Evening star., 1937-05-19
sible loss by the Gobel Co. were ex.
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dSBSIdttu.
The combined property Of the COM
pany on this site Is assessed at $70,776
and the company asked for q reduc-
ton in this assessment" said Seal.
IT the company paid $l,40O000
for this property, it was not worth
that much" he added.
The plea to wait on the Senate Dis
trict subcommittee was protested by
Representative Nichols, who said he
could see no reason for alarm" over
the action just taken.
Representative Quinn also Joined
in the protest to delay action.
Senate Hearings Cited.
THE Senate committee has been
holding hearings to expedite this case
and it seems ridiculous to appoint
another committee in the House to
conduct hearings" he said. THE
Senate hearings soon will be COM
pleted and available for this COM
mittee."
Before permitting a vote on the mo-
tion to reconsider, Chairman Norton
called for statement from Corpora
ton Counsel Seal, who was an in
terested observer.
Seal read statement he had pre-
pared last Saturday setting forth that
the effect Of the bill would be to
'prohibit the Gobel Co. from execut-
ing its construction permit, but in
sisted the bill was aimed at all in
dustries characterized as potential
nuisances"
Referring to the steps which led
up to the issuance Of the permit to
the Gobel plant, Seal said the Zoning
Commission had no alternative under
the law. The new regulations adopted
last November, he explained, would
prohibit new slaughter house from
being established In the District. The
pending legislation, however, would
take from the Zoning Commission
any question Of discretion in issuing
q permit, Seal pointed out. and pro-
hibit such operation through legisla-
tive action.
Seal Tells Of Park Projects.
Briefly, Seal outlined the park i'm
provements in the vicinity of the
Gobel property.
The District Commissioners. who
are in favor of this bill, feel it woulc
be undesirable to locate a slaughter
house there" he added.
The Commissioners would never
have issued the permit in the first
place II they had not been compelled
to do so by mandamus proceedings In
court" Seal explained. They had nc
alternative
Seal explained that after the Com.
missioners had required certain plumb.
ing qualifications for the Gobel COM
pany to meet, the firm withdrew the old
mandamus suit and filed a bill 1r
equity, claiming $5o,ooo each in dam.
ages from the three Commissioners.
During the discussion of the District
Commissioners action, Representative
Palmisano took up their defense.
Let's be fair" he said. THE Com
missioners had no alternative under
the law but to issue the permit. They
couldn't do anything else"
The question Of compensation tc
the Gobel company, repeatedly
brought up in the Senate hearings
was raised by Representative Dirksen
He pointed out the lack Of an amend.
ment to the bill providing reimburse.
ment to the slaughter house firm fol
possible loss Of this property. He sale
the bill either should carry an amend
ment Of this kind or other Legislation
should be introduced.
Seal said he was not opposed tc
reasonable compensation, but pointed
out that the Norton and King bill
we're constitutional and similar legis
lation had been upheld in Louisiana
slaughter house case.
A delegation of Southern Maryland
farmers who ship live stock to tht
Washington market is expected to leae
the parade Of witnesses before th'
Senate District Subcommittee this aft.
ernoon. These farmers, 1t Is report.
ed, will oppose the bill.
The subcommittee, incidentally
may report on the result Of its in
spection trip at Benning on Sunday
during which the members-Senator'
McCarran Of Nevada and Tydings o,
Maryland, Democrats, and Austin o.
Vermont, surveyed thu
site Of the proposed Gobel plant anc
questioned residents in the immediate
vicinity,