The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-06

irregular and il others the condition is
fair. He further states that this street
is soon to be paved, and the circumstances
generally appear to justify this new work.
This recommendation has been approved
by the Engineer Commissioner, and it is
expected that it will receive the favorable
action of the Board
Messrs George H Bliss Co., agents
for Mrs. Margaret L. Gaddis, recently fled
an application with the Commissioners
for the refund of taxes against lot 6,
square 232, for the years 1897, 1893. 1899,
and 1900. The papers in the case were
referred to the Auditor of the District
for consideration and report. Yesterday
| Mr.. Petty handed to the Commissioners
his statement in which he says:
1.-THE claim is made that taxes were
levied and collected for the years 1897,
1898. 1899, and 1900, for house on lot 8,
square 232, when, as a matter of fact,
the house aforesaid was not then in ex-
istence. The affidavit of Messrs. George
H. Bliss and Charles c. Clement. agents
for Mrs. Gaddis, under date of August 25,
1900, recites that the shed on lot 5. in
square 232, was blown down and totally
destroyed by storm and wind in the fall
of 1885,
"On the other hand Chairman Bates of
the Board of Assistant Assessors de-
clares that the field book shows that the
Board Of Assistant Assessors visited the
square in question one year later, De-
cenber 1, 1897, when making the trien-
NAL assessment and returned q frame
shed valued at $500 against the lot The
field book is the official journal OF the
Board OF Assistant Assessors, in which
from actual view, day by day, when max
ing the triennial assessment, they record
the results of their visits to and inspec-
tion of the property listed for taxation
throughout the District. 1t is the basis
of the assessment and is ordinarily ac-
cepted as conclusive in its statements.
The entry in this record is specific as to
date, and was made on the spot while the
Assessors were visiting the premises,
while the affidavit of Messrs. Bliss G. Co.
is indefinite and was prepared seemingly
from memory, three or four years after
the occurrence to which it relates.
when the Board of Assessors again
visited the property in 1900 the building
had been removed, and was then stricken
from the list This would seem to prove
that the removal or destruction of the
building took place some time between
December, 1897, and December 1900, but
it is necessary, in order to refund that
the exact date be established beyond
doubt or controversy. The burden OF
proof is properly upon the claimant whose
agents apparently have been tardy in Pre-
senting the claim.
LAS the case stands the evidence does
not warrant refunding, and l, therefore,
recommend that the claim be disallowed"
George A Beck, the Superintendent of
Roads of the District, has submitted to
the Engineer Commissioner a statement
of the county roads that need repairs in
the eastern section
He recommends the regraveling Of Asy-
lum Hill Road from Douglass Hall to the
Asylum gate. gravel to be obtained from
T Street, at an estimated cost Of $3.50.
also to finish cobble cutters on this road
at an estimated cost of 5000.
1t is proposed TO gravel the portion Of
Hamilton Road along the Jewish Gene
terry, at an estimated cost OF $780,
The graveling of Walker Road is recon-
mended from Good Hope to the District
line, .. an estimated cost OF 5000.
The statement closes with the recon-
mendation that Good Hope Hill Load be
patched with gravel at an estimated cost
of S150 and that similar work be done on
Benning Road from the Ana costa Read
to the District line at an estimated cost
of $3.50.
ba "Reminiscences -pcpntIy received n