Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-23
THE DISTRICT IN CONGRESS-.
Bill Defining the Rate Of Interest ON
Unpaid Taxes.

The following bill. introduced in the House
by Mr.. Bowman, of Massachusetts, will early
engage the attention of the House committee on
the District, to which committee it was referred:
1t is "a bill defining the rate of interest to be
charged on arrearages OF general and special
taxes now due the District of Columbia and
the meaning and intent Of acts approved June
19, 1873, and June %, 1879, relative to the ad-
justment Of special assessments in said District,
and for certain other purpo ses, and it enacts:
That the rate of interest to be collected of
any person owing arrearages of general taxes
prior to July 1st. 1880, or assessments for spec
lai improvements now due to, and the liens for
which are held by, the District of Columbia shall
be SIX per centum per annum. In lieu of the
rate and penalties now fixed by law: Prouided,
That this provision shall apply only to taxes and
assessments paid on or before the 31st day of
December, 1882
Sec. g. That it is the meaning and intent of
AN act to provide for the revision and correc-
tion OF assessments for special improvements in
the District of Columbia, and for other pur-
poses" approved June 10, 1873, and of the third
section of IAN act fixing the rate of interest
upon arrearages of general taxes and assess
ments FOR special Improvements now due to the
Dlstrict OF Columbia, and for a revision of as
sessments for special improvements, and for
other PURPOSES" approved June 81, 1879; that
the Commissioners of the, District Of Columbia
revise and correct all assessments for special i'm
provements completedsubA to Feb.21. 1871,
ana to issue in each and every case where the
assessment is ascertained to be excessive, to the
party who paid the same, drawback certificate
1or the amount of such excess. which certificate
snail De received for general taxes due prior to
july lst, 1877, and for all assessments for special
improvements; and that the said Commissioners
shall issue to the holder of each certificate of
assessment reduced in said revision drawback
certificate for said reduction of principal and in
fn chn1 hl for oil
assessments for special improvements.
Sec. 8. That in cases where the Commissioners
OF the District of Columbia, or their predecessors
In office, have Cancelled or do cancel the assess
ment 1or specia! improvements levied by the
corporation Of Washington and enormously as
sessed against property exempt under existing
law. said Commissioners are authorized and d.
rected to redeem the outstanding certificates of
assessments so Cancelled BY issuing to the hold
ers thereof drawback certificates in amount
corresponding with principal and accrued inter-
est, which certificates shall be receivable for
sessments of special improvements.
The Modified Esid for the Free Bridge.
PROBABILITY THAT THE CONTRACT WILL BE
AWARDED TO THE CORRUGATED IRON COM
PANY.
The notifications made in their original bid
oy the Corrugated Iron company to build free
bridge across the Potomac are very material
These notifications are all in the interest OF dura
biity and strength. They are SO radical that it is
necessary that the whole ground be gone over
again. For this reason Gen. Wright, chief of
engineers, has referred the matter back to Gen
Albert. who has charge of river and harbor i'm
prOvementsinth in the District. Ii Gen. Albert decides
that under their modified plans the Corrugated
Iron company will build q suitable bridge the
contract will be awarded to them Otherwise
the whole matter will be referred back to Con-
gress with recommendation that larger ap-
preparation to secure the durability and strength
of the proposed structure be made. 1t looks.
however. as if the Corrugated Iron Company
would get the contract under the $l45,O0O APP
preparation.