Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-26

trust and water funds ............... 41O76S GS
ST. IS
Balance on hand July 1st, 1881, as
above stated Is:
For general expenses. $S72133 81
For trust funds Observation-Disclosures. $3.50 IS
Total balance. snO7ss os
The above statement shows an increase i'm
receipts from taxes and revenues applicable to
general expenses. compared with the pre-
cedng fiscal year Of 1919 6i5. Il and an increase
of receipts from all sources of S321 O26 40.
But it dCeS not include $50 0S1 81 of draw back
certificates received duringthe year in payment
of general taxes under the act of 9th June.
1879.
ARREARS.
The report of the collector of taxes shows the
amount of arrears on the 1st July, 1881. viz:
Oh real estate 1895, 374- S9
vi f'''"hai property @o-eu3Ct
While this exhibit does not give evidence of
any decrease in the amount of uncOllected taxes
n compared with the last fiscal wear. it should
be stated that the arrears for personal taxes are
merely nominal, consisting chiefly of old balances
which. from lapse of time and other circUm-
stances. are not now cccctable. but which the
Commissioners are not authorized to remit or
Discharge. 1t is very desirable that some legal
Eetn0d should be provided by which, at stated
periods. the books ard accounts Of the collector
should be relieved Of such items and he be dis
charged from accountability therefor.
More effective legislation is needed also for
the collection OF taxes on real property by which
valid titles may be assured to purchasers at tax
sales. The want of such assurance is the chief
cause of delinquency in the payment OF taxes on
real estate.
ASsE SNESTs.
The numerous complaints which have been
made of inequalities in the last assessment OF
state ms do in md fba oI,a
IN values since that period. warrant the Com
niissiOnerS in recommending reassessnpnt of
all taxable property. While i'm some sections of
the District this change may not be marked, i'm
other sections the value of land has greatly ad-
yaDced and in general material improvement
l. observable.
Ia this connection it is hoped that some more
satisfactory method of taxation on personal
property than that now in use may be devised
That the personal tax law now in force has not
been successful as revenue measure expe-
riencc has clearly demonstrated. Its tendency
Is t" discourage business and honest returns of
personal property for taxation: to enhance the
local rates OF interest on money: to encourage
TIE Investment OF local or resident capital i'm
non-taNabie securities and to give the control
and profits of the local money market to nom
resident capitalists. a law which thus dis
eliminates against resident citizens and tends
To rePel the very class whom it should be our
policy 10 attract to the capital cannot be either
wise or Just.
Since our special report made to Congress on
the 18th February last. the collection and settle
ment of special assessments. as revised under
acts 18th June 1873 and 9th June 1879 have
steadily and satisfactorily progressed. There
had been issued under said acts on 10th Octo-
Der. 1881. drawback certificates to the amount
of SsiSia 81; of which 54O9, O57 80 had been
receiyed IN payment OF special assessments and
ESQ - IL has been received in payment of gen.
erai taxes. leaving unTedeemed. -. sgt 924 %
To he issued. Estimated ........... 1894 o.
Total. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. SOL S:,S Sc
The amount of per cent certificates unre-
Deemed on the 10th October, 1881 was about
s::l ,3to. leaving. with estimated interest. about
e.sst.0 To be redeemed; and the amount OF I'M
collected assessments pledged for their redemp-
ton, was. az same date. 1854 2tEi 90. This last
eGD does not include interest alley assessments
street railroad assessments now in litigation nor
assessments against the United States amount
tns. a. revised. to 1921 .26564.
There were on 10th October outstanding IN
the hands of third parties. about S26OOO0 tax
liea certificates issued by the late board of pub
bic works; and the amount of uncolected as
srssinents. applicable to their redemption was
ei54 .536 IS. showing deficiency of abou,
eleo,GD. This deficiency is the difference be
tween the original assessment, and the amount
faurd due on revision under act of 18th June
1szS And as in most cases the holders of these
hens refuse 10 accept the drawback certificate:
provided by said act to cover this deficiency
0ecaii>e they do not bear interest. no adequat,
provision exists for their settlement and AL
tnstment.
The Commissioners. therefore renew TIN,
recommendation contained in their special re
port OF 18th February on this subject. that thu
unre'ieeined per cent certificates and al
unsettled taN-lens now in the hands of thrt
parties, be funded in SIS bonds. or some othe
convenient form. and respectfully refer to TIT
reasons given at large in said report for th
recommendation. For more detailed infOrma
ton IN relation to this and other subjects con
hected with the revision of assessments refer
ence Is made to- the report. hereto appended o
The officer in charge Of said revision.
BONDED DEBT.
The Treasurer of the United States, er Ofici
commissioner of the District sinking fund re
perts the total bonded debt of the District o
Columbia on LIST October last. at S2l .S96. 40
which shows reduction, since LIST July 1878
uhdcr the operation of the sinking fund. of S2lO.
ITO, Notwithstanding the additional issue, unde
se. Oh ioth June, 1850. OF S119. 500 of 365 bonds
-" iaila Tue Eoating debt of tue District Their
has also been, since that date reduction i'm TIN
annual interest Charge of $50. 467 n and tn
amount OF $4,000 OF 365 bonds representa-.
the washington school fund has been cance!c,
and destroyed. as directed by the District an
preparation act of Sd March, 1881
With a view to the uniication OF the Distric
debt. as suggested in our last annual report. VI
law recommend that the Treasurer of the Unite
ef2tes be authorized TO redeem, as speedily a
may he practicable aud advantageous by tn
issue and sale of 3.G5 bonds. all other outstand
ong bonds OF the District. Such cOnsoiit;atio
q the present market rates OF its bonds woul
not. 1t Is believed. very materially increase tn
aggregate of the 1ad dehf of fha DiSf r;cS