Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-25
House Committee Considers tho New
Assessment Bill.
THE BOARD OF TRADE PROPOSAL
Mr.. Weller and Mr.. FrizzeII Pro.
pose Some Changes.
NO TION AIKEN

The House District committee this morn
ing entered upon the consideration Of the
question of an immediate revision and
equalization of real estate values in the
District and provision for assessments in
the future, as provided in the bill agreed
upon by the board Of trade and the Dis
trlct Commissioners. In anticipation Of
this action a number of citizens were pres
ent including Assessor Trimble, Mr.. John
Joy Edison, Mr.. c. c. Duncanson, Mr.. NJ.
l. Weller, Mr.. Frizzen nd Mr.. Tucker.
President Stevenson of the Metropolitan
Railway Company was also present.
Representative Cobb, from the subcom-
mittee having charge of the bill. reported
it to the full committee. and said that the
first question for the committee to take up
is whether the committee desires to con-
slider the plan of assessment as provided
by this bill. There are, of course, numerous
methods of assessments, the object of all
being the same, and only differing in the
method. He explained the system of as
sessment which now prevails in this COM
nlunity, and said the object of proposing
change is to accomplish three purposes;
fixing the certainty of getting all property
listed, an equalization of values for assess
ment, and the certainty Of collecting the
tax and providing for the rectifcation of
errors in assessment.
He explained that this bill provides for
the appointment by the Commissioners OF
three discreet persons who shall triennially
assess the property of the District. Then
these three permanent assistants shall, with
the assessor, form a board Of equalization
and revision, sitting constantly. This is the
main feature OF the bill, he said, the re-
mainder merely providing details of admin
istration.
Mr.. Heard asked if this is not the usual
plan or assessment adopted by progressive
communities.
Mr. u,l
feature of the bill he thought was unusual
and that was that the assessors who rate
the property shall themselves form a board
or review to revise their own acts. The
central idea of board Of review is an in
dependent body revising the acts of others
He would prefer that each assessor should
have district, which he would assess and
an independent board of revision should be
provided for II property holder did not
appear before this board, 1t would be good
evidence that the assessors work was con-
sidered to be correct. He would have real
estate assessed every two years and person.
al property every year. He opposed the Sec
ton providing that improvements to the
amount of 500 should be taxed.
MIR. Edison Explains.
Mr.. John Joy Edison said the board of
trade. in conjunction with the District COM
missioners, had carefully considered this
Dill. The great object is to obtain an
equalization OF real estate values, which
VIII be as perfect as possible. To do this II
Is proposed to have the board of revision.
on duty constantly. 50 that at any time a
citizen can appear and have his assess
ment corrected
Mr. Heard suggested that ii is useless to
keep the board on duty for three years, as
they would have nothing to do after the
assessment Is completed but to sit as a
board of appeal. Would il not be better to
have beard which would sit occasionally
say every six months?
Mr.. Edison explained that 1t would require
year and half TO make the assessment
He added that with three men of good
judgment. business integrity and capacity
fair assessment can be secured. 1t can
not be done perfectly within eighteen
months, but long strides can be made to-
ward the desired end He hoped the bill
would be adopted.
Mr.. Wellcr's Objection.
Mr.. NJ. l. Weller, on behalf of the East
Washington Citizens Association, said
there are some features of the bill which
he would like to have changed. In the
main. however, the bill Is indorsed by the
association he represents. The idea of the
assessors reviewing their own acts is not
acceptable. Appeals will be made from the
judgment of the assessors, and they should
not pass upon those appeals. The board
should be increased 10 five members and 1t
would be a good plan to divide the city
into sections, and let each man handle his
own section.
Mr. Heard said he would oppose that
plan, and hoped the committee would also.
Mr.. Weller replied that in any event the
assessors should be appointed from differ
ent sections of the city. In this city the
poor man pays the bulk of the taxes. His
property is assessed at 90 per cent OF its
value, while the rich mans house and the
great office buildings are undervalued. He
thought the assessor should give a bond Of
from $4,000 to $4,000 However, rather
than have no bill at all, the association
would swallow this one.
Mr. Frizzell, on behalf of the Northeast
Washington Association, presented some
amendments, which. he said, were in the
line of those suggested by Mr.. Weller. The
board of trade, he said is composed of ele-
CANT gentlemen, who are. perhaps. several
degrees above the average citizen in point of
wealth, but not in intellect. The govern
ment clerk and the small property owner
are not represented in the board of ira lie.
and their interests were not consulted IN
making up this bill The amendments Of
fered by the Citizens Association We're in
behalf of these people.
The committee then went into executive
session, and took up the bill by sections.
After spending some time in discussing the
bill, it was recommitted to the subcommit
tee. The committee adjourned to meet next
Thursday.