Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-05
WILL OPPOSE SINGLE TAX.

Citizens Of Hyattsville VIII Protest Against
the Recent Order Of the Commissioners.
There appear to be some residents Of Hyatts-
vile who do not believe in the single tax, or,
at any rate, are not willing that their town. at q
time when 1t is rapidly growing and needs i'm
provements, should be made the field of expert
ment in taxation. The following is being cir
culated among citizens Of the town for sigma
lures:
"We. the undersigned citizens Of Hyattsville,
do hereby suggest that public meeting of the
citizens be held in the Hyattsville Athletic Club
rooms on Wednesday, the 9Th instant, at $50 p.
m, for the purpose Of expressing our disap-
provd Of the recent order Of q majority of the
town commissioners in exempting all improve
ments from taxation snd to take such steps as
may be necessary to prevent the enforcement
of such an order. A full meeting is requested"
resident who Is not in favor of the single
tai and who Is engaged in promoting themove-
ment against it said to q STAR reporter: 1.-THE
adoption of the single tax system on last Thurs
day evening by the commissioners of Hyatts-
vile was q surprise to the minority of said
board and the citizens Of Hyattsviile. When
the report Of the committee on assessments was
read objections were made as to the legality of
such an action and also q request was made to
put the matter before the town and get q vote
upon whether or not they would adopt a single
tax system. II they should adopt said tax then
the commissioners would be exempt from all
blame; but they were not elected for the pur-
pose OF making any radical change in the or
gsnic law Of taxation or any other radical
change without consulting those who would be
affected by it.
"Referring to the report we see by it that by
last years assessment the value Of land and Inn
provements was $46o 900, yielding, at 15 cents
per s10o, S703.53. This year the assessment
valuation Of the same land alone is fixed at
1888 zoe, Just 500 3l5 less than the valuation Of
houses ct an average value Of S575. Then with
Q leap an increase Of taxes Of rs cents per 800
is made, to show that less sum at a greater
rate per cent will produce q revenue in excess
Of last year. Now, what Is the condition Of
Hyattkville? The road committee from early
last fall up to the present time have been re-
quested to do certain work for the health and
convenience Of all persons in the town. They
have had no means Of doing work necessary to
comply with the request, but have given their
word to do the best they could when they should
receive the money from taxes. The sidewalk
on the pike Is in a dangerous and unsightly con-
dition, the water pipes insufficient to carry off
the drainage, the street on which two Of the
churches are situated is and has been from
early last fall and during the winter almost i'm
passable The great growth Of our town de-
mands that we have more and better streets,
pavements and waterways. The legislature eaw
this and In its wisdom allowed an increase Of
rs cents per 900 in the levy to meet these ex-
penses, which would, upon an assessment Of
land at . reasonable amount, together with the
improvements, give US for internal and neces-
sary improvements about o., 900, not one cent
more than is really necessary. The action Of
Land and exempting all improvements is mop
perfume, to say the least