Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-22
His. Annual Report to the District
Commissioners.
ESTIMATES FOR INCREASED FORCE
Summary Of Collections Showing a
Total Of $3,ooe, 3o2.ol
THE HAWKINS EPISODE

The collector Of taxes, Mr.. E. G. Davis,
this afternoon submitted to the Commits
sicners the annual report of the workings
of his office for the past fiscal year. His
report is as follows:
"For the past three years attention has
been called to the urgent need of legisIa-
ton in regard to sale Of property for de-
linquent taxes. Senate bill No. 91G, which
is the result of numerous committee meet
ings and amendments, appears 20 meet
the requirements of the case, and I trust
that its adoption by Congress will be
strongly urged.
From an experience of several years in
the preparation and sale of property for
delinquent taxes I have been impressed
with the necessity for some action looking
to the relief of this office from the en-
barrassments occasioned by the enforce
ment of the provisions of the present de-
fectiVe law. There is hardly q provision of
the law which has not been the cause of
litigation and as a rule at the expense of the
District and I am at loss to understand
why law so vulnerable at all points is
allowed to remain unrepealed and that an
expense should be annually incurred to
enforce it with no certainty of accomplish
Ing the results intended or desired.
Relating to Tax Sales.
ut is extremely urgent that law in
relation to tax sales, which will in a meas
ure protect the interests of the District
and provide sure and prompt means of
collecting delinquent taxes shall be passed
without delay, as, under the present law,
thousands of dollars of delinquent taxes
are annually cancelled, upon application
and the District seems powerless to pre-
vent ii, ana this state Of affairs must con-
tinue until relief is granted by Congress
Under the present conditions tax
sales are principally attractive from the
fact that a safe means is thus afforded
under cover of law, for the cancellation of
arrears of taxes.
1t has been the custom of this Office to
collect the surplus bid at tax sale, upon
issue OF deed to purchaser in accorda nee
| with sections 161 and I6", Revised Statues
of the District of Columbia. In recent
opinion by the attorney for the District he
decides that these sections were repealed by
section of the act of 1877, and that pur-
chasers at tax sales who bid for the pron-
erly more than is required for the payment
OF the taxes, interest, penalties and costs
are required to pay the surplus TO the col
lector of taxes before the close of the sale
and the issuance of the certificate I think
In view of the fact that this surplus draws
no interest, 1t would be well to re-enact
sections i6l and 1872 IF The Revised Stat
utes OF the District Of Columbia.
Street .Rnifway Tax.
The act of incorporation of the street
railway companies, with few exceptions. re-
CURES them to pay to the District in lieu
OF personal taxesii'4 per cent of their gross
receipts. My attention being called to the
noncompliance with the law on the part of
several of these companies, I notified them
OF their delinquency and informed them
that they should without delay make some
satisfactory arrangement for the liquida-
ton of the same otherwise would take
such action as is authorized by law to en-
force collection. Before the arrival of the
day set to distrain,s one of the roads OBJ
tanned from the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict writ OF injunction upon a petition
attacking the constitutionality of the act
and thus suspending all proceedings in the
matter until the case can be called and
acted upon by the court The decision in
inns ,i case WIZ act as precedent. and. if ad-
verse, the District will lose large amount
Of money; therefore to uphold its legality
no efforts should be spared.
Wants More Clerks.
MY recommendation for additional force
to meet the requirements naturally re-
sulting from the large increase in business
1 hope. will meet your approval and re-
ceive that favorable action of Congress
which its Importance demands. the Of
flee requires for its proper and systematic
management an assistant cashier and an
additional clerk, which are provided for in
the estimates submitted. The position of
cashier Is one OF great responsibility, the
duties are very important and exacting and
Increase with the growth Of the District
During the busy months, covering more
than half of the year. 1t is impossible for
one man to promptly discharge the duties
of the Office. No one Is authorized TO as
sist him or act in his necessary absence
and the Office is obliged to depend on a
clerk not familiar with the work to per-
fern the duties of the cashier, a position
which requires skill and experience An
assistant cashier would greatly facilitate
a IF fha nffir tytxyir, of oil
person familiar with and ready toNssume
the duties when necessary.
There Is an urgent necessity for an ad-
ditional clerk to meet the numerous re-
quirements of the added duties of the Of
flee. No system can be preserved without
sufficient force, and system is essential to
accuracy and promptness iE business.
MY estimates include an addition Of 5000
to the salary of the deputy collector the
amount originally asked for being s., 900.
which think fair compensation for the
duties and responsibilities of the position.
Handling of Funds.
'No means should be neglected to pro-
vide for the safe handling and transmission
u the funds received by this office. Any
one familiar with the methods we are
obliged to pursue, from the lack of facili-
ties, for the collection and deposits of The
funds. will readily agree that the risk from
loss would be greatly lessened were we
pose. 1t is necessary to visit all the banks
every day to collect checks before deposit
ing in the treasury.
I'm consequence large amotint of money
is handled which is liable to loss from acct
dent or theft in the rounds of the mes
senger. who Is compelled to go on foot;
whereas, with horse and wagon his col
| lections could be- made more rapidly and
with greater SAFETY the liability to loss
| being reduced to y minimum The convey
ance should be for the use of this Office ex-
clusively, SO as to bstavailable every day.
| have submitted anbestimate of $500 for
this purpose and hope It will be allowed.
Work Steadily Increasing.
THE work of this office is steadily and
rapidly increasing. Not only are collec-
| lions increasing. /, but sources from which
| deposits are received are multiplying by
the division of oldsanf the addition of new
accounts. With the present limited force
work is only accomplished by working over
time nearly one 4alf OF the year. July 1,
1889, two clerks rivera allowed this office.