Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-08
EAST WASHINGTON CITIZENS.
The Assessment Question Creates Lively
Discussion.
One Part of the Assessors Recon-
cent Reduction is Objected to-.

The regular monthly meeting Of the East
Washington Citizens Association was held
last evening at Baum's Hall. Secretary A.
F. Sperry occupied the chair in the absence
of President Babson. and Mr.. F. A Leh-
mann acted as secretary.
Under the call for committee reports Mr..
+. A Lehman. from the committee on
streets. stated that while he had no regular
report to make, he desired to say that the
list of streets that Capt Fiebeger recon-
mended for Improvement included those
recommended by the association Fifteenth
street. he stated, was under way as Tar as
Southeast Washington was concerned he
understood that members of the Northeast
Citizens Association had opposed the i'm
provement of that street In the northeast
ern section. They made a great mistake.
II such was the case. If this street were
improved 1t would be a direct communica-
ton between Northeast and Southeast
Washington, something that was emin-
entity proper and urgently needed Again
the Improvement of this street would fur
nish additional railroad facilities. for the
Columbia railroad would occupy the street
by extending its line. East Washington
wanted more railroads that was certain.
He desired also to commend Capt Fiebeger
to the association the most courteous
anable and efficient engineer officer the
District ever had
Mr.. VI. i. Weller approved the foregoing.
but called attention to the necessity of i'm
proving 10Th street from East Capitol street
to Maryland avenue.
The Question of Assessments.
The call for the committee on assess
ments brought Mr.. NJ. I. Weller to his feet
He referred to the recent scheme Of Asses
scr Trimble to allow a reduction OF 10 per
cent. to all Taxpayers who paid their taxes
November 1. and the postponemeat of the
November half Of the tax to May: He de-
sired to put himself on record as being OPP
posed to 10 per cent reduction. but was
In favor of a postponen1ent of the first half
of the tax until May. He put his Views in
the form of a motion for the purpose OF
getting the Endorsement of the association.
Mr.. William Birney was opposed to the mo-
tion- He thought the future was in doubt.
1t was not expedient to pass such a reso-
luton of this magnitude without careful
elaboration. AS far he was concerned,
he would much prefer 20 take his chances
in November. He thought the ASSOCIATION
should wait a little while until II was bet
ter informed as to monetary legislation.
He moved that the consideration of this
motion be delayed until the next meeting.
Mr.. G. VI. Emerson did not see why the
consideration of the motion should be post
poned. He had asked for a division upon
the first vote with the idea of presenting
an amendment inserting discount of
per cent in lieu of 10 per cent for taxes
paid in November.
Mr.. Weller said he was ready to put him
self on record being in favor of a post
ponement Of the tax until May. If the con-
stderation Of his motion went over to the
next meeting 1t would be of no avail. The
next meeting would be held within three
weeks OF the time for the first payment of
the taxes In the meantime, the Commits
sioners would have made whatever recon-
ton they intended to.
Mr. H. A Curtis was IN favor of The mo-
ton of Mr.. Weller. and Mr.. Cirouard
thought the matter should go over until the
next meeting
The previous question being called Cor.
the chair put the motion of Mr.. Birney to
postpone the matter until the next meet
Ing. The motion was lost by a majority
of two.
MIR. weller's motion. that the association
indorse the recommendation of Assessor
Trimble relative to the postponement OF
the first half of the tax until May was
then unanimously approved.
Opposed to the 10 Per Cent Reduction.
The second motion. that the association
oppose the proposed reduction of 10 per
cent for all taxes paid November l. was
next called up. Mr.. Emerson moved to in
sert a reduction of per cent. but receiving
no second to his motion a vote was called
for.
Gen. VIM. Birney thought If the associa-
ton approved one portion of the recon-
mendation IL should indorse Ii all. He was
In doubt as to the effect upon the revenues
and wanted to know IL there would be a
deficit, which would affect improvements
WI Wcier III reply tQdI lnere
would be no embarrassment whatever The
treasury was in the habit of advancing
money. and would continue to do so. If
such a Befarious proposition as allowing a
discount of 10 per cent on taxes paid No
vember i prevailed IL would be a disgrace
to the city. People to avail themselves of
such a discount would sacrifice the pay
ment of all other debts.
Mr.. H. A. Curtis thought a discount of
10 per cent would only benefit the rich, and
10 would be class legislation in favor of the
rich man II such thing prevailed.
The president pro tenn stated that the as
fndorsing the proposition of Mr.. Weller op-
posing the discount of 10 per cent on taxes
paid in November. as recommended by the
assessor. until each gentleman had spoken
on the subject.
The question was put. and Mr.. Weller's
motion prevailed The association there
fore puts itself record as being opposed
to the 10 per cent discount.
Gen. Birney raised the point of no QUO
rum voting, but the chair ruled that the
question had been settled, and the point of
no quorum could only be raised as far as
IL affected future business. A livelv par
Birney appealed. There being a quorum
present when the vote was taken Gen. Biz
ney's appeal was lost. Messrs. Weller and
Walker having withdrawn from the meet
ing Gen. Birnev renewed his point of no
quorum. He withdrew his point. however.
end substituted motion to adjourn, which
was carried The chair stated that at the
meeting In October the election OF officers
and the filing OF two vacancies on the
ecrItive COMMITTEES would come ND. and he
hoped there would be a large attendance.