Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-25
ARB0RETUM SITE /
PRICES ATTACKED
Luce Voices Warning il
House That 1t May Be
Located Outside D. c.

A poignant warning to real estate
SPECTATORS in the District that Con-
grcSs may locate the proposed abo-
return outside the confines OF the Dis
triCt of Columbia. to avoid being held
I'D" on land prices, was sounded yes
terday by Representative Luce Of Mas
SachuSettS during consideration by the
House of the District appropriation bill.
Il may also warn the men con-
cerned." Mr.. Luce said. that II the
hold-up continues. the Government may
see At to stop any further work in the
dredging Of the AnacosHa River and
the development OF the land in the
upper reaches thereof"
Mr.. Luce'S remarks were occaSioned
by the reading of provision in the
engine house in the vicinity of Con-
necticut and Nebraska avenues. in
which the limitation of IS per cent
above the assessed value fixed for the
purchase price was under discussion.
Asks Data Of Simmons.
Requesting information from Repre-
sentative Simmons, chairman OF the
District subcommittee on appropria-
tons, as to the progress being MADE
ION the question of handling pur-
cllases Of property in the District Mr..
Luce said:
Il would explain that my committee
duties and other relations bring me IN
touch with the problem and are bring
ing home to me forcibly some OF the
difficult situations that are arising Last
wear We passed q bill. which became law
for the purchase of land for an arbore-
tum. BY reason of the position taken
rfaip raol nSfafa nrnFnntPrS
we're held up in that project. Very
the bill provided that this
land might be that which We had Cspe-
cially In view, the Mount Hamilton site.
Or ii might be elsewhere in or near the
and 1t may be we'll for me
now to give notice that the permission
10 go elsewhere in the District or to go
outside Of the District may be resorted
TO If it proves impossible to buy the
rest of this land at reasonable price.
may also warn the men concerned
hat X the hold-up continues the Gov
eminent may see At to stop any further
work in the dredging of the Anacostia
River and the development of the land
n the upper reaches thereof.
But I am concerned with two other
situations that / think should be
brought TO the attention OF the COM
mittee. and possibly in view Of them the
chairman Of this subcommittee may
help us 10 determine what ought TO be
done.
Cites Prices Asked.
I'm the case Of the land that is to be
bought. two squares at the lower end
IF the hill. for the new Botanic Gar
den. the bide were opened the other
day and there was not one piece OF
in those two squares that was
offered to us at less than 100 per cent
above the assessed valuation. One of
he more important pieces Of property
vas offered to us at between 300 per
cent and 400 per cent above the as
sessed valuation. The average OF the
bids submitted to us was over 200 per
,ent above the assessed valuation. This, |
Of course. is nothing more or less than a
loldup Of the Government OF the United
States and an attempt to eytort from
he public Treasury money that should
not go for that purpose: and. strongly
Of the hope as am that the Botanic
Garden may be speedily removed from
It's present situation. for one should
De very reluctant 10 consent 10 paying
any such extortionate prices as are de-
and ! am ready now. unless
changes in the matter. to in
Lroduce another bill providing differ
ent site for the Botanic Garden.
But 1t seems most unfortunate that
ne should be obliged TO sacrifice the
locations for our public i'm
and go TO less desirable
ocations by reason OF a system of as
'essment and system Of condemnation
which mulct the Govern
nj &c
he situation.
Il understand a bill has ,een intro
iuced for improving the condemnation
proceedings OF the District. VIII the
Gentleman inform us, II he knows, of
any steps that are being taken or can
he gentleman suggest any steps that
ought TO be taken TO meet the condi-
lions presented by the unfair. unjust,
and wrong system OF assessing property
IN the District of Columbia"
i think the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts tMr Luce has very we'll
stated the situation that exists here in
and that Is that under
conditions the real estate men
are holding up the Government and
Lhe people OF the District OF Columbia
IN the purchase OF Sites" Mr. Simmons
replied.
On this matter the gentleman and
are in complete accord / believe the
gentleman Is right In notifying these
people that II the United States can
not buy property at fair price in the
District. when there are matters that
affec, the District, sucn as the matters
The gentleman Is Interested In, then
We ought 10 go outside OF the District
Or stop the activity.
we are presented with q strange Sit
uation In the District. Business men,
responsible taxpayers who ought 10 be
In city development. refuse
to serve on condemnation jurjes. The
business men OF Washington either con-
nive In this hoidup or else do not resist
1t. / asked the corporation counsel why
1t was that responsible bushes men in
The community were not called upon as
witnesses OF value In condemnation
cases He said the only way he coulu
get them was TO insist that they come,
and that they came only az personal
favor. The result liz that the District Is
In the hands OF real estate speoulators
and boomers OF real estate values.
Condemnation Iuries are made up
partly of real estate men who are in
tefested In Keeping up the price OF land
In the District
Should Serve on Juries.
1T seems 10 me the District people
ought 10 have interest enough in the
development OF the city TO serve on these
lufies, and 10 see IN IT that the District
and Federal Government get 4 square
deal IN land purchases.
The gentleman from Massachusetts
asks what progress Is being made In the
buying Of land under the 1873 per cent
provision
You viii mud the names in the
hearings Ut three men who went 10 the
assessor and tried Ia get him to raise
he assessment 80 that they could sell
their land Ia the District at an in
creased price In one instance the
owner threatened the assessor with
the influence 0f member 0f Congress
that they would get his job II he did
not Increase the ahhessment