Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-07
Taxation and Sewerage Discussed by
Board of Trade.
REPORTS MADE ON BOTH SUBJECTS
Explanations Made by Capt. Beach
Of the Engineers.
M E A SU RES 1NDO RSED

committees on taxation and assessment
and on sewerage, and these subjects re-
ceived considerable attention at the hands
of the members. Capt. Lansing Beach of
the engineering department of the District
was present and explained the sewerage
system Of the District as now existing and
the Improvements that are contemplated
by the system of intercepting sewers that
have been recommended by the board of
sanitary engineers.
the meeting was called to order by
Theodore W. Noyes, president of the board,
George H. Harries being secretary
The board adopted a resolution favoring
the establishment by Congress of a new
department on commerce and in
dustries, this project having been advocat-
ed by the National Business League of Chi
cago. Mr.. Harries, secretary. was directed
to inform the league that the board would
do all in its power to secure action on this
important matter.
70 Repair the Long Bridge.
A letter was presented to the board bear
ing the signatures of a number of promi-
nent citizens asking the assistance of the
board in getting the roadbed of the ap-
proaches to and the causeway of the Long
bridge put in proper repair. The letter
cited the act of Congress Of June q, 1870,
by which the Baltimore and Potomac Rail-
road Company was to maintain this bridge
IN good condition for railway and ordinary
travel, and said the company had for some
years past persistently neglected to keep
the roadbed Of the approaches and cause
way of this bridge in such repair as to
make 1t suitable for ordinary travel. The
board of trade was urged to bring this mat
ter to the attention of the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia and the Secre-
tary OF war, in order to have remedy for
the present condition of the bridge. This
letter was referred to the committee on
bridges Tor consideration and report.
Report on Taxation.
When the special order of bushes was
taken up Mr.. John Joy Edison, chairman
OF the committee on taxation and assess
ment, made report from his committee,
which has been printed in full in The Star.
The report urged upon the board the ne
cessity Of securing the passage by Con-
gress of the bill introduced in the Senate
by Mr.. Mcmillan on the subject of tax
sales, &c. This bill was prepared by the
district attorney, with the approval of the
collector Of taxes and other District Off
Gals, and has been published in The STAR
Mr.. Edison strongly urged that the board
secure the passage of this measure
Under the law, he said, land the inter-
probation placed upon 1t by the decisions
of the Supreme Court of the District, In
the case of John H. Brewer against the
District of Columbia,s when the property
has been advertised and sold for taxes
for several years. only such taxes may be
exacted from the last purchaser as may
be due for the year for which the property
was sold. Under this decision of the Su-
preme Court Of the District. a deed Of prop
erty made in pursuance of a sale of ar
rears of taxes for any given year passes
the property involved to the pure chaser at
such sale. and discharges the taxes re-
naming due prior to the year for which
the sale was made, so far as the District is
concerned. This causes and has caused
large losses to the government Of accrued
taxes. There seems to be no question that
this defect should be remedied by Congress.
A bill for the purpose has been prepared
by the collector of taxes the assessor and
the attorney for the District. This COM
mittee strongly urges the board of trade
to recommend this to the favorable con-
sideration of Congress"
The bill provides that before a deed is
given by the District to the purchaser Of
property sold for taxes for the current
year all back taxes shall be paid.
Col. BramhalPs Objection.
Col. w. L. Bramball objected to the adop-
ton Of the committees report on that part
Of the bill which relates to tax sales, claim
ing that the purpose Of the measure would
be defeated by court decisions. He claimed
that, notwithstanding the provision that
back taxes be paid before the District gives
a deed to property sold for taxes for the
current year, the courts would hold that
the purchase of the property for current
taxes would wipe out all claim the District
might have for back taxes. He said the
decision in the Brewer case, rendered by
Judge Cox, bore out his view of the case.
He said the bill should be so framed as
to cause property in arrears for taxes to
be advertised for sale for the payment Of
all taxes due the District, and not merely
Co. xIo Gov Nff hn rnr,f NJ Do,
hall moved to recommit the draft of the
bill to the committee for further consider
alton.
Mr.. EdsOn's Reply.
Mr.. Edison replied that he could not ac-
cept the views of Mr.. Bramhall. He said
it was the decision of Judge Cox which
called forth the proposed bill. Under the
law prior to 1890 it was required that all
arrears of taxes should be advertised each
impossible to make up back taxes, includ-
ing the current tax. 1t would require a
force several times as large as the one he
had at his disposal to do that, SO that in
to advertise only current taxes. Mr.. Edison
said the bill had been prepared with great
care after consultation with officials best
informed on the matter, and he hoped the
report of the committee would be adopted.
Collector Davis Views.
Mr.. Il. u. Davis, collector or the District
spoke in favor Of the adoption of the COM
mittees report. and said the bill would
accomplish what 1t was intended to &C
complish.
There is today" he said, "a condition
of things in regard to collecting arrears of
taxes in the District that every fair-mind-
ed man will admit to be outrageous, to say
the least"
He said the law permitted men to evade
payment of back taxes, and said in apply
ing remedy they had followed in the line
OF the laws of the state of New York,
which were supposed to be the best in the
United States on the subject. A few years
ago, he said, but few persons knew Of the
flaw In the law, and it did not make a
great deal Of difference, but now it was
generally understood and the loss to the
District was very great. Now property is
bought In at tax sales with view of
eliminating back taxes, and thereby reduce
Ing the revenues of the District.
Further Discussion.
Mr.. ]. T. Petty, the auditor Of the Dis
trict, approved the form Of bill reported
by the committee and said 1t would operate
Mr.. Barnard said he was satisfied the bill
would render the relief desired If passed
by Congress. He said the bill was explicit
in providing that back taxes should be paid
before deed WOu1d ha pivoS, hv Tho nj,