The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-18
DEFENDS RIGHT TO
KEEP MONTICELLO
Jefferson Levy Appears Before
Senate Committee to Re
sist Reed Bill.
MRS. LITTLEToN TO Be HEARD
New Yorker Shocked at Action
OF Virginia General
Assembly.
MRS. LITTLET0N TO Be HEARD
Especial to The Tines.Dispatcl,l

lopcCiui 10 INC llrneS -D!Spatcn.I
Washington. March 1T.-The right oil
Jefferson NJ. Levy, OF New York. 10 re-
tain ownership CT Monticello. the home
OF Thomas Jefferson. was vigorously
defended before tho SENATE Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds. Of
which Senator Swanson. OF Virginia. IL
chairman. ut n hearing to-day on the
resolution introduced about week
ago by Senator Reed to have the gov
eminent purchase the historic home
Judge X. r. w. Duke. of Chariottes-
vile. counsel for Mr. Levy, explained
.ullv 70 the committee the reasons
why Levy should be allowed TO retain
Monticello and keep II open 20 the
public. 1ic explained the deep In
justice which would be done the New
YORKER by taking away from him the
property which his ancestors have pre-
served in original condition for many
years.
Congressman Levy and his counsel
had their innings today, in which they
deplo""d the resolution passed by the
Virginia General Assembly favoring
me purchase OF Monticello by the gov
crnment.
At The conclusion Of Judge Dukes
argument the committee adjourned to
meet on Thursday. when Mrs Little
ton viii present her side OF :he argu-
n"nt before the committee.
MIR. Levy. in cplying to questions
put bN senator Reed. member OF the
committee. declared that he had not
changed from his position OF declining
I" accent tho pIHvious Offer OF $icC,-
COO FOR Monticello.
j am greatly shocked to learn that
Tie Virginia Legislature: passed the
resolution advocating the purchase OF
Monticello by the Federal government.
! believe they should at least have
DIr
10 appear and state my side OF the stu.
alton 10 them" said Congressman Levy
II hope this Congress viii not adopt
measures to acquire Monticello by con-
demnation proceedings. ! want TO pre-
serve the historic property and keep
it open to tho public as it Is at pres
cut. I don't know what I shall do If
Congress passes laws TO purchase Mon
ticcllo by condemnation. but II Con-
Sress does pass this resolution TO buy.
Monticello. may place q price on the
property II that appears to be the de-
,naud OF public sentiment"
AT the conclusion Of the hearing Mrs.
Jittleton declared that all that Judge
Duke had brough; out was tie fact
that Levy waa willing to sell Month
cello. but wanted a good price for 1t.
I'm my opinion all Mat Mr.. Levy and
his counsel Judge Duke, did to-day.
was TO cXtoll the virtues OF Levy in
preserving the property, explain the
enormous value Of the property, and
really tell the committee that the gov
eminent could have the property If it
wished, but must pay highly for it,"
declared Mrs. Littlcton.
II believe that what Levy wants is
70 have the government pay him about
Sl,000,0o0 for Monticello. and pass him
q vote of thanks for preserving the
place. and that l will use my utmost
efforts TO see that IL never does. /
VIII be present at the hearing next
Thursday before the committee. when
] Will be heard. and I believe that the
committee. after hearing the facts
which I have gathered after several
months effort, will agree with me that
the government should at once take
possession of Monticello and not at any
thing like the cxorbitant price ask ed
by MIR. Levy
The resolution introduced by Sen
ator Reed, of Missouri. last week en-
braces the resolution passed 10y tho
Virginia Assembly. and advocates the
purchase of Monticello at once by the
government. G.. II. NJ.