Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-26
Report on the Collection of Local
Taxes.
Mr.. DAVIS TELLSOFEVADED PAYMENTS
Water Rents Are for Undivided
Years Payable in Advance.
OTHER LOCAL MATTERS

Collector of Taxes f. G. Davis submitted
to the Commissioners today the annual
report of the operations Of his office for
the past fiscal year. During the year there
was collected from all sources 81, S34 .6s7 OF
divided as follows: Realty tax, s.. 756, 81 :;
personal tax. $3.50 s4s.65; penalties. $685.
923.59; miscellaneous items, 500, :SS. II
water fund, $227 5000.
An Interesting table is presented. showing
the net reductions and increases in the real
ty tax from 1879 up to the present time.
There is total of $9130S). 10 of taxes on
zeal estate remaining unpaid, and total Of
SiS1 ,:O4.5O of unpaid personal taxes. This
aggregate is taken from the year 1877.
The report then goes on to say:
Tine consideration given by Congl ess to
recommendations for more efficient
laws for the collection of taxes is of sGcl.
character as to discourage any further
attempts in this direction, but for their
Importance to the interests of the District.
No doubt can be entertained in regard to
the Importance of the passage of law In
relation to tax sales that will In some
measure protect the interests of the Dis
trict and provide sure and safe means for
the collection of delinquent taxes.
Under the present law, thousands Of dol
lars of delinquent taxes are annually can
celed upon application. and Che District
seems powerless to prevent 1t. and this
is granted by Congress. ii. r bill Si39,
herewith submitted is the result Of careful
revision and consultations with the dis
trict attorney and the committees OF Con-
greSs. and there seems to be no good rea-
son why it should not receive congressional
sanction. Under present conditions our tax
sales are principally attractive from the
fact that safe means is thus afforded,
under cover of law. for the cancellation of
arrears of taxes.
While the average property holder pays
his taxes promptly, a few take advantage
of our defective laws and evade their duty
as good citizens. thus leaving the burden
that much greater upon the prompt TAX
payer. To give an idea of the extent of this
practice l need only to mention that over
$4,000 in arrears OF taxes were canceiei
during the past year. and the amount viii
greatly increase in the future unless the
proper remedy is applied.
The estimates for the expenses for this
office fer the fiscal year of 1888 are: For
one collector, $1,000: one deputy collector.
who shall, in the absence or inability from
any cause OF the collector perform his
duties without additional compensation, ST.
$50; one cashier. 81. 800 one assistant cash
Ter, 81. 400: one bookkeeper, 81 LOCO: two
clerks at 81 400; two clerks al 81 ,2D eacn:
$500; contingent expenses, 1880; in all. SIS
co.
Water Rents.
An important opinion has just been rem
dered to the Commissioners by the attorney
for the District upon the subject of water
rents. The opinion was called forth by an
application from a property holder for re-
lief from the water rent for the whole year
the point being made that the water was
only used a portion Of the year and the
District was only entitled to proportional {
amount of the whole tax.
The attorney says in his opinion that the
10 duo aI1 md py,,is
Sioners have no right authority to ap-
portion Ii for a fractional part of year.
If it were otherwise. the District would be
required to keep accounts with water
takers, which would not only be expensive
as matter Of administration, but would re-
suit in diminishing the revenue from the
water service, and would materially inteH-
fere with the operations of the water de-
partment. Water takers pay in advance
for the privilege of Potomac water. 1t is
immaterial to the District whether they IL
fact use the water for the whole year OF
not; they have the right to do so.