The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1882-11-25
The Assessments for Special Inn
DrOyemeut9


are still In process OF collection, but are paid
rather slowly. The Congressional action here
toforc taken In permitting tho revision and re-
ductlon OF this tax and tho abatement OF inter
est, has not had the eject OF stimulating pay
ments generally, but rather the reyerse. De-
linquents still hold out In the hope OF further
concessions. Tho acts of Congress of June 10,
1878, and June 81, 1870, authorize the revi-
sion and correction OF an erroneous or excessive
tax. The organic act under which the origi-
nal tax was levied. directs the assessment of
q reasonable proportion, not exceeding one
third of the total cost In tho revision II has
been found that the limit was rarely exceeded.
The strictly "erroneous" tax was compara-
lively insignificant in amount. The reduction
rests mainly upon the Interpretation OF q "rea.
sonable proportion" OF the total cost. In order
that tho terms OF the act authorizing the re-
necessary that the original exercise OF discre.
tion in fixing this proportion shall be deemed
TO have made the tax EXCESSIVE" From this
results mainly the reduction. code OF rules
OF the Commissioners as to u reasonable pro-
portion OF the cost TO be assessed, and these
have been applied as uniformly as possible.
1t is commended that they are not. But under
those rules tho revision OF the special tax has
been completed with resulting loss to the
District OF Columbia OF 1857, 1882, and dc.
linquent interest at ten per cent, dating back
from i've TO ten years. 1t is still urged very
strenuously by Interested parties and their
agents that the tax rests unequally, and there-
fore unfairly, upon delinquents, and further
concessions are asked. The argument is
plausible, but unsound. The amount of tho
tax is now, in every Instance, far within the
amount OF the legal limits, and to this stand
ard only can claimant lawfully appeal. The
absolute
Equalization OF the Tax
is impossible. 1t has been earnestly attempted
In the code OF rules adopted, and Is attained
within reasonable limits. II the process be
continued indefinitely there Will be con-
tinuous issue OF drawbacks, first to one class
turn, and the result Will be the same as in tho
famous equalization case which is recorded by
Esop.
1t is to be remembered that this is not gen.
eral tax, the annulment OF which would re-
lieve equally tho taxpayers In the District OF
Columbia, but special tax due from favored
due from this class OF people to tho taxpayers
OF the District and all that is left Is needed to
trict to which the debt is pledged. Whatever
has been or may be forgiven OF this debt Is q
direct loss to the District treasury, and an ad-
ditional burden upon the Taxpayers.
The Water supply
OF Washington and Georgetown has been lib
orally provided for by tho act OF Congress ap-
proved July Is, 1892 which approprlates ST.
5,279.30 for the completion OF the dam at
Great Falls, the construction OF a suitable
aqueduct from the distributing reservoir, a
point on the high grounds above boundary,
and near Sixth street extended, and the CON
struction at inis point OF an additional reser-
Inc must cease for many years. In tho mean
time the level at which the Potomac water can
be delivered is steadily falling, and great In.
convenience and distress are being expe-
rienced In the more elevated parts of WASH
ington and Georgetown. 1t Is not n scarcity of
water that anlicts the people OF the District.
There is an unlimited supply at tho source
from which II is taken, and the existing mains
would bring to tho city twice the amount which
Is now consumed. The increased quantity can
only be brought In at n loss OF elevation pro.
portlonate to this Increase, and the low grounds
gradually get 1t all. Unfortunately, the
growth OF the city within the last few years has
been largely upon elevated ground. In 1873,
when the standpipe was erected for the Wash,
ington high service, the pumps supplied about
1,100 buildings, and 1t was hoped that
Capitol Hill Might Receive Share
of the Benefits.
Tho rapid increase in tho consumption OF
water by buildings In the immediate vicinity
OF the standpipe soon demonstrated impossi-
bilty of delivering any TO Capitol Hill. AT this
time 3,019 buildings are supplied from the
high service, and It is impossible to keep vi
with the consumption. Not only are the
pumps unequal to the increased demand, but
the supply from the low service is insufficient
by pumping tho famine Is not much worse. II
has been attempted by the regulation OF the
principal stops in tho mains to cut on the now
from the low grounds and shack It up" to high
Complaints from any location have been care
fully examined. tho actual condition OF Affairs
uScerlulucu, ana the equalization process re
sorted to. About all that can DO done in this
way has been effected. In some cases OF un
usual scarcity partial system Of intermltton
supply has been resorted to for the low service
This conslsts simply In turning tho water on
from one locality 20 concentrate II upon an
other for a limited time, and then reversing
the process. 1t is
RObbing Peter 10 Pay Paul
and ihen robbing Paul to pay Peter. 1t is thu
last resource, and must finally BIO adopted II!
the only means of supplying water until thu
new works shall be completed. Whom sys
tematlcally In operation It will be necessary
| for all consumers 10 supply themselves Will
tanks or receptacles OF some kind for holding
| water, and 10 arrange for filling these when
the supply Is turned on and % subslst upon
the contents while tho supply 10 turned on
It will undoubtedly be inconycnient, but moi
more so than any organized system OF inter
mittont supply. Such system Is In use IL
many localities whero water 10 economical. II
Is preferable 10 tho present condition of at
fairs. In the high service district OF Washing
ton modification OF this system has boon IN
operation since the pumps were first put up
The District supplied by the pumps is shut on
from tho supply at 1 o'clock Il. m, and the low
service mains opened into II for temporary
use. The standpipe Is then iilled by abou
four hours steady pumping, and at 8 o'clock a
IN. the low service mains are again shut on
n nd fha syafor from tho afnnd nina tupna1 on