The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1943-05-06
Federal court to get
action for Richland-
Hanford evacuees

Declaring that the full power OF
his court will be used to protect
the rights Of owners of Richland,
Hanford and White Bluffs prop
erty which is being taken as sites
: for government projects, Federal
Judge Lewis B. SchWellenbach
Tuesday afternoon demanded
from government attorneys an
explanation of why appraisal re-
ports are being delayed.
Bernard II. Ramsey Of the de-
partment Of justice office in Port
land said the action on the defense
area involves the biggest con-
domination suit in the history OF
the United States. He assured the
court that the government was in
sympathy with the appeal Of prop
erty owners.
Parke Brings Action
After reviewing a motion asking
the court to instruct the govern
ment to file declarations of taxi
ing Immediately, the court con-
tinued the case until May IS,
when officials in charge of the
project assured him that the docu-
ments should be ready within a
week or 10 days.
Action was brought by Mr.. and
Mrs. Alex Parke Of White Bluffs
and Isabella b. Burns Of White
Bluffs. Mr.. and Mrs. ParlSe were
represented by Charles L. Powell
of Kennewick and Mrs. Burns by
Lloyd Wiehl Of Yakima. Edward
Crowley of Spokane and Ramsey
represented the government.
Judge Rebukes Spokesman
Powell and SWiehl, said their
clients needed money to rent or
buy new homes, and they feared
the government would let the un-.
tended lands revert to the owners
creating great financial losses.
Questioned by Judge Schwellen-
bach, Norman G. Fuller, assistant
project manager, said that no as
surance had been given that the
government would take UP the
options. He said that he had no
indications that the government
would abandon the project.
Judge Schwellenbach rebuked
Fuller when he objected to the
courts proposal to consider the
neediest cases first. Fuller told
Judge Schwellenbach such a pro-
cedure would upset the office
routine.
Government insistence upon
exactness in routine often slowed
up necessary action" the judge
retorted. .-' r~..
Court 70 Hear Cases
In his effort to speed the pro
cess Of getting payments made,
Judge Schwellenbach said he
would attempt to hear few land
cases during this term of court.
Attorneys estimated that 400 90
500 cases may be referred TO the
court.
The judge asked Fuller why
petition for immediate possession
of further government action.
had been filed so far in advance
The petition was granted Febru-
airy %. Fuller said the action had
been taken to protect army en-
gineers although construction had
not been started until two weeks
ago.
The assistant manager did not
deny the charge that project staff
members had told residents OF
the area they could go on relief
4 they could not finance purchas-
ing or renting of a new place. He.
said that unfortunate statements.
had been made.
Threats Denied
Wiehl said one resident had re-,
'eived a check for $500 for his
property. He said the option
vas received on March 10, was
accepted on March 20 by Col.
D'Brian, the check was made out
March % and received by the
'wner April 80.
Ramsey denied that the govern
nent was threatening those who
efused to accept the governments
'ffer with greatly delayed pay
nents and pushing through the
'ayments for those who accepted
he appraisal. He insisted the
ase was an isolated case. Fuller
eported that three others had re-
eived their payments.