Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-14
THE BOARD OF TRADE
The Assessment Question Discussed
by Citizens.
MCMILLAN PLAN APPROVED
Resolutions Denouncing the johnson Bill
The East Washington Citizens Association
Criticised-The Street Extension Measure
and the Norfolk and Western BillApproved.


and the Norfolk and Western BinApproved.
The Washington board of trade at a we'll
attended meeting last night expressed itself in
favor of the plan proposed by Senator McMil-
lan's amendment to continue the old assess
ment temporarily and appoint aboard to revise
the assessment now being made. 1t declared
its disapprovl Of Representative Johnson's
assessment bill, urged the speedy passage Of
the street extension bill, undertook to sit
down, SO far as resolutions could do it, on the
East Washington Citizens Association, and
approved the bill providing for the entrance of
the Norfolk and Western road into the city.
The presence of Mr.. F. L. Moore, one of the
board of assessors. and his participation in the
discussion of the assessment question made the
meeting unusually interesting. Mr.. Trimble,
the District assessor, came in during the dis
cussion, but took no part in it. Mr.. b. H. War
ner took occasion to explain his own relations to
the recent assessment investigation and to
roundly denounce Mr.. johnson.
In addition to President Porter and Secretary
Anderson there were present Messrs. Jesse B.
Wilson, Charles Baum. Reginald Hagner Henry
Wise Garnett, c. c. Duncanson. Is. II. Warner
John Joy Edison, W. c. Dodge. John ". Thomp-
son. Prof. ". D. Cabell, John H. Magruder,
Samuel Ross, George Gibson. Matthew Trimble
George W. Cochran. Chaplin Brown. S. w.
Woodward, John E. Wight, o. G.. Staples. +.
L. Moore, H. A. Willard, II. X. Willard, Joseph
PAIL, l.. A. Littlefield and Others
President Parker stated that the meeting had
been called for the purpose of discussing and
acting upon the following matters: Representa-
tive Johnson's tax bill Senator McNillan's
amendments respecting the new and old assess
ments, the Norfolk and Western railroad the
extension of streets and avenues and the action
OF the East Washington Citizens Association.
OPPOSED TO MR.. JoHSsoN's BILL.
The first matter ac ted Upon was the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the board of trade is unalter-
ably opposed to the passage OF House bill No.
93N. to create permanent board OF equaliZa-
lon in the District of Columbia, for the follow
ing reasons:
First. That it is entirely unnecessary as the
Senate has provided board Of revision for the
present assessment, which will continue for
three years.
Second. The methods provided are arbitrary
and meet with the general disapproval of our
citizens.
Third. The further agitation of the assess
ment is detrimental to the best interests of our
city in driving away capital and outside enter
prise.
The resolution was unanimously adopted
after few minutes discussion. during which
Mr.. Moore commended that under the provisions
OF Senator McNiillan's amendment. adopted by
the Senate, the taxes payable November l. 1892
would be under the old assessment. and
those payable May 1, 1893, would be
under the assessment just completed.
Mr.. Moore's statement was questioned
by several members of the board. who claimed
that the taxes due in November Of this year and
May of next year would both be under the old
assessment.
Referring to the proposed appointment of the
five members to constitute the board of review
MIR. W. c. Dodge expressed his doubts as to
the ability of the appointing power to secure
hve competent men who would without
compensation. but President Parker assured
the meeting that it was known that such num-
Der of men could be found who were willing to
accept the appointment.
THE EXTENSION OF STREETS.
The following resolution relative to Senate
bill 1907. providing for the extension of the
streets and avenues of the city, was then re-
ported b. tbs secretary:
Resolved. That the board of trade do most
earnestly urge upon Congress to agree TO SEN
ate bill 1907. providing for the speedy extension
OF the streets and avenues of the city of Wash
ington IN all their magnificent plan over the
entire District Of Columbia.
Resolved, further That We tender our heart
felt thanks to the eminent men on the commit
tees OF both houses who have so long worked
and labored for the passage of this measure.
which has now almost reached its happy
termination.
Il am opposed to the resolution" said Mr.
Henry Wise Garnett. 1T is too sweepjnr II
apparently commits The board to an approval
OF all extensions 1t seems to me it is virtually
laying out the city OF Washington throughout
the entire District
President Parker explained that the bill was
one which had been before Congress for many
years. Ii was the board of trade bill and had
been known as the Faulkner bill. and was iden-
tically the same the Hemphill bill. The bill
merely contemplated and provided for the fu-
ture extension of streets. 1t really changed no
existing law.
On Mr.. B. II. Warmers suggestion the reso-
lution was amended SO as TO make il ultimate
extension instead of speedy extension" and
the resolution was then adopted.
THE ASSESSMENT AGAIN.
The next matter discussed were the following
resolutions reported by the secretary:
Whereas the assessment lately returned bv
the assistant assessors is in many cases notice
ably unequal and will materially affect the best
interests of the District. and whereas the board of
equalization. now in session. has not sufficient
time under existing law to properly revise the
work and
Whereas the pending appropriation is amply
provided for in the assessment of 1899, be il
Refolyed. That it ia The sense of the board OF
trade that the amendments lately added to the
Vim pAh, pio' iot Oh I'VE
citizens to revise said assessment and in order
to give ihe board ample time 20 complete the
work. the further amendment passed by the
Senate to collect the taxes for The presen. fiscal
year on the basis of the assessment Of 1889 re-
ceires the hearty approval OF the board of
trade.
Resolved. That special committee of fiye be
appointed to urge the passage of said amend
ments.
MIR. MooRE's PROTEST.
As soon as the resolutions we're read Mr..
Moore arose and said. with considerable feelings
Mr.. President: 1 want to FAY Just one word
and that is to suggest that You strike out the
word unequal. That word is untrue. 1t is not
fair to the gentlemen who made that assess
mcnt. Condemn the assessment as being too
much If YOU please, but do not say it is I'M
equal. That is all have to say
MIR. John ". Thompson-"You have had
great deal to say in this matter, have you not,
Mr.. Moore?'
MIR. Moore-"Yes, sir, and more to say here
AFTER
Mr.. B. Ii. Warne--'I suggest that we insert
the word unsatisfactory instead of the word