Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-05
THE DISTRICT TAXES
Annual Report Of Collector Davis Sub
mitted to the Commissioners.
He Makes Some Pertinent Sugges-
lions I'm Regard to the Needs
of His ONCE.


The annual report of the collector of
taxes was submitted to the Commissioners
this morning. The aggregate amount of
taxes received from all sources was ST.
O67. 6O6. This was divided as follows: Re-
ceipts on account of realty taxes. $685..
1882. From personal taxes $l61. 4OS 81.
Water furd. 37,267.6O. Penalties, $72,-
1864. Miscellaneous items. 2.995.1O.
Collector Davis, In discussing the needs
Of his office and the current business, says:
Some Pertinent SuggestiOns.
We have SO often submitted recommended
lions looking to increasing the efficiency
Of this office. which have been entirely
ignored by Congress. that it seems almost
Useless to repeat the same. 1t is plainly
apparent that the revenues Of the Dis
trict are seriously curtailed by the failure
Of Congress to give us new tax law; that
the business of the Office Is embarrassed
by the lack Of force; that the balance of
unpaid taxes, real and personal, carried on
the books Is misleading. discreditable and
1nimical to the interests of the District.
and that a true balance should be obtained
by systematic elimination from the tax
ledgers of charges for property owned by
the United States and District Of Columbia
and property exempt by law. such as
y,
the cancellation Of the large unpaid balance
Of personal tax; that legislation that d.
verts the legitimate revenue of the Dis
trict should be repealed: That 1t would be
advantageous to make taxes receivable in
one payment, are measures that our ex-
perience has taught us are necessary, and
they lose none Of their importance by the
inaction of Congress. Your attention Is
again invited to the necessity for the adop-
ton OF measures covering these points.
BILL Relating to Tax Sales.
Much thought was given to the prepara-
ton Of a bill relating to tax sales. a most
important measure. 1t contained all the
best features Of the law In force in one of
the largest states of the Union, modified to
meet the conditions prevailing in the Dis
trict. 1t is no experiment, but is in prac-
tical operation. and is considered the best
law on the subject extant. The bill pre-
pared in this Office received your approval
after examination by the district attorney.
who pronounced 1t good and sufficient. 1t
was introduced In Congress. and died in
committee. 1t Is known as H. r. bill No.
32s3, and earnestly recommend that the
same be again submitted to Congress-, and
its adoption urged. The District is annual
~ put to the expense Of preparing and
previous years tax. and under the existing
law, owing to it's defective provisions the
rights acquired by purchasers at such sales
are OF such doubtful value as to deter many
ceipts from sales insufficient to pay
the expense of the same.
In order to avoid the crowds at the coun-
Ter, taxpayers who have awaited themselves
of the privilege of RENTING by mail have
increased in remarkable degree Two
thirds of the receipts on account of the
semi-annual payment Of taxes are received
In this manner. Then, how the small force
OF this office can make the proper entries
and return receipts in any reasonable time
becomes matter for serious considerati ton
a n m rod
quiries for receipts, as well as to correct
errors LIN bills, checks, &C., all growing out
OF this system of RENTING by mall This
method or payment will doubtless continue
10 grow In favor. and the difficulty of meet
ing the extra demand upon the office must
increase In proportion to the yearly in
crease In the volume Of business until the
same Is provided for by an addition to the
emcient force Of the office.
More Force Wanted.
with the view and hope of obtaining SUBJ
stantial recognition of the recommended
tion Tor an Increase Of force, have only
asked Tor the appointment of a deputy col
iector l believe the addition Of this officer
10 our efficient force the first and most i'm
portant step toward perfecting the organ
ration and increasing the efficiency of this
once. 1 deem 1t entirely reasonable con-
sistent ana compatible with the dignity
and Importance Of the Office that this re-
quest should be granted. During our last
fiscal year our total receipts exceeded four
million dollars and when we take into con-,
side-ation the responsibility. as well as the
great labor. involved in handling and prop
eriy accounting 70. this large sum of
money, l think IL will be readily admitted,
particularly by any one at all familiar with
the demands upon the Office, that my re-
quest should have favorable action, In a
word, the appointment is one that the ne
cessities OF the Office re lure, and no other
ADDITION to the force can supply or produce
the results that will surely follow.
In my last report attention was called to
the clause of the act approved April ".
1892. which requires half Of the fees for
water and other permits to be credited to
the United States.
The division of the receipts from this
source was a mistake, and should be recti-
ned before the District incurs further loss.
During the past year S,522 was lost to the
District by the operation of this act and
the probability is that there will be
greater amount the ensuing year.
An appropriation Of 81 800 for collecting
overdue personal tax needs no argument
for its continuance, as several thousand
dollars axe annually collected by its aid
that would otherwise be loss, and If Con-
gress should see fit to double the appro-
priation the collections from this source
could be greatly increased
Army Orders.
So much Of special orders of August %.
1894, as directs Capt. Thomas NJ. Woodruff,
fifth infantry, to proceed to Tampa, Fla.
and attend the encampment Of the fifth
battalion, Florida state troops, is revoked
First Lieut.. Hunter Lggett, adjutant fifth
Infantry, will proceed to Tampa, Fla. and
attend the encampment Of the fifth battal-
len, Florida state troops, at that place COM
mel cling September g. 1894
Ir9tT tn,rf IN