Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-25

explicit he favored such new legislation as
would make II SO. In regard to taxation in
the District he held the same views as he did in
regard to the tariff. which is taxation for
revenue only. This principle applied
to the District taxation would mean the mis-
ing Of u sufficient sum to meet the cur
rent expenses of the government. He
thought that this plan would tend to
relieve the burden which the present
assessment had placed on the citizens. He
thought that there were q good many inequali-
ties In the new assessment as far as his
Information goes For example, property
on the north side Of II street between
9th and 10th streets, near the Medical College,
Ia assessed at sl6o per square foot,
while property on the north side near
10th street Is assessed at SL55 per foot.
On the corner of 6th aud streets the property
is assessed at $3.50, while at the corner Of New
York avenue and 9th street II Is 81. 40 Other in
stance, he said, could be cited
An. JOHN JoY EDISON.
"Under the present assessment" said Mr..
John Joy Edison. (which Is going to produce q
greater revenue than Is needed TO meet the
current expenses, obligations and proper
IL is evident that something must be
done 10 avoid the collection Of greater sum
than 10 required. The proposition made by
the Senate District committee to give
the Commissioners the authority to
fix the rate is one solution Of
has been made. is the best. In my opinion the
present assessment Ia too high, which is shown
BY the fact that this very question Of
an excess Of revenue is one of the results
To secure the highest degree Of permanence
and uniformity in assessment of real estate 1t
property at figure that viii produce
only the needed revenue. This course
would avoid, owing to fluctuations
In the market values Of property, the necessity
of changes In the assessment arising
from that cause The element Of certainty
and equality is thus secured which is desirable.
1t might be said that to fix the rate from year
to year would produce uncertainty. As an alb
stract proposition ii is plain that such an assess
ment should be made as to produce a sufficient
amount to meet the obligations Of the government
while on the other hand it should be permanent
and reliable so that it will not uniavorably
affect investors and owners OF property, and
they can make accurate calculations as to what
their investments in property viii produce"
Mr. A. A. THOMAS.
at has always seemed an absurdity to me-"
said Mr.. A A. Thomas, shat the
rate of taxation in this city should
be fixed one. We are supposed to
be the center of smartness, but most any
country district can give US points. The
rule In most counties Il to ascertain the
probable current expenses and then
take sufficient percentage Of the
assessed valuation to meet the expenses.
we are, in my opinion, greatly behind the rest
Of the world. 1 have no objection TO the pres
ent assessment, and believe that it is ell right
providing 1t does not result in giving greater
revenue than is needed"
aa R. eoLDscHM1D.
Mr.. r. Goldschmid said that he considered
the present assessment entirely too high, es-
pecially of F street property, which, as a bust
ness street, in his opinion, Is still in
Its infancy and needs careful
consideration from q taxable standpoint. In
the case Of some residence property which he
owns, the present assessment on the building
is equal to what the building cost
him. In his opinion the assess
Inent on the ground in resident
localities is fair. But the taxation on business
property on F street will tend to injure the
street. ~ am firmly of the opinion, he said,
.'thst the rate should be reduced, and IL the
Commissioners have not the power then Con-
gress ought to confer the authority upon
them"
Mr.. s. W. Woodward Of the firm of Woodward
Il Lothrop said that in his opinion it would be
equitable to give the District Commissioners
authority to fix the rate of taxation.
He considered the present assessment,
especially on T street property, as
higher than the valuation placed upon it by
conservative judges. He was opposed to the
collection of more revenue than was needed for
the current expenses and thought the rate
should be fixed SO as to avoid surplus.
Mr.. H. B. MoULroN.
The present assessment, Mr.. H. B. Moulton
said, seemed to him very high. He believed
that the rate should be changed and if it was
necessary he favored any legislation which
would result in bringing such q change about.
NIB. N. M. PARKER.
II there is any question about the power of
the District Commissioners, said Mr.. NJ. NJ.
Parker, to fix the rate Of taxation from year to
year think that it should be corrected by legis-
lation. The Commissioners, who are familiar with
the needs of the District and make up the esti-
mates, can calculate very closely the amount
that Will be appropriated by Congress. They
will therefore be in a position to fx q
rate that would not have an embarrassing sur
plus in the treasury and would inspire Congress
with q feeling Of confidence in the discharge of
their duty officials of the District
The object of the Commissioners should be to
make the burden of taxation as light as possible.
In regard TO the new assessment i regard it as
too high. have examined it in nearly all sec
tons OF the city and do not think
in an average street property on a dull market
would bring its assessed valuation. / am
ready in some instances to sell property
own at less than its assessed value.
On street the assessors seemed to
have been governed by certain fancy sales
when property was bought for particular pur-
pose at fictitious value, as for instance the
property sold to Col. Strong at the corner of
18th and streets. One Of two things must
happen or F street rents must either be largely
increased or values will be depressed. II the
board pursue the same line Of policy when they
reach the county as they have in the city they
will stagnate business for the next FIVE years.
OF course the majority Of county property ia
non-produc.ive and viii therefore be more
sensitive to exorbitant taxation. I have no
doubt the assessors have acted conscientiousy
in the matter, but they have been forced on by
a crazy howl about Irregularities in assess
ments."
MIR. JOHN W. THOMPSON.
Mr.. John W. Thompson said that he was OPP
posed TO the raising by taxation of more money
than was needed for the proper administration
of the District government. He believed that
this should be avoided, but he thought that
in the present case the difficulty was with tho
assessment and not with the rate. He was of
the opinion that the assessment was entirely too
high and should be adjusted on Q more equita-
BILE basis.
CAPITOL TOPICS.