Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-14


NJ. Wright legacy. $50 A
Aotai ........... S6U, bSS 6U
About SIS. 900 have been deposited with the
collector during the past year by bidders for
furnishing supplies as required by law subject
to return upon order Of the Engineer Commits
siOner.
UNPAID TAXES.
The percentage of unpaid taxes remains
about the same as in previous years. This.
taken in connection with the fact that our ad-
vertsed tax list contains numerous instances of
the same lots being offered for sale annually
for unpaid taxes, IL very good evidence that
certain property is evading paymeut of taxss
Intentionally or otherwise, and the present con-
dition OF our tax laws offers no remedy. The
revenues Of the District could be materially in
creased by compelling the owners or the par
ties who are enjoying the benefits from this
property to pay the taxes levied, but this can
not be done until the Commissioners are
clothed with authority to inaugurate some
method that is not hampered by the uncertain
and tedious delays OF the courts. Congress
should be urged to grant this authority, and
that without delay.
A very important advantage gained by the
change OF time when property can be adver-
tlsed and sold for delinquent taxes il shown by
the arrangement OF the advertisement OF our.
last sale. There has been 10 change in the
manner OF doing business by the District that
has met with such universal approval as the
numerical arrangement as to squares with
alphabetical index used on this occasion. Be-
fore the change OF time for sale the prepara-
ton OF the delinquent tax list in this way was
impossible, as the time for the purpose was not
available. The arrangement here inaugurated,
owing to the facility Of reference, has been
found to be Of inestimable value to investors
and Of great convenience to owners of prop-
erty.
PROVISIONS NEVER ENFORCED.
Aprovision of the act of March 8, 1881, says.
"The duplicate of assessments for the fiscal year
Of 1882 and annually thereafter shall be pre-
pared by the assessor before November l of
each year, and upon the completion thereof
shall be delivered to the collector who shall re-
ceipt in duplicate for the total amount of taxes
shown by said assessment" and ''all tax bills
shall be made up by the collector Of taxes, and
he shall be held responsible under his bond for
all taxes except such as he may not be able to
collect"
Now, as a matter of fact the provisions Of the
act have never been enforced, the assessor re-
tanning possession Of the tax ledgers after pre-
pairing the assessment and rendering all bills
notwithstanding the plain reading of the law
No intention to evade the law is charged. but as
l understand it, matters have simply been al
lowed to remain as they were previous to the
passage of the act. l respectfully suggest that
Congress be asked to change the law so as to
SCISSOR, as it is reasonable to suppose that he
having charge of and being familiar with the
books is the proper officer to render bills, thus
legaliZing the arrangements in force and avoid
ing legal complications hereafter.
NEW TAX LAW NEEDED.
A matter that has been recommended here
tofore in the reports from this Office is again
referred to, owing to its very great importance,
and that is the enactment by Congress of a
49, l.,r d.. a
should be Immediately taken to prepare a law
comprehensive and complete in detail for this
purpose, there is no measure OF greater mo-
ment to the interests Of the District.
LISTING PROPERTY FOR ARREARS.
In listing property for sale for arrears of
taxes this Office has been governed by the ad-
vice of the district attorney and has advertise
for one year, emitting to readvertise property
which has already been advertised and bought
in by the District. Property thus bid in by
the District has been allowed to remain
in that condition until it happened to be pur-
| chased by third party. By failure of the
Commissioners to carry out the law by reselling
as provided, the District loses its lien upon said
property and when the same property is pur-
chased at subsequent sale the courts have de-
cided that the purchaser is entitled to a deed
without pay, the arrears OF taxes standing
against the property prior to sale ut which he pur-
chased. thus resulting in great loss to the
District revenues.
The authority to reassess property against
which for various reasons the courts have en-
Joined the collection of the tax by the District
10 second only to the enactment of q new tax
law and should be brought to the attention OF
Congress without further delay.
Making taxes receivable in one installment in
stead of at present in two installments is again
| recommended for your consideration. Making
taxes due in January Of each year, with the
privilege Of paying without penalty until the
ensuing May. would, 1 think. meet all objec-
tions.
SOURCE OF COMPLAINT.
A source Of complaint on the part Of taxpay.
ers is the way bills for taxes are rendered.
Persons who apply for bills are given those
for the current year only unless otherwise
requested. The result 10 there may be sew
| eral years arrears OF taxes on the property, OF
which they remain in ignorance. The mere
| fact OF payment of one bill Is to great many
| people evidence that there can be nothing
owing previous to the time for which this bill
1 nh thA 4.