National Republican., 1884-06-12
THE STREET. CAR SEIZURE.

A Director Explains the Differences BE-
tween the Company mud the Govcrn-
ment.
The zeizuro of the cars of tho Belt Limo
Street Railway company on Tuesday for nom
payment Of taxes has been, according to Mr..
A. NJ. Clapp, one of tho directors, detrimental
to the reputation and business interests Of
tho company, and no gives tho following
explanation of the affair:
"Ono year ago the district government
made an assessment Of personal tax ON this
company for tho year ending June 80, 1884,
which was not objected to by the company,
and which was paid up to Jan. l. 1884, and
roccptod therefor in full by tho collector of
taxes. Subsequently, but not within tho
time prescribed by law, the commissioners
gave notice of % revision of this tax, inCreas-
ing IL ten fold. To this the company de-
INJURED, for the reason that they regarded 1t
not only as illegal, but excessive. II then
rendered to the collector of taxes tho second
half OF tax for tho year under tho advice of
counsel. This was refused by the collector
and o levy was made for tho excessive tax
upon the cars of the company, giving credit
for the amount paid and recoiptcd for by the
collector in full for the first six months of
the year, and after tender had been made
by tho company for the full year in accord-
ment. The company, rs soon as practicable
nftor this levy, rcplovined its property, aud
the road was in operation again after an
interruption of some six hours. IL this tfN
had been regarded as legal and just IL would
have been paid promptly, as this company
pays all legal and proper taxes without
dissent"
MIR. John w. Thompson's Trip Abroad.
Mr.. John W. Thompson and his daughter,
Miss Ida, will leave the city this afternoon
and will sail for Europe on Saturday. Mr..
Thompson has for years been identified with
the material prosperity of tho district and is
recognized as one Of Washington's most
enterprising and solid citizens. His long
connection with tho Metropolitan Railroad
company, the success of which is mainly due
to his energetic and careful administration
as president; his management of the Inland
and Seaboard Coasting company, purely
district organization, aud his career as presi-
don't of the Metropolitan National bank have
given him an enviable standing rs a shrewd,
upright, and sagacious business man. In
every movement to add TO the welfare or
improvement of the national capital, Mr..
Thompson has been always found among the
most active workers, ready to contribute
with his advice and money. His trip abroad
is to obtain needed rest, and it is to be hoped
that he will return greatly improved in
montal and physical vgor. During Mr..
Thompson's absence his brother, Mr.. William
Thompson, will occupy his desk at the bank.
Yesterday the directors of the bank pre-.
sented Mr.. Thompson with a handsome trav-
cling satcho and compass heavily mounted
in gold as slight souvenirs of their regard
Mr.. Il. Ii. Warner, who made the presentation
speech, paying high tribute to Mr.. ThOmp
sons successful conduct of the affairs of the
bank, his executive ability, his business
sagacity, and his honorable, upright char
acter. Though tho affair was informal the
occasion was interesting as indicating the
high value tho directors place upon Mr.
Thompson's ability as president Of the bank
and also the warm feeling they entertain fol
him personally.