The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-21


sundry recommendations deemed neces-
sary for the better and more efficient
| transaction of the business of the Of
| flee. The collections of taxes for the ifs
! cal year were:
Realty tax 50, 755. O53.5l
Personal tax Observation-Disclosures. la. 2IT. 80
Penalties and interest ............... s.. O5l.S7
Miscellaneous sources ............... sac $50. Il
| water fund OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. S49,331Ol
Assessment and permit work. ss.s9l9l
| Water service connections ........... I,I2s. 90
| Improvements and repairs ............ 10lS2 %
| On account of United States 16,S9S.d3
Miscellaneous deposits and repay
mentS) 4bs,Sol -
Permit work (wiiole cost ..........-. lS6,995.9o
Total 462s, co. Is
II have renewed my Recommendation, :"
says the Collector, for an increase in the
force of this Office which is made more ur
gent by the proposed change in the sys-
tenn of collecting taxes The increase
asked fer, namely. an assistant cashier.
two additional entry clerks. and a coupon
clerk, will be necessary in putting into
effect the changes We propose to inaugu
rate, and the advantages gained will. we
hope more than compensate for the ex-
pense incurred. The office has been en-
tirely rearranged, new counters put in
place, an additional cashiers desk added,
and more counter room for the conyen-
fence of the public.
1T is proposed to have all tax bills pre-
pared and carefully arranged in cases, in
alphabetical order. prior to the time of
payment, May, 1901 so that upon appli
cation the taxpayer will find his bill
ready for delivery, and upon payment of
the same he obtains his receipt from the
cashier, and thus avoids, in a great meas
ure. the long, yexatious delay incident to
obtaining and paying tax bills during the
busy seasons under the present system.
By this same arrangement We hope also,
TO prevent duplicate payments. as no reg
ular bill will be furnished. unless receipt
ed. which must necessarily be after pay
ment has been made. In order that tax
payers may have an opportunity to exam
inc and adjust their accounts before pay
ment. memorandum bills will be furnish
ed the regular bill being substituted
therefor at the time of payment.
Il ask the renewal of the appropria-
ton of 81, 500 for the collection OF over
due personal taxes the outlay being out
a small percentage of the amount co..
lected and 1t is the means of collecting
much that would be loss to the Dis
trict. During the fiscal year of 1900
there was collected on this account
80, 7sa.S4. -@-
Il have again included in my estimates
an addition of 500 to the salary of the
Deputy Collector. the amount originally
asked for being 1900, which / consider
only fair compensation for the duties
and responsibilities of the position.
THE necessity for an appropriation
for horse and wagon is urgent and
should be promptly allowed The amount
necessary is so trifiing in comparison |
with its Importance, and the fact that |
it would greatly lessen the liability frcm
loss. favor such action. ! again beg 10 |
to invite your attention TO a suggestion |
made in a previous report that Congress !
be asked for authority to divide and ap- !
portion all charges for special assess |
ments against an original lot among its |
subdivisions According to an opinion of |
the Attorney for the Distric. such as |
sessments cannot be charged in full |
against each subdivision of original lot,
as is customary. consequently these as
sessments. If collected in this way, are
Illegal, and are subject to refund. and |
are lest TO the District. In view of the
fact that there are some thousands OF
dollars of unpaid assessments on orfgi- i
nal lots. which have been subdivided,
collection of which is jeopardized by the
method OF advertising, it is very impor-
tant that some action be taken in the
matter.
For the successful operation of tie
new system il appears to be necessary
that a change be made from semi annual
TO annual payments of taxes in order that |
sufficient time may be obtained for the
in advanee-o of payment of all
AK bills. The necessity of the passage OF
l law authorizing the collection of taxes
n one installment has often been urged by
his office, and il gains additional force at
the present time, for the reason above
stated. l therefore earnestly recommend
hat the annual payment OF general taxes
De made permanent. The system of semi
annual payments which has been in prac-
.ical operation in this city for years has
developed no advantages to the District
IT taxpayers. 1t has been the fruitful
ause Of many errors on part of taxpayers
overlooking payment of the second half of
he taxes and subjecting them to the pay
nent of heavy penalties, and many small
axpayers through preference or neglect,
Who pay in one installment in MAY are
compelled to pay penalty on the first half
During the fiscal year of 1900 this Office
collected in penalties alone Ss4 ,220.75, a
arge percentage OF which was due TO the
wo-payment system. Business suffers also
rom the present system as over one mil
ion dollars is taken out of circulation
When most in demand in the transaction
e the fall business. when coal. heavy
lothing, and other winter supplies are
leeded.
THE tax sale of 1900 was but repe-
ition of the unprecedented sale of 1899 |
which exceeded all prior sales in its mag
litude. the certificates issued being sew
raj thousand in excess OF what were issued
1t any time heretofore. / have no reason
o anticipate any decrease in the amount
If future sales, and this fact compels US
o renew our recommendation for an APP
lropriation for the purpose OF preparing
or the sale hereafter. and encourages US
With the belief that no argument We could
.dvance could be more convincing of the |
necessity of such action than calling atten- |
ion to the fact above stated. The prepa-
alton, examination. and comparison of
200 sale certificates involves a vast /
mount OF labor; in order to accomplish
his. and prepare statement for record
n compliance with law additional force
must be provided. and 10 meet this con-
ltiol 1 respectfully recommend that Con- ,
ress be asked for an appropriation of 5000,
he same TO be available at once, for the | .
ayment Of experienced clerks to be Sc
ected from the force Of this and the As