The morning times., 1895-12-30
THEIR WORK In ARREARS
Board of Assessors Far From Hav.
ing Completed Their Labors.
Touched and County Real Estate
Not Reached.

A week from today, under the law es-
{ blshng the board of assessors, Messrs.
i.,ites Morsell and johnson, TO fix the value
{ real estate in the District for taxation,
/ ,ese gentlemen were to make their first
report. 1t became apparent several months
lgo that they would not be able to finish
10y that time.
As soon as Congress met a resolution
was introduced extending the time two
or three months for the assessment Of
property inside the city limits and longer
or the property in the county. This has not
passed but is sure to go through and win
accomplish its purpose. As Il RELIEF about
which there Is no question 1t may possibly
pass this week.
1t may happen that the date for county
poperty will need to be set forward again.
This is the first time an assessment has ever
been made here in this manner, and it is
very difficult to determine how long a time
will be required to do the work. Congress.
OF course, considered the question of time
when the bill was passed and the limit set
was thought TO be sufficiently remote 10
allow for all contingencies. 1t has been
found to be several weeks too soon, even
for the completion of the city assessment.
WIN lsit tAptiIthtt Sttih'u III sums
over threc-quarters Of the city, the assessors
have been able to determine very closely
what time will be required TO finish the
northeast section, where the general
character of the property is much the same
rs that already assessed. But when it comes
TO county work there is 10 experience TO
act as q guide. There are subdivisions
where the proceeding will be much the same
as in the city, after they are reached.
But ii will take some time 10 reach these
places. On many days nearly the whole
time win be consumed in coming and going.
Then there re the farm lands, with all Of
which no one is quite familiar. Sometimes
it will require an entire day to reach and
assess a single farm, if the same thorough
ness observed with city holdings prevails
throughout. Furthermore, for three months
now the weather is sure to be inclement.
There will be many days when it will be
impossible to do anything out of doors, and
assessment will cease entirely.
The board viii then give their time to the
consideration of liquor licenses. This will
settle vexed questions in that department
but will also put off the day for tue asses
sors' final report on their more important
labors. 1t is confidently hoped, however.
that the whole job, including the review
and making up the books by Assessor
Trimble, will be completed in time for col
lection of taxes under the new assessment
To begin on November l, 1896.
Very seldom has an assessment been
made anywhere so carefully as this has
been. The board have a covered wagon
something like a hanson, but considerably
larger. In this table with writing
materials has been firmly set. The asses
sors drive from place 10 place and personally
inspect the real estate which they are to
value. They take time to view the premises
closely enough to estimate accurately the
worth both of the site and the improvements.
If necessary, they go into the rear yard
and make rough survey of the dimensions
of the building. Then with the data gath
cred they return TO their vehicle and figure
out the valuation.
The time required for arriving at a con-
clusion varies greatly. Sometimes whole
block made up of buildings very much
alike Will be assessed as quickly as a single
residence built long ago and standing apart
from other property.