Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-29
Sl1, 449, $500

Total tax on real estate and
personal property. s., O50, $500
The New Assessment Act.
IAN act to provide an immediate revision
and equalization of real estate values In
the District of Columbia" the report states,
land also to provide an assessment in the
year 1896 and every third year thereafter
and for other purposes was approved Au-
gust IA, 1894.
ITO give the time necessary for the re-
vision said act postpones without interest
or penalty the time for payment of the
first half of the tax for the fiscal year, end
ing June 80. 1895, from November. 1884,
until May, 1895, when the tax for the whole
year will become due and payable. This
change is temporary and applies only to the
tax on real estate for the present fiscal
year.
There is no change in the time of pay
ment of taxes on personal property, due
and payable in November, 1874, and May,
1895
1T was claimed that the law relating to
the modes of assessing real estate was very
defective, and all attempts to enforce IT
had produced widespread dissatisfaction
and complaint.
Every effort to secure uniformity In as
sessments had failed, and our taxpayers
were justly aggrieved at the inequality in
values. Several apparent causes contributed
to these results. Having the assessments
made by persons temporarily employed for
that purpose, and the difficulty Of securing
for this reason, the services of gentlemen
skilled in the determination of values,
one Of the principal causes.
"Ar other cause was the fact that each of
these temporary employees acted independ-
emily of the others. without any pre-
scribed rules which would tend to preserve
uniformity in the estimation of values
throughout the District. The time allowed
under the old law for the board of equalza-
ton to review and correct the inequalities
found to exist in the returns was also found
= Ns.alx fsnI f4,- Nt,r,a
results.
1T was also claimed that the present as
sessment was unjust and in many cases op-
pressive from the glaring inequalities 1t
contained and the gross errors in the esti-
nation of values. Our board of trade took
an active and intelligent part in formulating
bill to correct these errors, prevent the in
justice arising by reason Of them. and to
provide a system, permanent in character,
under which a fair and impartial sess-
ment shall at all times be possible With
this end In view the matter was submitted
to Congress providing for three permanent
assistant assessors, to each of whom is to
be given a salary sufficient to command the
services Of men competent to perform intel
ligently the important duties assigned to
them.
THE two committees Of Congress having
District matters under special considera-
ton were fortunately composed of gentle
men kindly disposed to favorable action in
any bill looking to solution of this VeXed
question, and a patient aid painstaking
hearing was accorded to all parties to ex-
press their Views on the various features of
the bill. My thanks are due to the Hon
James e. Cobb of Alabama, chairman of
the subcommittee of the House, and the
Hon. Eppa Hunton of Virginia, chairman
Of the subcommittee of the Senate, for spe-
cial ccurtesies extended to me personally
and the opportunities afforded for a full
presentation of the needs and necessities
for prompt legislation in this behalf
Our District is to be congratulated on the
In
and doubt not its beneficial effects will be
soon felt and appreciated by all parties in
terested In the prosperity and future de-
Velopment or the national capital. The three
gentlemen appointed as the board of assist
ant assessors under the provisions of the law
are citizens of high standing in this COM
that their responsible duties In this connec-
ton will be performed with that degree of
intelligence and impartiallty contemplated
In the act itself and anticipated by the pub
lie In the first announcement of their ap-
pointment.
THE basic principles Of the new law have
been persisteDtly advocated by this Office,
and hence i feel a personal pride In its
successful operation, and that the work of
the new board may meet the full measure
of public expectation; not only a vindi-
cation of the system itself, but because of
its anticipated beneficial effects on the
business interests of our District. How II
will result and what will be the outcome
of these anticipations remains for the fu-
Tax and Numerical Book.
THE clerks are now employed In the
preparation of the tax books for the pres
ent fiscal year, so as to have them ready
by the first Monday Of January next. the
date required by law for the revising of the
present assessment by the assistant asses
sors, from which time until the 1st of May
the entire force of the office will be busiy
engaged In calculating the values, noting
the various changes on the tax ledgers
and preparing the numerical books to con-
form to the revision. Last year the clerks |
were compelled to work day and night In |
order to secure completeness of the books |
for the collector of taxes at the time pro- |
vided by law, and b'!t for this extra labor, |
which was rendered without murmur or |
complaint, the satisfactory results accom- |
plished at that time would not have been |
reached. |
IF the additional clerk estimated for Ly |
the Commission ers is granted by Congress |
at It's next session, II is hoped that. by |
systematic arrangement Of the office force. |
the work required for the coming year may |
be performed without much extra duty.
Clerical Salaries.
''In making an annual average of 5000 |
fra sfers of reaI ia in tho fax hooks /