Evening star., 1913-08-11
Criticism by Committee Chair
man of Condemnation Pro-
ceedings in District.
CORPORATION COUNSEL
MAKES PROMPT DENIAL
Progress Of the Inquiry Into Local
Government Affairs
House Probers.

Representative johnson. chairman OF
the House District committee. today
charged that practically every condem-
nation jury in the past five years in the
District of Columbia has been packed; |;
sometimes In the interest of one party,
sometimes another. but always to the
detriment of the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Johnson made this charge to Assist
ant Corporation Counsel Smith. who re-
turned a calm reply that there was not
O word of truth in any such contention.
Previous to the expression Of Mr.. John
sons startling opinion Mr.. Smith had
told the five members OF the committee
who were present at the hearing that OBJ
Jections had been made to the constant
temperance of certain men on condem-
nation juries. but that the objections had
been made by property owners, who COM
planned bitterly that the jury was under
valrling their land. and that the price to
be paid was far too low. Mr.. Smith said
the jurymen, always with the good of
the District of Columbia in their minds,
had been prone to get the price away
down.
Purpose of Inquiry Disclosed.
The purpose Of the testimony of the
past two days regarding the 152 men who
have comprised 141 condemnation juries
was thus disclosed today, although AS
sistant Corporation Counsel Smith dis
counted some Of Representative John
sons fiat packed jury statements by
explaining In advance that there are
court records showing that objections to
packed juries'' had been made because
the jurymen were getting the prices down
too far.
Representative Johnson did most Of the
1nterrogatng at today's session, which
was shorter than usual. At the close of
The morning hour the committee adjourn
ed. and Assistant Corporation Counsel
smith promised to produce records to up
hold his contentious. Until it Is known
how long the democratic caucus on cur
Sency will continue. the committee has
no set plan Of meeting.
Condemnation Juries the Topic.
assistant Corporation Counsel Francis
Smith appeared as a witness, bringing
ehe list of jurors in condemnation cases
IN the. past five years, which he had
taken with him for verification follow
ing the close of the hearing Saturday
He read into the record the list of 152
Jurors. comprising 141 juries, which was
published I'm The Star of Saturday
Has any one attorney appeared in
these condemnation trials with any de-
erty owners?" asked Representative
johnson.
DIR. Smith said he did not believe any
attorney had appeared with any sig
nifcant regularity.
Mr.. Johnson asked for a list of wit
pesses subpoenaed by the District Of
Columbia which will be furnished. and
with 1T will possibly be submitted a
list Of witnesses subpoenaed by the
other side.
Mr. Johnson asked if Mr.. Smith re-
called that the witnesses were the
same on either side of any case.
81 don't recall that" said Mr.. Smith,
"but 1t can be ascertained by the rec
ord"
The chairman asked Mr.. Smith to send
a list Of the witnesses. attorneys. ETC., to
the committee by tomorrow morning
Mr. Smith made voluntary statement
TO the effect that he had never made any
suggestion to the United States marshal
as To selecting juries. and In nearly all
cases had no acquaintance with jurymen
until he met them In the case. He spoke
of the methods of selecting juries. ETC.,
and said he remembered once joining In
an exception against Thomas w. Smith
In the case OF an entrance to the Zoo"
His General Aim.
lie said the general aim in his con-
''would get the street through. to comply
with the law and get 4 verdict which
would stand
lie said there had been complaint
against the jures and the frequency of
service. and that the complaints had come
from the property owners. because they
were too conservative.
THE property owners complained" he
said. because these men were so imbued
with the Districts good that they would
not pay high prices" He said objections
Barnard's court, and could be proved by
. the record.
Mr.. Smith alleged that Justice Barnard
had been appealed to because OF the fire.
9uencE OF service of some OF the jurors.
IN an EFFORT by property holders to get
higher prices. but he said Justice Barn
ara had held that experience in jury mat
tiers does not bar a man from serving.
MT smith explained some of the tech
picaiites In court procedure in condemna-
ton cases.
Committees Contention.
The contention of the COMMITTEES IA
that these juries have been packed"
said Representative Johnson Some
times In the interest of the prom
erty owners. sometimes in the in
terest OF people who have to have their
property assessed for benefits. and that
the corporation counsers Office has ac-
Quiesced calmly; sometimes to the de-
triment of the property owners; some-
times to the detriment of the abutting
property"
"All / can say is. respectfully that
there Is absolutely no foundation 10
that statement" said Mr. Smith, as he
looked squarely at Representative
johnson.
These things may reach the courts" "
replied Mr. johnson. They have done
wrong. perhaps not willingly, but they
would have done wrong If you had pro-
tested and they had not noticed the
appeal"
Again Makes Denial.
Mr.. Johnson and Mr.. Smith spoke OF
testimony of Saturday. Mr. Johnson
asked IL he had not said no objection
had ever been made by property own
ers.
Not at ALL was the reply There
have been frequent objections"
He will furnish lists of objections. he
said.
1T is clear there are instances where
people in control here find it to adyan :
tage 10 have property under price
sometimes over a price" said Repre-
sentative Johnson.
The committee then adjourned.