Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-04
EAST wAsHINGTON's CLAIMS.
Meeting Of the Citizens Association
A Committee on Assessments.

A Committee on Assessments.
The shortage Of revenues Of the District
growing out Of the inequality Of assessments
was tho subject that occupied most Of the time
at the regular monthly meeting OF the East
Washington Citizen Association last night.
After the auditing committee had reported
that the total collection for the bridge celebra-
ton amounted to s241750 and that after all
bills had been paid there still remained in the
treasury Of the association the sum OF 1894 "a,
Mr.. George Francis Dawson, the president of
the association, called for report Of the
street committee.
INEQUALITIES OF ASSESSMENT.
Mr.. NJ. L Weller, as the chairman of this
committee, spent some time discussing at
length the deficit in the revenues of the Dis
trict and the inequality Of assessment, and
gave several instances, illustrating his re-
marks. He said among other things that the
land held for speculative purposes inside of
the city, as we'll the county, was vastly I'M
derestimated in the assessors returns and
the same might be said of improved property
used for business purposes in the northwest.
He urged that great benefit would follow the
establishment of permanent board of assess
ment He claimed that an equalization of as
sessments would increase the revenues Of the
District by sum of at least 81 Zoo, 900 without
increasing the rate of taxation or increasing
the valuation Of the residence portion of the
community, which, he asserted, was assessed
at from 80 to 20 per cent of its value whereas
land held for speculative purposes was vastly
moderated ID value. One of the illustrations
he gave was piece of property he had pur-
chased over three years ago for IS cents per
foot and which was assessed last year for IL
cents per foot. Another conspicuous corner
for which 81 would be refused, he said, was
assessed for only cents per foot. County
property selling for 5000 per aero was, he
said, assessed At $50 per acre.
Secretary Sperry moved that a committee Of
seven, to re known as the committee on assess
ment and valuation, be appointed to examine
the subject thoroughly and report at the next
meeting of the association. This committee
was not named last night, the president promis-
ing to appoint it during the recess.
IMPROVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RESERVATIONS.
Mr.. Weller spoke Of the squares in the east
ern section OF the CITY at the intersection Of
streets and avenues, which properly belonged
to the United States, and which had never been
improved. while i'll the northwestern section of
the city similar squares were in a high state of
improvement. He referred particularly to the
circle at the entrance of the new bridge, which
he stated was disgrace TO the United States.
This reservation, he said, did not belong to the
Commissioners and they had no jurisdiction
whatever over it. He recommended that
committee be appointed to wait upon Col.
Ernst, the commissioner of public buildings
and grounds. and call his attention to the ex-
listing state of affairs. He was sure. he said,
that the colonel, who was always fair to every
section, would look with favor on their request
and improve these reservations A committee
will be appointed to call upon the colonel at an
early day,