Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-16
The CITY Assessments.

u
the members against appropriating
funds not in the treasury, spoke as fol-
lows of the assessments Of property in
the city
On the 25th of July last as chairman
of the finance committee reported ad-
yersely the bill of the gentleman from
the 3rd ward, ''for an increase in the
police force of the city and fixing their
paw at $50 per month";" for the reason
that in the Judgment of the committee,
money matters did not justify the out
lay at this time, and compared the tax
able values of 1874 and 1892. | stated
that there was vast difference in our
revenues then and now. Many persons
and even the patron of the bill, express.
ed surprise at the statement. In the
Washington Star of Aug. lst, its cores
pondent from Alexandria gave his opin-
ion in 5these words, which will read
for the information of Council :
SIN some recent discussion in the City
Councils, it was said that there had
been decrease in the total assessment
OF Alexandria property from the figures
of 90 years ago. This is understood to
be apparent only. The withdrawal of
corporation stock from taxation, the
change in the method of assessing other
stocks, the passing of valuable real es
tate into public school use, and so to
non taxability, has led to an apparent
difference of values, but many recent
real estate sales have been less than the
valuation"
do not know where the correspond
ent got his information, but he is off in
every way.
have from the tax ledgers in the
Auditors Office made careful compari-
son of the assessed valuation of real es-
tate in the four wards of the city for the
years 1874 and 1892, taking each at the
starting point and then one or more
squares in the middle of the wards.
First ward. Beginning at F. A.
Reeds, formerly McKenzie's wharf, be-
tween King and Prince streets on the
north side of Prince street to Lee ending
in middle of square, the assessment in
1874 SOC, 700, in 1892 $50 $50; the square
bounded by Pitt, Duke, Royal and
Wolfe was in 1874 $47.650, in 1892
$50, 800.
Second ward. Square King, Cam.
eron, Union and Lee in 1874 was $G7,.
900, in 1892 S44 $50.
Beginning at Janney's wharf and fol-
lowing the Strand to King street and
then along this half square to the
chapel on Lee street the valuation in
1874 was $S5, 000 in 1892 $40 HOO
The square bounded by Pitt, Royal,
King and Cameron was in 1874 Sl29,300
and in 1892 S75 400.
Third ward.-Beginning at Monroes
paint shop, along the south side of King
to st. Asaph to the Star engine house
alley in 1874 was SCI ZOO, and in 1892
S43 200. l think the Opera House
was built within this period.
Square King, Cameron, Pitt and st.
Asaph was in 1874 $4,000, in 1892 Si6,-
400.
Square King, Cameron, Columbus
and Alfred was in 1874 $4,000, in 1892
$44 200. in this square at least nine
new brick houses have been erected
since 1874.
Now to the Fourth Ward. Every
one knows large amount of new prop
erty ought to have been added to the
assessment. The books don't show it,
but do show an actual decrease of
$500 in assessment. Start at Sum-
mer's coach factory along Pitt street
west on Prince to st. Asaph, north 10
the old Star engine house, the assess
ment in 1874 was $27 1900, in 1892, 3d.
500. / am sure two new houses have
been erected upon this part Of that half
square. Square Columbus, Alfred,
Duke and Prince, upon which or 10
new brick houses have been erected
since 1874, the assessment in 1871 was
$49, 1000, in 1892 S51, 900.
Square, Washington, Duke, Column
bus and Wolfe, upon which six brick
houses have been erected within the
period mentioned, the assessment in
1874 was $41 500; in 1899, S37, 800.
These are facts, and all the rigama-
role about the withdrawal of corpora
ton stock amounts to nothing, and has
been more than offset by the increased
valuation put upon bank stock and the
addition of the stock of the Alexandria
Water Company-banlls $4,000; water
company 100000.
The squares thatI have referred TO
were taken at random, and for no spec
ial reason, but it will be noted that
none of the squares ever had that "val-
liable real estate which has passed into
public property for school purposes and
consequently into non-taxability," as
stated by the Stars correspondent, or
his informant.
To be exact, the bills for. 1874, placed
in the hands of the collector, amounted
to Sl12, 554, and in 1892 to 500, 226-a
decrease of $4,000 in.the assessment
and that the amount received in 1874
was more real than apparent" or |
am ignorant of the first rule of arith
metic.
1t has been suggested that my re-
marks at the July meeting had left the
idea that Alexandria was going behind
hand, instead of going ahead, as it
surely is. In 1874, as the debates in
Council at that date evidence, proper
ty was assessed at more than its real
value. At the present time assert that
a very large percentage of property
is assessed below its value which makes
it easier for the taxpayer to meet his
obligations and encourages building
and improvements. | am not opposed
to fair salary for the members of the
police force or the other officers Of the
city, and think there should be an IN
crease at the proper time. Some sala-
ries were decreased in 1874 and again