Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-12
Tax assessments in the District.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ASSESSORS.


Mc,ssrs. VIM. Dixon, George A. Bohrer and B.
D. Carpenter, asse Ssors for the District Of Co
nlmtia, have sent in their report, covering
period between the last annual report and the
list day of July, 1915 They state that they have
completed the assessment Of PERSONAL property
for the fiscal year ending June 30th; that In
making said assessment they were unable In
many cases to obtain such information as would
insure its accuracy, and as result many or che
accounts were erroneous and have S..nca been
corrected ON the 9Th of April. ists, in compli-
ance with sec. OF the act CT Congress approved
April Cd, ISIS, for the support of the govern
ment of the District OF Columbia for the fiscal
year ending June 3jth. 1873 and for other pur-
poses" they proceeded to assess the value OF all
real property in the District, which has been
completed. and the report turned in to the Office
or the superintendent OF Assessments aud Tax
eS. The same act authorized the assessors to
take an accurate census OF the inhabitants Of
the District while engaged in making the assess
ment. This duty has also been completed. The
surveys OF the wharf lots in Georgetown have
been made. which was necessary for the COM
pletiOn OF the numerical and plat book now in
course of preparation. But little progress had
been made in this book before it became aprar-
ent that other surveys were necessary. The
work of preparing the Georgetown numerical
and plat book is being vigorously prosecuted
and 1t will be furnished for the next annual as
SeSSment
The recommendation made in the last annual
report for the adjustment OF the tax on goods
and merchandise held for sale and the SubStitu-
newed. This latter will be more equal diStrf-
button of the tax on this class OF property. This
method OF imposing tax on business is, they
think, by far less Objectionable than the pre-
sent, both to the officers whose duty it IS to levy
the tax and also to the person taxed. It will
also do away with the most unpopular feature
OF our personal tax law which requires the mer-
chant to make an annual exhibit OF his business
affairs, often to his great detriment. They also
renew their recommendation for the abolition
OF the tax on stock issued by the late corpora
lions of Washington and Georgetown, and on
all bonds, stocks and certificates Of indebted
issued by the District Of Columbia. This tax
by the District on its own Indebtedness Is re-
garded by many as unjust and oppressive; a
partial reputation OF the debt, and violation
Of understanding had at the time OF the
issue OF these securities. 1t also tends
10 injure the credit of the District.
depreciating it's own securities at home, and
Of their loss of the one and half per cent. tax.
to dispose Of them al q discount to alien credi-
tors, who, because of their exemption from SUc:
tax, save corresponding amount hence, to
tax them IS they think, a discrimination against
our own citizens. The assessors ask that au-
thollty be given them TO begin the annual as
SeSslnent on the first of April instead Of the first
or July. as formerly. thus giving more tine for
the examination OF property, and the assess
ment can be made with greater accuracy, great
er facilities Will be afforded for the preparation
OF the taX-bOOkS in the office Of the Superinten-
dent OF assessments and taxes, and many errors
the result OF undue haste. will be avoided. They
express the belief that the Commissioners have
ful power under the act of June II, 1878, to give
such authority.
The estimate of expenses OF the asses sors'
Office for the fiscaiyear ending June 80. 1881 is,
for salaries, clerks, books, blanks. stationery
&C.. covering the assessments on the annual
and personal tax, $l6, 404. The amounts on &c
count OF personal tax TO November Q, inclusive
are as fOllOwS:-WaShingtOn s.. 400, 1906; George
town, sl,l56,24; county, sls5,.l. Total,
81. I51