The Washington herald., 1914-03-19
PLAZA AWARDS
DISAPPROVED
Some of Them Seriously Ex-
cessive," Declares Presi-
dent Wilson.
SMALL OWNERS SHOCKED
Chief Executives Action Follows Spe-
cial Investigation Made by Depart
ment of Justice Agent.

President Wilson yesterday disapproved
all OF the awards in the Union Station
plaza condemnation cases OH the ground
that some of these awards are seriously
excessive.
In statement issued at the White
House 1t was stated that the Presidents
action came as the result of an inves-
tigation conducted by an agent of the
Department OF Justice.
The Presidents disapproval of the
awards was distinct shock to the III
small property owners who for many
months have waited anxiously for the
final word from the Chief Executive and
who, in view OF the fact that the De-
partment of Justice previously had
%. KID" the awards. were certain that
MIR. Wilson would put the stamp OF his
approval on their claims.
These small property owners now are
practically thrown at the mercy of
spectators. who. II is feared, will take
advantage OF the situation, purchase the
claims at pittances and later make big
profits by selling them to the govern
ment.
Laid to Representative Johnson
Mr. Wilson's action in disappearing the
awards is laid directly at the door Of
Representative Ben Johnson. Of Ken
lucky. chairman of the House District
Committee. who is the originator of the
charges that some of the claims. es-
pecially that of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad. were grossly exorbitant."
johnson had a conference with the Pres
ident little more than a week ago.
at a time. when. il was understood. the
President was ready to approve the
awards.
At this conference. 1t is understood,
the chairman of the House District Com
mlttee prevailed on the President to
decline to sanction the claims.
What will be the next step in the pro-
ceedinGs could not be learned last night
President Wilson. in announcing his ac-
tion yesterday voiced his regret that
he could not do as he caid he wished
he could. approve the claims of the small
property owners. As a matter of fact.
the President recently endeavored to take
steps in this direction. In the absence
Of any legal provisions permitting such
a procedure, however, the idea was
abandoned.
The special Investigator for the De-
partment Of Justice. in his report.
charges that the award made to the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad exceeded by
s2Oc."0 a proper valuation of the prop
crty. which Is practically substantial
ton Of the charge repeatedly made by
Representative johnson.
Congressional legislation will be re-
quired before new proceeding can be
brought 10 obtain the property
More Than s3,OOO,OOO Involved.
The awards involve more than $S.VpoOo
The property owned by the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad alone amounts 10 ST.
l5I5. CO.,
The statement issued at the White
House follows:
The President found il impossible. in
the face of the investigation by the De-
paTtment Of Justice, to approve the
awards in the Union Station plaza con-
demnatiOn cases.
"A thorough inquiry conducted by an
agent Of the Department of Justice who
had no interest or prejudice one way or
the other. revealed the fact that some of
the awards were seriously excessive. The
President would have been glad to have
approved such OF the awards as did not
appear excessive. those being for the
greater part small properties In the hands
of individual hOmeowners, but he found
no provision by which he could approve
some OF the awards and disapprovei
others.
Because of the degree of excess in
those awards which he could not properly
approve, it was therefore necessary 10
disapprOve all of them