Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-10-03

proportion than this, notwithstanding the An
nual tax sale. The reason why the arrears Of
water tax were not included In the annual ad-
Seiuse ment Of tax sales during my two years in
once is simply this: The water-tax books came
lnto my possession wholly unrevised since thew
were hrst opened, very much Of the property
years ago, and much OF it had been subdyided
ana sold. Without the numerical book, which is
mace once in five years for purposes Of general
taxation, it was impossible to make such a re-
vision Of the water-tax books as to nren,re
tneieIiom such a list az would be legal or
asaIiaole ior the purpose of a tax sale. This
n nun book was not completed and sub
complete revision Of the water-tax books
made therefrom. Many owners of properfv
were wholly unaware OF the water tax upon il
ch nlOn had been assessed wears before its pur
owner ol such property informing him Of this
taA, WIN amount, &c. This method l knew
wonld BRING more money into the treasury than
pense OF advertising. 1 consulted in this matter
the Mayor, members of the w alter Board and of
the councils, including Mr.. Alderman Moore,
ssnd, a. agreed with me as to the advantage Of
tax sales. The result amply justified the choice
OF this method. and through its adoption NOR
man S5o,Oo OF water tax arrearages was paid
INTO the water fund during the last few months
Oh my Official term. 1, for one, am glad OF NY
dehnquency, il such it be held, in thus collect-
ing thls amount without the expense to property
owners Oh advertising for SALE "If this be trea-
s. MIR. Cranereports that on june sd he 70, nd
f,eOO houses in arrears for water rent and n
SINCE that time he has collected about one-thir .
vi tnem, by employing an extra hand. He has
the DOCKS in his posses sion an will not dis :
pute his figures, but only say that tiers are on
the books about $50 houses which are exempt
oy law from payment Of water rent. by reason
OF being occupied by the general government.
by the corporation, public schools, churche', or
CHARITABLE institutions, as the books indicated
nvvnA bAxx <nHa hocl A&~ :.
the owners, from many more the water has been
smut OF for non-payment Of rent. Outside OF
this category there are perhaps 100 or 500 on
which the rent is UNPAID and collectable. The
Taper of water mains was the only person at
my service to shut off tie water from delinquent
premises, and his other duties occupied so much
OF bis time that he could attend to this only at
odd intervals, and very often houses won d be
vacant when he went for this purpose Nit With
standing this the water rents Of over 1000 houses
were collected by me during the less thansx
ice. Surely If in more than three months Mr..
Crane has emily been able to collect one third
OF l GOO he should appreciate the fact that the
work is no sinecsre. should, however, have col.
lected the water rents more completely but for
the fact that the revision Of the tax books, the
sending ont Of circulars and receipt Of water
taxes, as before mentioned, occupied 50 much
OF my own time and that of my assistants.
9. The statement that the water rent books
are mutilated is incorrect, as mutilation means
cut, broken or destroyed" lvide Webster.) I
l LETT them, though having been ruled and
having spaces to last till 1871, and been used
four or i've years, they contain many marks and
memoranda; indeed, they would otherwise lack
very important features of usefulness There
should undoubtedly be Q new set of books, and
Mr., Cranes suggestion to that effect Is well
timed. y
7. & isstated that water mains have been laid
On which no water tax has been assessed, b 1t 10
GATE is given Of such omission. Such was the
case In some instances prior to my accession to
office, and so indicated on the books, but am
willing to be holden to the city tor the water
tax on every foot OF water main laid BY it during
my term OF office on which such tax was not
duly assessed.
That no Improvements are needed or can be
made in the water department, should be the
last one to assert. L constantly saw the need of
them, and represented the same to the city
Councils, and also in written communication to
the Senate Committee on the District of Colum-
bia, as well as by personal conference, especi-
ally the necessity Of a new main, and of the i'm
PRODUCTION Of water meters. which two sugges.
tions are embodied In the act which passed Com
gress near the close of its last session; nor do I
pretend that made all that could be made but
am content to let facts and figures show in what
condition found the affairs of my office, and in
what condition left them.
Not presuming that Mr.. Crane or yourselves
wish TO do me injustice, or to strike a random
thrust at tine late administration through me- so
this to go to your numerous readers as a sim de
act OF fair play. Very respectfully,
S. X. BOND, late Water Registrar.
WASHINGTON II nharQ