Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-26

to the proposed changes IN TIE ussheas q Keeping
s s H n the District omceS The caanses
n tn sfAA This report which y datSd the ed
sas Va: :R SsS: 1uss sAs sss
an pursuance Of an orasr q the board dated
OF Keeping accounts In the District of1css. VITA
usw 70 the Improvement ana simpNocstton OF such
metnoos and the adoption q some safe and sai.
&c sssa 20 &
THE assessor should make careful examinAuoa
really due And coilectibls ana report what saxe
are doubtful or fictitious The former Including I'll
soMcs osser tnan the current lsvy should oe con.
, rhsngeo as to squares and lota and the amount
Snus ascertained debited 70 the collector. TITS
OF all prior records should BE- srcsled and accepted
- ss INA tax account OF the District Of Columbia
az tne GATE TO which the record snan Be
pared ~ the assessor In aipnapetical order, be
verined oy the auditor, and delivered 20
me me collector prior to November Of each year,
auditor should debit the Collector upon his receipt
s ~ vue 1890. Win the total amount OF the tax
MSsn emc erscs him with errors and
Sne treasury. The balance OF said levy should
appear upon the tax ledgers q uncollected taxea
nv eAAS Shu vi VIC FISCAL year the au0ltOr 6nOulu
compare the receipts as shown by the collectors
Gay books First, with the deposits IS ACKNOWLEDGED
py tne treasurer OF the United states; second,
with the credit entries as made upon the tax
ledgers, to ascertain whether the uncollected
oaance appearing agrees with the difference be-
tween Ihe total assessments and the total ac-
should compile the list OF arrearages which, after
venncauon by the auditor, should be published as
In conformity with the requirements OF law.
Soncerhlng the publication OF the exhibit OF
taxes In arrears for the last fiscal year ended June
30, 1887, the account for which is now suspended
by the First Controller OF the Treasury awaiting
some satisfactory explanation from the Commis-
Aonefs IN regard TO Its numerous errors snd gen.
eral crudty OF form, 1t IL sufficient TO invite your
DUTY OF preparing annually for publication an ex-
hibit OF arrearages. The list In question although
81, s35, Is Of little practical value or usefulness
and appears to have been published without any
Intelligent supervision.
the collector there have been many complaints ~
times OF delay In issuing them, due to
inconvenience and needless waste OF time required
70 make careful examination OF the annual tax
ledgers 70 remote dates. II Ia obvious that the
conSodate9 record suggested will not only greatly
facilitate Inc issuance Of these certificates but
times BY taxes being omitted therefrom, and for
which loss no one has been held accountable. The
liking OF responsibility such errors ana conse-
Quent losses il recommended.
1.-THE duplicate book and coupon system In the
auditors Office Is regarded as defective.
Nun e SenGn al Is not CHECK upon the
accounts.
''2d. The extra books duplicate the work of the
assessor, without adequate results
"3d Books are multiplied unnecessarily, and
clerks are engaged whose services are urgently
needed on more important work.
Yin lieu Of the present system the following plan
Is suggested:
"Tax bills should be prepared with coupon at
tacnments as at present The collector, after
initial and detach tue Corresponding coupon aud
transmit daily at the close OF business all coupons
together with the usual summary statement OF
ncatiOn.
monthly. quarterly or at such stated periods as
the Commissioners may determine, the auditor
to ascertain the correctness OF the posting from
the collectors cash books to correct errors that
appear: The accounts OF The collector have been
audited from November i, 1884 to flscal year end
ing June 80, 1887, bit no verncation has been had
o. mis- accounts prior TO 1854, aud extending as
remote date as 1850. since 1858 the clerical
force OF the AUDITORS ONCE has been increased
nearly 40 per cent but this increase has produced
no results otner than above stated.
1.-The suggestions herein made will result In saw.
Ing to the District a considerable sum annually,
required now by needless Implications Of books and
accounts which but increase the liability TO cler1-
cal error, ana will aid materially IN securing uni
formity Of method, better administration, more
efnclent service and greater accommodation 10 the
taxpayer"
APPROVED BY DISTRICT DRMoCRATa
The District democrats express themselves as
being delighted with the appointments They
seem TO be especially gratined with the appoint
ment OF Mr.. Davis, whom they speak OF as q ster-
ling democrat, good business man. And well
Quaiified for the place. Mr.. Petty is spoken Of
highly.
"TGey are splendid appointments was the en-.
thusiastic exclamation or MI. Lawrence Gardner
the president OF the Columbia Democratic Club
speaking OF the changes announced to-day. "They
are In line with what should be The true policy 10
regard TO District appointments. Both men are
thoroughly identined with District interests, and
are fully competent 70 perform the duties OF these
positions. Mr. Davis Is man whose business
training win give satisfaction In the management
OF the important office OF collector OF taxes Mr..
Petty Is well Qualified and his is In every way a
creditable appointment The people OF the Dis
trict are to be congratulated in having such men
appointed to District Onces"
Mr.. JAS. L. Norris, president Of the Jackson
Democratic Association, said in reference TO the
appointment OF Mr.. E. g. Davis as collector OF
taxes, that no better selection could have been
made from the whole District; that Mr.. Davis pos
SesseS business and executive qualities that render
him eminenty fitted FOR the position, and that the
affairs or the ONCE will be conducted by him for
the best interests or the people. and will reflect
credit alike upon the city and upon the democratic
party. "Mr. Davis" he said, ais u genial courte-
Gus gentleman, and his character for honesty, In
tegr1ty and executive and business ability stands
second to none, and the cltlzens generally, IRE
spective OF party are to be congratulated and the
District Commissioners complimented for the wise
appointment"