Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-08
AGAIN IN THE SENATE.
The Assessment Problem Further Discuss
by Senators Today.

The Assessment Problem Further Discussed
by Senators Today.
In the Senate this afternoon the discussion
on the amendment in the sundry civil bill in
regard TO the assessment of real estate was con-
tinued. Mr.. Vest read letter he had re.
ceived from the East Washington Citizens
Association, in which the propagation
to carry over the assessment Of 1889 was
denounced as scandalous and as legal.
lied steal. Mr.. Vest read numerous
extracts from the report made in the
investigation Of assessments. He referred to
several pieces of property specifically as the
Ebbitt House property, which, in 1889, was as
sessed at $12 q foot and for which the owners
ssk SEQ
Mr.. Wolcott made short speech in favor Of
said, in a very large number Of instances was
outrageous and the proposition for q board Of
equalization should be adopted. The President
would appoint only good men on such o board
and the work would be honestly and fairly &C
complished.
the proposition bringing over the old assess
ment by proviso that It should only last 70,
one-half Of the present fiscal year. He had nc
doubt. he said, that the assessment Of 1889 did
injustice in numerous instances; but
the whole question resolved itself into
the fact that there were great complaints in re-
gard TO the present assessment and the ques-
ton arose should there be no means of appeal
from this assessment. In common justice
there should be an appeal allowed and there.
fore the board Of equalization had been
provided for. II would be impossible, however
that . revision of the assessment be made in
time to 60 in effect In November. It required
no committee from East Washington TO inform
the Senate Of that fact. The only question wa
whether any taxes should be levied this year o,
not II taxes we're to be levied the old assess
ment should come over.
Mr.. Vest read through the extracts from the
East Washington Citizens Associations cir
culaf and then argued that the proposed board
Of Equalization would afford no relief. He wanted
he said Was an entire remedy for the evils. The
complaint in the city, he said, was that prop.
erty worth 81 900 was assessed at 81, 900, while
property worth &100, 900 was assessed at IS, 600
Mr. Faulkner argued in favor Of the amend.
ments. The Commissioners at present had nc
discretion a. TO the rate Of taxation, and they
saw plainly that with the present rate and
the new assessment there would be
some $4,000 900 In the District treasury over
and above the amount needed for the necessary
expenses. In regard to the proposition con-
tanned in the House bill, Mr. Faulkner argued
that IL had taken the House three months
to even formulate such plans, and thai
a. the Senate was a deliberate body
II could not be expected that il would accept
the bill without an equal time to consider it
Mr.. Faulkner then debated the question Of Mr.
Vests point Of order and held that it was moi
well taken
THE SENATE AMENDMENTS ADOPTED.
After some further debate Mr.. Vests point Of
order was put TO the Senate and it was voted
down. The Senate amendments were ther
adopted