The Washington times., 1913-11-13
EXPECT ACTION ON
PARK LANDS SOON
Speedy Termination of Delay
Likely as Result of Refer
ence to Attorney General.

A speedy termination Of the delay in
the approval by President Wilson Of the
Capital Park extension condemnation
awards is expected as a result of the
latest reference of this matter 10 At
torney General McReynolds. 1t is de-
cIared today that instead of referring
the whole matter of the validity Of the
ss.ao4,435 condemnation awards, the
President merely has referred certain
objections made by Ben Johnson, chair
man of the District Committee.
Attorney General McReynolds pre-
. vious had appeoved these awards and
recommended their payment. This &C
ton was taken after an extended in
vestigation by the department. To take
contrary action now. attorneys inter
ested in the case point out, would be to
reverse himself, and in effect, to over
rule the courts which have passed on
the matter. They do not believe the
Attorney General has received any evil
dence that would prompt hi INTO rec
ommend such action.
In Beach's Hands.
The present status of me matter is
that Chairman Johnson's letter is in
The hands of Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Beach. who has not gone into the
matter fully enough TO make report
10 the Attorney General. The latter is
awaiting this report before referring
the metter back to the President with
a recommendation for action.
At the White House and the Depart
nent of Justice no inkllng of the nature
of Johnson's objections will be given
out. Chairman Johnson will not discuss
the matter. Other members of the Dis
a. sA.. ua11--
although they declare that Mr.. john
sons position with reference to the
awards Of condemnation juries in WASH
ington is well known.
He has repeatedly declared that there
have been two methods Of arriving at
assessments of Washington property,
one for. the purpose of taxation, and
the other for the purpose of condemna-
ton, when any movement is made for
the purchase of property by the Gov
eminent.
Should Have Heating.
Attorneys for the individual property
owners, whose property has been held
UP 70 rseveral months by the delay in
approving the award, believe that they
should be given q hearing IL there is any
Intention of giving serious consideration
to Johnson's objections.
They Ceclare tnaf no substantial eS-
cepticns can be made to the awards
which have been made by the condem-
llation junries and approved by the Su-
preme Court of the District and the De-
partment Of Jistice. The legal point
raised that the appropriation of s2,s23--
e7c-35 in the last ,Sundry Civil Bill was
invalid because of a previous provision
that only $4,000 year should be appro-
priated, Is not taken seriously by attor-
neys interested in the case, because
they hold the provisions OF the earlier
law inconsistent with those of the lat
ter law were repealed.
Wants to Know All.
At the White House IT is declared that
the delay has been due to the Presi-
dents desire to go to the bottom of
the matter.
District affairs were discussed at
length this morning in a conference be-
tween Congressman johnson and Presi-
dent Wilson Although refusing to
state the subjects under discussion, Mr..
Johnson declared that the matter of
The awards for property needed for
the Union Station plaza did not come
up.
1t is understood that the President
sounded Mr.. johnson as to the prospect
Of success for the alley bill, a copy of
which was left with him several DAYS
ago by COMMISSIONS Newman The
measure is designed to abolish the
slums in Washington. and has the
hearty support of Mrs. Wilson.