Evening star., 1898-09-14
Suggests Legislation.

In this connection 1 beg to refer to the
custom Of advertising old special assess
| ments every year; and in cases where lots
have been sUbdivided without payment Of
| assessments charged against them, to at
tach said unpaid assessments 10 each lot
in which the original has been subGvided.
In the interest Of economy l respectfully
suggest that authority be asked of Con-
gress to divide and apportion all charges
for special assessments against an original
lot among its Subdivisions in all cases
Where SUBDIVISIONS were made prior to the
oruer OF The Commissioners. which pro-
hiblted subdivisions of lots until all arrears
Of taxes are paid; also, that the law in re-
latIon to this class of taxes be amended so
as to conform with the law regulating the
advertisement and sale of property for de-
linquent realty tax, which provides that
property once advertised for delinquent tax
shall not be again advertised for the same
tax.
AS the result of the lack of proper ia
cilities to enable this office to introduce
modern methods in the transaction of its
business there has been much unfavorable
comment, and taxpayers who are obliged
TO endure the NeXatious delays and other
lhconVeniences Occasioned by the crowds
VINO throng the office during busy seasons
have We are free to admit, just cause
tor complaint but we do the best we can
with our present force and facilities. In
my report last year | presented a COM
parative statement showing the great in
crease of business of this office for the
past ten years. What was true then is
true now, with added emphasis. Our force
is entirely inadequate to the business de-
mands OF the office, and unless the proper
remedy is applied complaints must neces-
Sarily increase
Antiquated Fixtures.
AS to our facilities, the fixtures of the
| office are OF antiquated pattern, arranged
to meet the requirements of thirty years
ago. and could not be remodeled to meet
present conditions. Our furniture is old
| and dilapidared, made up of odds and ends,
not at all suitable for the purpose for
which it is used. and would not be toll
Grated in an up-to-date Office. Both fix
lures and furniture have suffered much
from the several movings to which they
| nave been subjected and the alterations
made to fit new surroundings.
In word, to afford taxpayers proper
facilities for the transaction of their busi-
ness, additional clerical force, more space,
modern fixtures and furniture are re-
! quired in order that the working force
can be so utilized as to give the best serv-
ice with as little delay as possible. With
| these changes and the addition to the
| force of an assistant cashier and coupon
| clerk, the office would be for several years
| equal to any demand made upon it, and
prompt and satisfactory service would be
| afforded the public.
Overdue Taxes.
"Our success in collecting overdue per-
sonal tax by means of the annual appro-
pration of $500 encourages us to ask the
renewal Of the same
The necessity for horse and wagon
to facilitate the outside business Of this
| Office especially In the collection Of checks
| and making deposits, has been referred
to In former reports, and we consider it
OF sufficient Importance to again bring
| your attention to it, with the hope that
facilities would greatly lessen the liability
from loss and the time saved by the mes
senger In making his rounds could be ad-