Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-09-05
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Alexandra, Sept. /, 1899
To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette

STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Alexandra, Sept. /, 1899
To the Editor ofthc Alexandria Gazette
Dear Sir Tne subject OF street im-
provements being, just at present, the
lsaciug topic of iicussion amongst us,
and knowing your great interest in this
q in every thing else that coucerus the
well-i eing OF our city, take the liber
~ OF wiring you this rather lengthy
letter, in order 10 lay before you few
ideas upon, 10 me, most Interesting
subject.
The subec. OF street improvement
seems TO have-in the public mird-
two phases; the one relating 10 improv-
ing their topography; the other relating
to the financial ways and means, " here
by our present streets can 0e iepaved.
The late action of the committee Of
the Business Mems League srpears to
have given expression to the first of
these phases. If the committee mean
that the topography of Alexandria, will
be improved by the adoption of their
plan, they will find that large MAORI
" of our citizens do not agree with
them. Few cities or towns are more
beautifully laid out, few cities have
more beautiful streets, so lar as width
aud grade are concerned. But if the
committee mean-and this seems the
more reasonable Interpretation of their
ac.ion-.that the first cost of improv.
lug the streets Will be greatly reduced
by the adoption OF their plan, then
their action is entitled to more consid.
GRAFTON; bat upon that subject do not
care 10 enter into a discussion in this
letter. To psy the cost Of Improving
the streets the City Council has au
thorty so submit to the vote of the
ireeholders proposition to issue $780,
600 worth of city bonds. Favorable
action by the freeholders upon that
proposition would furnish the means
necessary to do the work, and at the
same time it would place the cost of
the improvements where it very
properly and very equitably, be.
longs; namely; upon their pos
terity. But in order that such favor
able action should be taken by the
freebooter it becomes absolutely nee
essary to first show them how and
where the money necessary to pay the
interest upon such bonds is to be rails
sd. To zoe there appears to be only
three possible ways whereby the money
can be raised.
l. By increasing the taxrate.
,. By refunding the present bonded
4 Nor hoaia
8. By the city adopting modern,
accuate, scientific method Of assessing
property for the purpose of city taxa
tion.
The first Of these ways may be class
ed as impracticable, because it will
pever be consented to by the taxpay-
ers, and, again, it would be highly del-
rimental to the city, as it would drive
away prospective purchasers.
The second method is possible and is
we'll worthy of attention; but that any
thing practical will result therefrom,
is rather improbable. The third method
is fair, equitable and practical, and 1t is
of that method that | wish to make
some explanation.
Taxes being necessary evil, it be-
comes the duty of all governments to
so distribute them that no lHdlvldu al
shall bear more nor less than his eqult-
able share Of the burden. To distribute
this burden equitable, some accurate,
scientific method, or system, is an abso,
lutte necessity and the distribution Will
be fair and equitable in exact proper
ton to the accuracy OF the method.
Our method, or system OF distribution,
requires the assessor to view the prop
erv aud to fix upon such lump sum
as its taxable value a., 10 his best
Judgment, seems fair aud equitable,
and rs such taxable value he mas TO
take such sum as, in his best ludS'
ment the property would bring If put
upon the market AZ a forced sal
After he has made his asses smeDts,
the books of the assessor are thrown
omen to the taxpayers for the purposes
! OF inspection, objection and correction.
This method or system is grossly un-
scientific for the following reasons
|. 1t presumes that the taxable value
Of property is Identical with its value II
nut upon the market at forced sale.
| NOW, dS a l1EtACt VI law tAS'O ~ ~
necessary relationship between the two
values at oil. The taxable value OF
anv piece Of property is succ sum as
sessed against it as will cause the own
er to pay his equitable share CT tax
levied upon all the property in the
community, and such taxable value
may be actually more or less than the
value of the property at forced sale.
>. Our method requires the assessor
to determine what sum each separate
piece of property would bring if put
upon the market at forced sale. rms
is recurring him to do something when
is practically impossible, as the @ value
of any piece OF property at any future
forced sale is altogether matter OF
time and circumstance, and ss the as
SCISSOR can not possibly scientifically as
certain that value he is compelled 10
substitute his best guess.
$ After the assessor has compie'eu
his assessments for the whole city by
this method of guessing" at the value
of each separate piece of property 10
the community, after having made an M
assessment which, to the best OF nus Is