Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-11-27

The assessors report that 3,i5i personal
returns u,33i being blank) have beer
assiest REPRESENTING in value ss ies
10 Dlank,) representing s12 ,6ss, 500.
They make several suggestions relating u
The tax sy stem of the District.
| They recommend, the making of a new and
| general assessment OF real property, to begin
! the first OF January next, with a view OF
formity OF assessments than now exists; and
an amendment OF the existing tau law 10
make the beginning OF the annual assess
ment in April instead of July.
A general -appraisement, as suggested
| would. in their opinion, result in large re-
duction OF the valuation OF property in the
! District.
They report, that since the Ist instant, they
have received 2, 23i returns of personal prop
erty, amounting TO s3H ,56O, making the
whole number of returns 1888, and the value
OF property returned So, s1O,s76.
They estimate the assessments of personal
property which they are preparing to en-
which will aggregate the personal property
taxable for the current year si3, sic, SO
sgainst sl425l,426 last year, a reduction OF
The taxable property in the District, thus
estimated, is
real property. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $50 600 $50
PERSONAL property. D,s1Os76
Total.... ...-..................S1 lt 400 166
showing an increase of ~ .1s4, RS of the total
assessment OF taxable property in the Dis.
trict, as reported last year.
The operations of the Engineer Depart
ment during the past year, exclusive OF the
ordinary repairs OF streets, have been chiefly
confined to the substitution of stone, and
bituminous pavements of Washington and
Georgetown, for decayed wooden pavements,
and the completion of the Sy stem of sewerage
for Part of Tiber Valley, under appropria-
tiOns Of the last Congress, respectively of
two hundred and fifty thousand and twenty
thousands dollars, detailed statements of
which Will be found in the accompanying
report OF the Engineer.
The Engineer reports t5i 1888 square
yards of coal tar and S2,1T4.20 OF native as
phalt and asphaltum pavement to be taken
care of by the District, needing an annual
expenditure of $50, 1871 .06; ard 75S, 63i square
YARDS OF wooden Payemehts, requiring at
in the worst condition, needing immediate
repair. Not less, he reports, than 500 600
should be expended within the current year
for the repairs of wood and concrete pave
merits, ard 100000 could be probably
spent for the purpose. We recommend an
appropriation OF $500 COO.
The Engineer presents q tabulated state
ment of the receipts and expenses of the
several markets. from December I, 1876, to
Move mber I, 1871, showing the revenues to
have been 81, 904.29, and expenses, 81 ,6S5 80.
He calls attention, also, to the importance
of certain projected works of improvement,
including that of the establishment of a new
river front, and the reclamation of the
marshes bordering the city of Washington.
We invite the attention OF Congress to his
observations on this subject and to the ae-
between the President of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company and others, the Dis
trict Commissioners, and the Secretary of
War, covering report from the Office of the
Chief of Engineers.
We venture to express the hope that the
bic consideration of Congress will be
of the proposed Improvement, under the d.
rection Of the War Department. The COM
mercial and the sanitary interests of the Dis
trict alike demand IL.
The total rxpenses of the rena ir departp,ant
for the eleven months, ending October l, 1877,
were Sc, AS AZ, as follows: Work, labor, in
GLIDING salaries, miscellaneous, Northern
market, that OF Improvement of streets, re-
pairs of concrete work, charged to contract
oTs, cleaning and repairs of sewers and traps
and general repairs, $50 ,961.46. For material,
S3.iG246.
The Surveyor gives detailed statements re-
latiDg to assessments for special improve
mepts. Also tabular statement of streets,
avenues and county roads, assessed siGce the
last annual report, apportiODed under their
respective heads, TO which Is added all ex-
penditures for alleys assessed.
Assessments have been made during the
last year on account of two hundred and
thirtytwo (232) streets and avenues in Wash
ington. GEORGETOWN, Mount Pleasant and
CDioniown, and fifty four (5i) roads and av-
Gre hundred and thir.y-six 1880 alleys
have also been assessed. One of them, after
condemnation, by marshaPs jury.
The Surveyor refers TO, and intelligently
explains other matters of much interest 70
the District.
He closes his report in what we regard as
conclusive reasons for restoring his Office TO
a salaried one, and we join in his recon-
mendation therefor, and for the appointment
also of an assistant. This will require the
"fOr the government of the District of Co
lUmbia, and for other purposes, )" approved
June 20, 1874, as prohibits the yment of
Of the District, or any of his subordinates,
except such fees for special services as are
allowed by law, and a5olishes the offices of
surveyor OF the District.
The total length of water mains laid and
used In the distribution OF Potomac water in
or a fraction over 166 miles. OF these, there
were laid by the
THited sts,ss gSs2so miles.
Ws'er Department, IT Guiding
GeOf fetCW LIZ $50 fS) -
The location, diameter, and length of
mains, With number and locations of mains
lowered, the numbers OF fire plugs, stop
valves, and branches of mains, are reported
in detail by the Registrar, with statements
relating TO hydrant, pumps, fountains, leaks,
taps, gauges, and Of miscellaneous matters
connected with the Water Department. We
invite the special attention of Congress to the
matter of water supply for the District. The
Iced Of additional supply and of improved
methods for the distribution OF water is fully
presented in the Registrars report. He esti-
mates The cost of such Improvement at
Il 100000. We invite attention also TO the
suggestions OF the Engineer ON this subject
in his accompanying report
Tie total receipts of the War De-
Jartment during the last year,
were. .-.s....- .SlU0, ~ -
Expenses, not including $4,000
Iaid in the redemption OF water
stock bonds. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. So2,S56 GO
TIE wafer-tsX is by law pledged as fund
10 defray the cost of distributing the water,
IL GLIDING all necessary fixtures and ma
chimes connected with Redistribution.
The Parking Commission report 1864 trees
planted since November 1, 1876, and 287 to I'LL
The places Of trees destroyed by storms, sc.
There are DOW over 10000 trees OF recent
planting In Washington.
There have been expended for lamps and
gas, from November 80, 1876, to November 1,
1871. 1892 $3.50, as follows:
In Washington. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SO
III 0tOIS i@,i Lon IL
No. Of street lamps in Washington. -. 3 ,4i9
No. of street lamps in Georgetown. ..... 81
$3.50
The Inspector of Buildings reports the
whole number of buildings In Washington
and Georgetown to be q ,19i; OF these TAI were
erected during the last year, their estimated
valua hoiU0 III