ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 51 



Mr. Wood. Yes, sir; I would. 



The Chairman. Where the botanical garden is proposed to be 

 located ? 



Mr. Wood. Yes, sir. 



The Chairman. What, in ypur opinion, is that land worth? 



Mr. Johnson. You mean the average value ? 



The Chairman. Yes ; the average, by and large, of the 400 acres — 

 $250.000 : is that the price ? 



Mr. Wood. That should read " 300," instead of " 200 " ; I think 

 perhaps it was a mistake of the typewriter. It is proposed that the 

 appropriation shall be $340,000. 



The Chairman. Is that the price at which the property is held by 

 the owners? 



Mr. Wood. I think it could be secured within those figures. 



The Chairman. As it stands, what do you think is the value of the 

 400 acres of land ? 



Mr. Wood. It is worth from $500 to $600 or $700 an acre ; $700 an 

 acre on an average, I should say, would buy the whole thing. 



The Chairman. I do not mean taking a particular section of it, 

 but taking the whole 400 acres as one parcel. Do you think it is 

 worth $200,000? 



Mr. Wood. Yes : more than that. 



The Chairman. Is it worth $300,000 ? 



Mr. Wood. Yes. It is assessed at $211,000, which is two-thirds of 

 its value. 



The Chairman. Or claimed to be ? 



Mr. Wood. Yes ; claimed to be. 



Mr. Johnson. What civic society do you represent ? 



Mr. Wood. The Northeast Washington Citizens' Association. 



Mr. Johnson. Are you a member of it ? 



Mr. Wood. Yes. 



Mr. Johnson. Is your membership based upon residence out there 

 or what? 



Mr. Wood. It is based upon residence and public spirit. The con- 

 stitution of the association says that any public-spirited person or one 

 interested in Northeast Washington may become a member. 



Mr. Johnson. Do you own any land out there? 



Mr. Wood. No, sir; I do not own a foot of land. Mr. Tucker, the 

 president of our association, is here, and I would like him to say a 

 word. 



The Chairman. Just a moment, so that this gentleman's testimony 

 may be connected with yours as to the intentions of the power com- 

 pany 



Mr. Wilson (interposing). If you will allow me to interrupt- 



The Chairman. I think we better have this other gentleman's tes- 

 timony first. 



Mr. Wilson. I just want to ask a question. 



The Chairman. Oh, if you desire to ask a question right on this 

 subject, you may. 



Mr. Moore. Mr. Chairman, in regard to the different prices, let 

 me say that the land to be taken comprises an area of 367 acres ; and 

 the full valuation, based on the assessors' books, is $254,520. 



The Chairman. Now, Mr. Wilson, you may ask your question. 



