Evening star., 1926-09-12
LAND PRICE LIMIT
DELAYS PROJECTS
Planning Commission Finds
1t Cannot Buy Park Sites at
rs Pct. Above Assessment.

Development of the park system of
sition of new areas to be added to it,
is facing stagnation as a result of
the action of Congress in prohibiting
the purchase of any new lands, the
price of which was greater than %
per cent over the assessed value as
shown on the District of Columbia
records. While 1t is known that the
officials of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission will make
a strong plea to the bureau of the
budget to have the ban lifted by the
inclusion of a provision in the next
appropriation estimates to Congress
for it's repeal, the fact remains that
the Park Commission cannot go for
ward in planning park extensions at
this time.
One of the greatest projects in this
years purchasing program, which has
reached the deadlock point, so far as
stopping the work of the commission
is concerned, is that of Fort SlOcum,
one of the old defenses of Washington
during the Civil War. This is planned
as one of the links in the proposed
fort drive around the District of CO.
lumbia, and there is great desire
breastworks, still standing, are de-
stroyed by the inroadS of home build
ers. At the present time the land is
in the wild state, but home construc-
ton is crowding it's very borders. 1t
is located just west of Blair road, in
the vicinity of RittenhouSe street.
Contains Eight Acres.
This piece of property contains APP
prOXimately eight acres, and the pres
ent owners are asking from rs to 20
cents square foot for it. Being in
an area as yet undivided for building
purposes the assessment on it is very
low, and the price asked is approx
mately three times the assessed value.
or 800 per cent. When the officials of
the planning commission initiated dis
cussing with the owners for the pur-
chase of the property, it was disclosed
that they paid twice the assessed
value, and were merely asking an
increase of so per cent. 1t became
very clear to the Government officials
that the owners could not be asked
to take less than they paid for the
property.
There are two other areas under
consideration, both in the northeast
section of the city, which are among
lIIOoc COIllIlS uilUeT Iu0 COIlSToSSlOIidl
ban, and which must be put aside
either until Congress repeals the law
or becomes apparent that it will be
useles for the commission to go ahead.
Two sections of land now are under
condemnation proceedings. one of
| these just west of Sixteenth street in
| the Piney Branch area, and another
| just west of Georgia avenue, small
| addition to the present Fort stevens
| Reservation, which marks the site on
which President Lincoln stood, and
| was under fire during the attack by
the Confederate troops on the National
| Capital 1t is the belief that the con-
demnation jury will fix the prices or
| these two parcels within the Zo-cent
| provision.
100000 Fund Expected.
OF the $500. 900 allowed the commits.
| sion this year for park land purchases
| Congress did except S1oO,OO0 or the
amount from the 20 per cent lim1ta-
ton, but it is conceded that this will
! not go very far in acquisition OF any
parcels Of great size. At the present
| time it appears likely that the other
| $3.50 900 will have to go back to the
! Treasury unless Congress-, after re-
| ceiying a report Of the situation, de-
cides to lift the ban.
| Insistence of Congress on the reten-
| ton of this provision will mean, prac-
, tically, that the Park and Planning
| Commission will cease to exist as the
official land purchasing body for the
Federal Government here, for 1t will
| be quite useless to continue to appro-
pirate funds which cannot be spent.
| The Park and Planning Commission
| originally was started merely as a
purchasing agency, and its activities
as a planning commission have been
| but recently enlarged. so that If the
| purchasing feature is removed by
| notification, it will merely fill the role
tof an advisory body on city and park
| planning.
The Planning Commission sought
several weeks ago to use the con
demnation law to get around the
stipulation of Congress. but Con-
troller General McCarl informed the
| commission that 1t could not be done.
| To allow this, it was pointed out.
would be merely "A subterfuge TO
nullify the act of Congress.
! AS the matter stands now commits
| sion officials are up against a stone
| wall, and will have to lay the facts
] directly before Congress at the next