Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-05
GARRISON. MUST DECIDE
HOW TO ACQUIRE LAND
Shores of Anacostia River
Wanted by Government
for Public Park.

Secretary Garrison has been called
on TO decide whether certain lands on
the shores of the Anacostia river re-
CURED by the government for the i'm
provement of that river shall be pur-
chased at the owners figures or
whether they shall be acquired by con-
domination proceedings. The property
in question is located between 18th and
23d streets and II and i streets south.
east. and is more or less submerge ed.
IL consists of part of square 1117.
square 1924. square 1881 square 1I47
and the square south Of square ll4e
These five squares Of ground belong to
Sidney Bieber. who bought them from
the United States government in 1904
and 1906 by congressional authorize.
ton for the total sum OF 81. eO3. a valu.
alton fixed at the time by a special
board of army officers and approved
by the War Department
They are included within the limits
Of the area of the park to be estab-
lished along both banks of the Ana
costa river from the Anacostia bridge
to the District line near the boys in.
dustrial school.
Congress has approved plans prepared
by a board of army engineers for the
reclamation and development of the
named and has made annual appropria-
tons for their execution. The District
OF Columbia appropriation act OF
March ). 1913, making appropriation.
TOT that project. authorized the Secre'
tary OF war to acquire, by purchase ol
condemnation for highway purposes
the Zee simple and absolute title to the
lands along both sides Of the river.
Wants $4,000 for Land.
Col. Langfitt, the engineer officer Il
charge of theSproject. has arranged Il
begin the work of Improvement at thu
southern end of the line and to tha
end opened negotiations with Mr.
| bieber for the sale Of the five square,
of land in his name. Mr.. Bieber Of
| Tered to convey the lands to the United
ported to the War Department that, un
der all the circumstances of the case
| he considered 1T a reasonable offer.
He found on inquiry at the Distric
building that the property is now asses
sed for taxes in the sum of IS, 7S5. which
| he said, would make its true value abou
1 $1217S. and possibly more He addet
that the District assessor had expressed
the opinion that the title to the propert!
| could not be acquired by condemnation
4 for any less sum than that now fixed b,
the owner for its sale to the government
Col. Langfitt accordingly recommended
the acceptance OF Mr.. Bieber's offer
| Assistant Secretary Breckenridge of tn,
| War Department. to whom the matte
| was referred, did not agree altogethe
| with the conclusions Of the engineers III,
returned the papers to Gen. Bixby. chic
of engineers, with the following indorse
| ment:
Objects to Price for Land.
Although this land costs more TO OBJ
| tain by condemnation, 1 think the de
partments record is made more secur,
| thereby. 1t Is unfortunate that w,
| should be required to buy back land fo
thrice the price paid for it when ii wa.
sold by us some years ago."
On reconsideration Of all the circum
stances. Gen. Bixby agreed with Mr.
| Breckenridge and returned the paper
| to him with a recommendation that tn
District Commissioners be requested t
| institute condemnation proceedings TO
the requirement of the land. Owing t
| the delay in the requirement of the lam
likely to follow legal proceedings AM
| the desire to prosecute the work of rive
1 improvement at once. Il was decided t
leave the final settlement Of the question
to Secretary Garrison, who. accordingly
has arranged to have a conference witt
Mr.. Bieber about it Monday.