Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-18
Gross receipts Of railroads. IS


Assessment fee 1s08-,04.
The foregoinGNetatement presents in de-
tail the assessment as revised and equal
lied by the board of three citizens of our
District, appointed by the President of the
United States, as provided In the sundry
civil act OF Congress approved August 6,
1882. When the three assistant assessors
were appointed under the act of March g.
1881, 1t was generally expected that the ag-
gregate taxable values of our real estate
would show a growing increase over the
triennial assessment of 18S9-9O, on the basis
OF natural and healthy growth in our
city properties and a corresponding de-
Velopment in that portion of the District
outside of our two cities
A natural and healthy growth, however
did not mean or justify the extraordinary
increases in real estate values which were
returned by the assistant assessors under
the act of March 3. 1891. 1t is not nv pur-
pose TO question the honesty or integrity of
this board as individuals, but l do claim
that the theory upon which they acted
however honestly they attempted to appiy
1t, If 1t had been permitted to stand would
nave resulted in ruinous business disaster
TO this community. Fortunately popular
sentiment was aroused to the imnending
danger, and my recommendation for a
board OF revision was promptly approved
Dy tne commissioners and heartily indorsed
oy the board of trade and others Interested
in the welfare and prosperity of our Dis
trlct. Thls prompt movement met with
lesisiauve approval, and Messrs. T.. W. w
GriIhn, ). t. G. Morsell and VIM. b. Cur
ley were appointed by the President to re-
wise and equalize an assessment which
passes into history as most extraordinary
ana alarmingly oppressive These gentle
men did a splendid work for our citizens
considering the time and the circumstances
unuer which they were appointed but the
business and financial interests of our Dis
trict nave materially changed since that
revision, ana real estate depression and
financial stringency have visited this COM
munity as they have other places in our
country, and so even the revised assess
ment is too high for a healthy business
prosperity
Our present assessment shows an increase
OF about 80 per cent over that which was
made three years ago. 1t also shows an
crease over last year of about % per cent
III III the city or Washington, 81 per cent in
georgetown, and 79 per cent in all that por-
tion OF our District outside the two cities
technically called the county," and an
average increase in the entire District over
iast year OF about 80 per cent.
Errors Discovered.
Every day brings to my personal atten-
tlon the most glaring and grievous errors
ana noticeable inequalities, which are be-
yond my power or that of the Commission
ers to correct under existing law; and
hence many of our tax payers are COM
x,
we are only left the alternative of paying
On this assessment In the months provid-
ed by law or run the risk of a confiscat ton
penalty OF 2 per cent month for non-pay-
ment.
horizontal reduction might meet the
OF high assessment pro-
'ided there were no inequalities, as pre-
'umed IN my former recommenda tion, but |
recognizing that inequalities do exist, as |
to me In the last few weeks a |
reduction cannot cure the evil |
We nave mad board of assistant assessors |
o view the property and they have return |
ID their work at considerable expense to |
he taxpayers, and we have had a board |
o revise this work at additional exDense
o the same self-sacrificing people. and |
lesitate to impose an additional burden of |
axation on our already overt urdened tay
layers, but something should be done to
ure the evil and somebody should be em
covered Dy law TO administer justice and
guilty in these cases. My experience teaches
ne that our citizens make no special obiec-
ions to an assessment on account of its
eing high or low; what they want and
What they should have. is an assessment
equal and correct The assessor
annot correct errors of judgment of
cards of assistant assessors, or boards of
evision, as provided for under existing
aw; the Commissioners are equally power
esS, and our courts without appellate iuris
-ction. Recognizing the fact that gross
Inequalities exist in our present assess
lent, for which there is no legal remedy
am constrained to recommend that the |
request authority from Con-
ress to select a board of three citizens of
his District, with power to revise and
qualize assessments on our real estate and |,
n personal property.
UGH a revision and equalization is proper
nd desirable, 1t will give me pleasure If