The Washington times., 1894-10-30
CONCERNS OF The DISTRICT
Assessor Trimble and Chief Paris
Present Their Annual Reports.
THE ASSESSED VALUATIONS
Chief Paris Asks for Increase Of Fire An
paratus-Renews the suggestio of More
Pay-The Garbage Contract to Be Con-
tinued by the Guaranty Company
Assessor TrImble yesterday submitted his

annual lopOIL LHe commissioner.
He calls attention to the provision of law
that imposes an addition OF per cent. as
penalty to assessments upon real and per-
sonal property In cases where one-half OF the
same shall not be paid before the first day of
December In each year, and q like penalty on
the frst OF each succeeding month until pay
ment OF said installment and penalty, and II
payment thereof be not made before the 1st
day OF the succeeding June, together with the
one half OF said original tax due before said
1st day OF June, like penalty on said last
half of the tax, and the whole together shall
constitute the delinquent tax. Mr.. Trimble
believes this to be oppression and hopes Con-
gress will modify the law.
A strict enforcement of this law is impossi-
Die without material increase of the clerical
force, but the assessor prefers that the law
be repealed. 1t is difficult, he says, to diyest
q law oil this character OF inquisitorial and
unjust features. 1t is wrong in principle and
invites perjury. Under the provisions of the
act OF March 8, 1877, personal property is as
sessed at the rate OF S1.50 on each 800 Of the
assessed value, with power to distrain for col
lection when necessary. The assessor regards
the salaries OF his official force to be too low.
DE desires an increase, especially in the
etldiiCo VI luOSo luplOyeu on expert WORK.
One additional clerk is asked for. Speaking
OF the new assessment act, the assessor says
1t was claimed that the assessment of real es-
tate was defective and widespread dissatisfae-
ton resulted
The real estate figures are subject TO re-
vision by the board of assistant assessors, and
the taxes thereon Will be collected on the lst
OF May, 1895. The act postpones, without
interest or penalty. the time for payment of
the first half from November until May, but
the change is temporary. being for the cur
rent fiscal year only. There Is no change in
the time OF payment of taxes on personally.
The assessed valuations are: Washington
Realty, $50, ,629, $40; improvements, SIC. .425,-
121; total, Sl6l, ,054, 761. Georgetown-RealtY,
S4,329,0l5; improvements, S3, ,422, 500; total,
S7,75l. .6l5. County-Realty, at $3.50, S12,-
O53,5s improvements, at $3.50, 50, ,097, $50;
realty, at 81, S5, ,604, $50; improvements, at 81,
1898, 100; total, Sc, 597, ,430. Total assessed
value of taxable real estate, 1892 555,O46.
Personally Washington, 1861, ,S43;
Georgetown, 1902, III; county, s76, ,785; rail-
roads. on gross receipts, S19S, ,740
Total value OF all taxable property in the
District, S204 ,O04, ,5S1.
Amount of tax for year 1895: Washington,
at S1.50, 81, 415, ,s21.4 42; Georgetown. al S1.50,
SIG, ,27422; county, at Sl.50, S257, PCS 60;
county, at 81, SOS, ,974.30 personally. at S15O,
Sl6S, 76l.l8; railroads, ar per cent, S5, ,569;
railroads, at per cent, S1.19030. Total on
personal property, S175,520.48. Total on
both, 5000, ,S59.02.
CHIEF PARRIs' REPORT.
In his ninth annual report. submitted yes
terday, Chief Paris, of the fire department,
condemns the house occupied by Engine
Company No. .. on D street, between Twelfth
and Thirteenth streets, as in a miserable con-
dition-not adapted for the purpose. He
recommends the erection OF suitable build
ing as early as practicable.
The discipline of the force during the year
has been excellent. He feels justified in say
ing that the men have been as near perfect
as they can well be.
The chief refers again to his request for an
increase OF the pay OF the force TO an amount
equalling 25 per cent, one-half OF the in
crease as heretofore stated N The TIMES, to
go to the relief fund
He says there is need for more apparatus,
The department is seriously hampered by its
lack Of apparatus and al adequate number
OF companies. He shows this necessity by
citing the possible contingency OF two or
more fires occurring ct the same time, and
suggests that in such an emergency the pres
ent facilities would be insufficient. He
urges that a reserve force be provided for.
The chief also calls attention 10 the neces-
sity for Congress TO make provision for the
establishment OF permanent relief fund.
There were seven resignations seven re-
movals, and fifteen appointments during the
year. Three men were reduced in rank.
The recommendation is made that practi-
cal machinist and engineer be employed to
take charge of repairs to apparatus, TO re-
spond to all alarms for fire and inspect the
workings of all engines at fires; also to make
daily tour of the engine-houses for purposes
Of inspection.
,IaNi NiOn {1 l.
crease in the number OF fire plugs, three
hundred being suggested as the number of
additions required.
Architect Brody. Of the building inspectors
Office. is at work on the plans tor the iron
fire-proof stairways with which the Abbott,
Seaton. and Curtis School buildings, re-
spectively, are TO be soon equipped. The stair
ways are to be Of iron. slate steps, iron car
riage, and wrought-iron balustrade. They
will be surrounded by brick walls and there
will be no wooden construction within the in
closure. The wooden flooring in the halls
is to be removed and complete, perfectly
safe fire escape within the building will thus
be provided.
The garbage question was put in good
shape yesterday by the appearance OF Presi-
dent Warfed, of the Fidelity Guaranty Com
pany, OF Baltimore who assured the Commis-
sioners that his company is ready to assume
the responsibility of the contract made by the
National Sanitary Company, for which the
Guaranty Company became surety. The in
tervew was brief, on account OF the early de-
parture of the train which Mr.. Warfleld de-
sired to take to Baltimore, but is was quite
satisfactory assurance to the Commissioners.
COMMISSIONERS ORDERS.
Orders issued yesterday:
That sewer in Twelfth street, between D
and G streets, be added to the provisional
schedule for 1896.
That drinking fountain in west side OF
Thirty-second street, between NJ and streets
north west, be abandoned.
@That four receiving basins be constructed
in Eighteenth street extended, between Cali
fornia and Wyoming avenues.
That the public hydrant in G street, be-
tween Second and Third streets, be removed.
That three gasoline lamps be established as
follows: Two on Delaware avenue, between
NJ and n streets southwest, and one at the
corner of Second and streets southwest.
The Commissioners have decided to employ
the ordinary heating apparatus for the new
school buildings.
BUILDING PERMITS.
Building Inspector Entwisle issued the fol-
lowing permits yesterday: U. s. Electric
Light Company, for addition Of one story and
general inside improvements to power house.
at the corner of and Thirteen-and-a-half
streets northwest, $4,000; j. ". Poston,
erection of two dwellings at Nos. 1886 and 338
Twelfth street northeast, 81, 900; d. Flaherty,
two dwellings, Nos. 3026 and 3023 Sherman
avenue, 81, 900; Elmira Hill, dwelling, Ivy
City, S400; Washington Gaslight Company.