Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE,
EOUalify Of ASsessyn aufS.

Equality of Assessments.
Hon: f. s. WNidms NJ c., Chairman Cbm.
ntttee on District Of Columbia:
SH:-in relation 10 5. B. 1912. now pending
before your committee for a proposed reluc-
| ton from the annual assessments of q certain
| property called "Edgewood,' - in the District
Q, Columbia, The property Of Hrs; SPra ;na
in their relation to two properties. each hav
! ing direct application to he principle Involved
/ in The case at issue:
Peter Peppert is owner of certain real es-
tate in square No. 779, Washington, D. c.
This property was placed and left by the late
above the grade of the street. in which cond-
| tion the improvements and property was
made inaccessible and worthless and the
rental OF the property fell off from $500 per
Your memariaiist, as agent for and on be-
half OF the owner, appealed to the Iard OF
by law, for an equitable reduction of the an
Dual assessment, affirming said facts, and
alleging as an additional reason for the reduc-
sell the property for One-half the amount at
which it was assessed, but said appeal was in
eftect9al, for the alleged want of power.
estate in square No. GIG, Washington, d. c.
1 IS property was placed and left by the Board
Public Works and District Commissioners
| IT nished and impossible. In this condition
| t, property was inaccessible and unmarked
| lie, except at a sacrifice. Your memorialisi,
pealed to the Board of Assessors, d. c. setting
| l rth above facts, and praying that until sucn
me as the roads were completed, and the
| property rendered accessible that the annual
| assessments be fixed at three cents per foot al
at which price the lots alternating in same
SUI re have recently been sold, although they
we've assessed las were those OF Mr. Bates) at
| ire times the amount OF sale; but this ap,
peal was also Intellectual on like grounds
-, Your memorialist presents. these eases as
illustrations of some others of like character
exhibiting similar hardships and inequality OF
assessments, and humbly prays that any
measure for the reduction OF annual assess.
mentS may be made general in lis application
to the end that all parties may have equal and
exacting justice; or ii such general legislation
IS imprae etc that an amendment be added
tOS. b. 1Ol2- directing the Commissioners for
District OF Columbia to readjISt the annual
assessments upon squares 7l9 and GIG, owned
by Peter Peppert and Frederick Bates re.
Spectlyely, upon q basis not exceeding in the
case OF square 719, five cents per foot, and for
square 6l9, not exceeding. three cents per
square 5 5HGs Mc kkssssftuWy WASHINGTON Dc
No. Col st. NV, May 9, 1873.
How to Deal With Sewer Gas.
Editor Stdr:-FOr years was tOrmented in
my house with 'sewer gas; - so offensive at
times as to compel thorough ventilation OF all
closet. Observing however, that the connec-
ton of the water closet with the main sewer,
was the ordinary inch iron pipe and that its
trap or curved portion, was perfect, became
satisfied that it was utterly impossible for any
gas or et1iuvium from the sewer to pass
through the trap. then took a vessel holding
water, poured the same down through the
valve of the seat into the trap from as great
hight as could hold the vessel, opening the
valve with the other hand. Since that dav l
have bad no "Sewer gas" at any season of the
year to annoy my family, as make it my d ally
business to pour from to gallons OF water
entire difficulty lies in the trap ali odor comes
from it, and there is no water closet in the
city but can be completely cured of its StencheS
by the daily use of few gallons of water vic.
ently poured into its trap. But no servant
can effect the cure as the eternal vigilance
requisite demands the seif-interested hand of
the head OF the house. LIBERTY.
Unsightly Things About the CITY
Editor Stur:-Being one of the paoDle. T
send you this letter for our column to inulre
why the north wall of the City Hall is allowed
10 go in such an unsightly condition. Judi
CARY Square IS becoming very pretty park,
and handsome fountain is now being added
to its other attractions. Now, submit that a
view of the aforesaid dingy wall marked below
etc, is not at all calculated to enhance any
eSthetlc influence supposed to belong to the
park Let u, US have it. painted or white washed;
Farmhouse be supplied with water. B. l.. NJ.
Hint for the Labor Exchange.
Editor Stdr:-6,495 men and boys more or
less, can at once be employed at permanent
and remunerative wages in furnishing dogs
necessary works for utilizing the fat, ID bones Ias
more than General Muzzey estimates for his
iom 50 iGy argsr ' ssandieg s edmeaXsd
neIt in THE STAR will excite the ambition of
he needy and destitute, and secure a constant
product at a price that will pay a handsome
.Toft. "Hitz' worthy of consideration
HOWL.