Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-17

HOW IT Is PROPOSED TO SECURE UNIFORMITY
REDUCTION N THE RATE OF TAXATION RECON-
NESDED-THE RECENT APPOINTMENTS CRITI
CIsED-THE VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT.
The Citizens Committee Of One Hundred al
a meeting last night, over which DIR. Reyburn
vice-president, presided. devoted its time tc
the consideration of Ne subject of assessments
Major Walker, secretary .of the committee or
assessments, made a partial report, setting
forth the conclusions of the committee.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
These were as follows:
/. The assessors should be fearless and
practicable men of experience and mature
Judgment. that they should have the ability to
determine the comparative values of improve
ments. and should understand the general char
aeter and cost of the construction OF buildings
?. That they should secure oil available in
formation IN their reach from general sources
III the neISbOrhOOd respecting the values of the
land they are required to assess before COM
pletIng the aggregate valuation which by the
law cannot be reduced.
3. That corner lots available for building
purposes on two streets should be assessed
higher than the intermediate lots in the same
square.
T. That the availability Of the lot for build
ing purposes is determined by its frontage on
the street. and deep lots should not be assessed
square having the same street 'front.'
D That lots abutting on alleys in the rear,
other things being equal. are more valuable,
and should have higher assessed valuation
than lots IN the same square having no alley
privileges.
8. That before the aggregate valuation shall
be finally determined. which by the law cannot
he reduced. and in order to eGualiZe the assess
mcnts for the entire city and District. and in
order that the citizens may know what the ap-
- estimate nlIggu ~
he without loss of time to visit the District
buildings and examine the books. and in order
that the time of the assessors may not be I'M
necessarily employed in hearing appeals for
for reduction and for the general equalization
II l. deemed wise that the assessments of cor
ner lots. of alley lots. and of other important
lots III squares should be advertised in the daily
papers for ten DAYS. or by other publication
accessible to all citizens. stating the highest
and the lowest assessments. thus enabling all
parties to determine the approximate yalua-
uOa OF their property III every square of the
cltI and county. and thereby avoid many of
the gross inequalities which have heretofore
characterized the taking of our general assess
ments
Z. That careful revision of the law should
be prepared for presentation to Congress be-
fore the next general assessment doing away
with all ridiculous clauses in the present law
:. That the expression in the law, that the
assessors are. ''grOm actual view and the best
sources of information in their reach" to
determine as nearly as practicable the true
value of the real property iii lawful money
and separately estimate the value of all i'm
prOvements. Is vague and indefinite But while
tnere Is no Unyarring Iule lv which the true
value can be determined. the commonly re-
celvcd test Is what the property would prob
ably bring under the hammer. at forced sale
and not the mere speculative value. which the
owner may have set upon il, and which is al
ways fiUctuating
8. That III order to insure uniformity in the
assessments rules should be formulated EN-
bOdylng the general principles which should
govern the action Of the assessors and a cODy
furnished TO each before they enter upon their
duties in the field.
10. That in view Of. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in the
value Of real estate III the District of Columbia
since the last general assessment, and to pre-
vent the accumulation Of surplus in the Treas
IVY. which Is lying idle and Unproductive while
the District Ii paving interest 10 the United
States, the rate of taxation ought to be re-
duced.
Mr. wELLERs CRITICISMS.
Mr.. Weller, chairman of the committee.
made a speech in which he criticised the quail
fcations of some oil the assessors recently ap-
pointed.
A number of citizens he said, from various
parts OF the city had called on the committee
and called attention TO what they believed dis
qualifications of persons who had received the
appointments. One assessor. ne was informed
his time fOr the first week in running about
with petition to the President asking the re-
appointment of Mr.. Wheatley as Commits
slOner-a very good occupation. Mr.. Weller re-
marked. but one which might be questioned
when taken up by assessors. who were so
pushed for time that the question was now
presented 20 the controller whether they could
be compensated for their work on Sunday
Mr.. Weller. speaking of another, said that
the appOIntee was young man of tweuty-one
81 tod M of
character. 50 far Mr.. Weller knew. but who
could not have the knowledge necessary TO
qualify him for the office of assessor in a dis
trlct IN which there had been great and rand
changes When he asked at the District build
Ing why so young a man was appointed he was
tolI that the young mans father, who was the
Old assessor. would help him. Mr. Weller
spoke Of persons who were applicants whose
qualifications for the Office were unduestioned
but who had, he said, been ignored Mr. We'll
Ter said he hadsbeen asked last fall by Assessor
fl>h % name men TO be appointed as assessors
IN East Washington. and assured that the men
he named would be appointed. Later. when
the assessors were selected Mr. Weller said he
asked Mr.. Fish If the men be named would be
favored. and Mr. Fish said. If YOU recommended
NhI'e-rubed angels from heaven they would
md no favor IN this building" Mr. Weller
sand h notified Mr.. Fish that the appointments
10 be made should be of men equal in every re-
speCt 10 those he recommended or they wouid be
CrItlciesd- Mr.. Weller spoke of the importance
70 the citizens OF the actions of these assessors
from whose judgment there was no appeal
lie did not think such important duties should
be consigned TO men whom the Commissioners
wanted 10 reward for private favors men
whom they wanted to use TO go about with De
t'tIOUs. lie said that Edwin d. Jones' who was
an applicant Tor the assesSOrship in the tenth
district, informed him that he was asked 10
Register. as Mr.. Tally had, in another district.
90 that he could receive the appointment for
that district, but declined, saving that he would
u serve IN the district in which he resided and
III which he was familiar with values.
Mr.. Curriden. during Mr. Wellers remarks
protested against any personalities but the
matter was put 10 a vote of the committee and
Mr.. Weller was allowed TO proceed.
Major Walker urged that it was the duty OF
the assessors and Commissioners TO so reduce
the assessment that the amount yielded should
I't Dc more than was required for the uses oil
tnr government They should see to il that
the taxes were made so low as to encourage 4
man 10 build home. The report was adopted
TEE VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT
DIR. Reyburn reported that the committee tc
call upon the President to urge him to appoint
u District Offices men of high character, famil
lar with the grievances OF citizens reported
tAdt they had been received most courteously
by The President. who, however, had spoken o.
the general character of the committees rec
concentrations and the fact that no candidat.
Was named Some members wanted the com
ihlttes continued, so that it could go again Il
the white House IL the President wanted in
formation. The committee was. however dis
charged Major Walker made a sneecb stst;n,
That the Committee of Ona urn1.o,1 .l'.-I.a