Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-04
MCCARL DEMANDS
MARKET DEAL DATA
FROM COMMISSIONERS

Continued From First Page)
mitted today, after the conference, that
I'VE are in hot water regardless of
whatever We do in the present circum-
stances He then referred all inquiries
to the engineer department.
Admits IrreguIarity.
IT wouldn't call our acts illegal. they
are more irregular than illegal" Maj
Robb said yesterday He appeared con-
fident that Controller General McCarl
would regard them as such and so re-
port to Congress, with a result that
payment of vouchers would be held up
If were to make immediate reply
to the Controller General" he said, Il
would simply state that We have tried
in good faith to carry out the mandate
Of Congress within the limit of the
appropriation"
Maj. Rohb did not make public the
letter of the Union Market Terminal
Inc, the signature Of which Mr.. McCarl
reported was 'illegible' He explained
however, that it touched upon all the
facts revealed about the negotiations
IN The Star and in a recent letter to
the Commissioners from Edwin S. Hege
Of the Federation of Citizens Associa-
ton, which enclosed McCarl's informal
ruling.
Unable to Meet Cost.
The chief reason the Commissioners
have been unable to acquire title to the
whole of the two squares within the
limitation of the appropriation 5as
directed by Congress. Maj Robb said
was because at the outset the District
had to pay approximately $500 more
for certain lots than was expected. The
condemnation verdict for these lots
was $174,o00, as against an expected
sI22, 900.
The act OF Congress specifies that the
whole Of the two squares must be
acquired by purchase or condemnation
before the market sheds can be erected
and the streets closed to traffic. This
the Commissioners admit cannot be
done within the limit Of the $500, 900
appropriation.
The particular explanation which
Controller Gen. McCarl undoubtedly
seeks has reference to the financial ar
rangement entered into with the re-
frigerating company, which has made
concessions to the District in order to
have the market established on part
Of its property close to the terminal
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Deal Is Outlined.
With only about $4,000 remaining
from the appropriation, the Commits
sioners were in position of being I'M
able to erect decent market sheds, 1t
was explained, unless they made a deal
with the refrigerating company. The
company agreed to let the Commission
ers hold in escrow for a period of two
years, pending a further appropriation
from Congress, lot numbered 300, the
Commissioners being unable to pay the
condemnation price awarded.
In addition to this, the refrigerating
company agreed to make it financially
possible for the District to acquire title
to another lot, the owner having ap-
pealed from the low condemnation YER
dict. Rather than see the market site
deal 60 through, the refrigerating COM
pany has undertaken to pay the ex-
pected increase in the price Of the lot,
between $4,000 and $4,000.
Mai. Robb said yesterday 1t Is not
the intention of District authorities to
close the streets on the market site,
since their use for parking purposes is
essential.
The result Of the controller generals
move it was believed. will require the
Commissioners to give publicity to all
details of expenditures thus far made
and other phases Of negotiations for
the market site which might be
pending.