Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-26
Gives House District Commit
tee Further Details on Real
Estate Holdings.
GEORGE C. HUMPHREY
EXPLAINS BUYING LAND
Adjournment Is Taken Until Tues.
day, When Samuel 7. Kalbfus
Will Probably Testify.

After q desultory examination Of As
SCISSOR William P. Richards and George C.
Humphrey, a builder, who bought land on
Goth street from Messrs. Richards. Nc
Kenzie and kalbfus of the assessment
board. the House committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia adjourned before noon
today, determining to meet again Tues
day, and probably place Samuel T. Kalo-
fus, assistant assessor, on the witness
stand.
The committee was not able today to
make as much progress as 1t had made
on two previous days for the reason that
important facts and figures had not been
prepared for the committee by the wit
nesses, and these data will require a day
or two for their completion.
Mr.. Richards gave further details re-
garding his real estate holdings and Mr.
Humphrey was examined regarding the
price of land and the cost of buildings
street near Belmont street. When the
committee adjourned Representative
George was endeavoring to ascerta n
whether Mr.. Humphreys firm had pro-
which were erected on the land, and the
lack Of cost figures brought the exami-
nation to a close.
y
When Mr.. Richards began he said he
could not give a list of lawyers who had
appeared before the board of assistant
assessors, as he had not time to prepare
it. He gave figures on his property on
Elm street. saying he paid $1,000 for a
house and lot there. Two small houses
on Linden street, he said, had been rails
ed In assessment from $1,145 each, to
q hor, oo1, hot nd
On some street property, he said, he
had not added any improvements. and yet
the assessment had been jumped from ST.,
$50 to 5000.
ards il any property mentioned is for
sale.
My home is not" he said, "but don't
know what I'd do about the others. If
got good offer ! might consider it."
Mr. George explained that the commit
tee wants to get from Mr.. Richards
complete statement Of all his real estate
transactions since 1900, including all the
papers. deeds of trust, etc.. on any and
all property in which he has or has had
any interest at ALL.
Mr.. Richards was excused until Tues
day, with the understanding he would
have statements as to his real estate
transactions.
George G. Humphrey on Stand.
George c. Humphrey, a contractor Of
81 E street northeast, was called. He
said he had been connected with the
firm Of Humphrey & Palmer am
Humphrey & Davis at various times.
The inquiry turned on land owned by
Richards and the other assessors near
Rock Creek b:idge, the '2Oth street
property"
He said the land was offered him by a
man named Snyder, working for William
H. Walker
Land Sold for $12,sOo
Humphrey purchased the land he said,
through Nicholson & Mccormick. Both
firms, he said, We're interested in the
commission. on the sale, which was made
for SIP 500 in July, 1911.
The land lay on Goth street, near Bel
mont street, comprising lots SO4, sos
S06 and S14.
1T was good purchase" he said.
Mr.. George asked him whose opinion he
had sought regarding the wisdom Of the
deal Humphrey mentioned man named
Bayne. He also said it was bought for
cash, In check to real estate firm.
Nine small houses We're erected on the
property.
They We're sold later at $500 for two
eight-room houses, and seven six-room
homes brought somewhat less.
Representative Johnson asked what is
the condition of the street in front Of the
houses.
Only fair: 1t is road made Of old
stun. was the reply. 1T was almost
impossible when we bought there"
lie said the sewer systems are there;
that water has been placed there since
other lots now owned by Mr.. Richards
and his associates
improvements on Kalorama Road.
Mr.. Johnson asked about improvements
made on Kalorama road.
As to the selling price on the houses
under Representative Georges question
Ing. Mr.. Humphrey said he could not tell
whether the land had been sold by his
firm at profit or loss. The two eight
room houses sold for $500 apiece and
seven six-room houses at $1,000, a total
of 5000.
How much did the buildings costT'
Mr.. George pressed the question: It
persisted In saying there is no way or
| telling whether the houses and land
| were sold at profit or loss.
Mr.. George asked him IL his figures
could be obtained
IF it's right l WILL" said Mr.. Pun
phrey.
There was a colloquy between him, Rep
resentative George and Representative
johnson. The witness said he did not
want to divulge his secrets. but after a
| suggestion from Representative johnson
as to the extent of the power of the
House Mr.. Humphrey promised to bring
| the figures.
URGE CONFEDERATE SHAFT.