. as he was asked very little
about them today.
Instead, the testimony was character
lied by continual reference to the prop
erty Of the Corcoran estate its present
value, it's present assessment and what
Mr.. kalbfus thought it worth. The testf-
mony showed that Mr.. Kalbfus thinks
the Corcoran home at III street and Con-
necticut avenue and the Corcoran build
ing, at 18th and F streets are worth more
than the assessed valuation. The valua-
ton on the Arlington Hotel property and
the sale Of that land at $3.50 foot was
discussed by the committee also.
Tells of Property Holdings.
Mr.. Kalbfus in reply to questions said
he had no interest in property on South
Capitol street near Half street and N
street southwest. He said he owned an
interest in property beyond the American
University and Massachusetts avenue ex-
tended. Twenty-six lots were purchased
by him and Allan E. Walker. Mr.. Kalb-
fus' written statement shows the follow
ing concerning the purchase:
November II. 1912. Mr.. Walker bought
from Herrick T. and Florence A. Corey.
persons entirely unknown to me, whom
r md nd in
York, twenty-six lots out in American
University Heights I understand from
Walker that the Corey title to this prop
erty was complicated by old outstanding
tax deeds and that to acquire the Corey
title and the tax-sale- purchaser title cost
$1,000 There is no loan on this property.
l have nothing whatever to do with ac-
quiring it, After Mr.. Walker had pur-
chased it, he agreed to put it in our joint
operation. to be carried one-haf for his
account and one-half for mine. The sell
ers had never had any transactions with
the assessors office. This property is
described as lots IA, Is. 80 and 80. in
square 1928; lots 90 and 81 In square
1905: lot ~, square 1926: lots II and 1s,
square 1915; lots 9. 80 and 81, square
1915; lots 81 and 33. square 1927; lots
40. 81 and 50. square 1855; lot 800. square
west of 1855: lots 21. % and 36. square
1879. and lots 19 and 20. square 1866 The
property comprised in this transaction
at $2,97O. and in the assessments of
1911-12 e $2,97O. No part of this prop
erty has been sold. There is no loan on
this property. We, of course. hope that
it will be profitable. but this is prob
lematical, and up to this time we have
derived no profit whatever from it,
Mr.. George asked Mr.. Kalbfus much
about the deal, and expressed great sur
prise at the small price. Mr.. Kalbfus
not having data on the sale in his hand
in 10 oil
1t was near the Glover estate, that the
lots are wild stony unimproved. and
much more like wilderness than a city
neighborhood.
Mr.. George asked IL car lines are pro-
jected for that neighborhood.
Mr.. Georges questions were directed, 1t
seemed, to finding out whether any great
hopes were entertained on making a big
profit out of these lots because of the
| coming development of that section.
Hopes It Will Yield Profit.
In answer to question along that line,
Mr.. Kalbfus said he never saw any
poorer looking land in his life. but that
he had an undying hope that some day 1t
would yield profit.
The assessments on the lots were taken
up
The lots are assessed at 500 apiece
1
Mr. Kalbfus.
| Mr. kalbfus said there was no definite
operating plan for the tract.
Il would do anything with them"
| But you really want to let them lie
there until crowdlng population
| moves out there"
| Mr.. George asked about loans.
| Did your friends in the Louise Home
| lepd you the money!"
| Mr.. Kalbfus uttered an exclamation of
/ rY,rfc 10 hn no M Fri
the Louise Home
! Mr.. George asked him IL his friends
| In the trustees of the home had loaned
| him money. The witness said his loans
| with the Louise Home trustees had been
| made by a broker.
| Mr.. George said: TT looks to me as II
you are getting too much money or you
are getting real estate at too low a
| price. 1t looks to me as il William
Corcoran Hill was selling you real
| estate for too little money
For what purpose?'
''Oh. you'll have to tell us that"
You'll have to draw your own con-
| clusions if you want facts"
"Oh, We have the facts
Then ! cannot draw your conclusions
| Mr. George asked who are the Cor
corans?"
Mr.. Kalbfus said he was no authority
on the Corcoran family. and in reply
to query as to the heirs. Mr.. Kalbfus
said: Il don't know the heirs of every
one in the United States"
! The name of the chairman for the
President Wilson inauguration was
| brought into the quiz
| William Corcoran Eustis Is a Cor
coran, isn't he?"
] Il believe So
| The Arlington Hotel site. said bv the
witness to be part of the "Corcoran
interest, was taken up Mr.. Glover
it was said. had testified the site sold
| for $3.50 foot. about 81. 300. 900.
Mr. kalbfus was asked to show the
assessment on the property.
Arlington Hotel Land Assessment
| THE east twenty feet of lot M. 10
assessed at $40 foot. The rest ia ar "a
foot. Little lots on / street tbers 70
at $2.75 a foot"
| MIR. Kalbfus asked to be allowea 70 ~
plain the assessment.
| unexplained, that looks ridicu,ousn
| Judge Prouty asked to hear IN
THE property has taken rand r,sa
The assessment was made thraa vaars
ago. The hotel people paid an imnenss
price. AS consequence of the nrnjac.
| ton OF the hotel every other nr,,.o,.,,