Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-22
PAYMENT OF TAXES
Annual and Semi-Annual Plans,
Respectively, Under Discussion.
CRITICISM OF DISTRICT Assessor
Statement in Response Thereto
Made by Mr.. Darnei|Ie.
D EFF EN- Dis HIS POSITION

The discussion at the recent meeting Of
the board Of trade of the question of the
advisability of one or two annual payments
of taxes in the District has given rise to
considerable talk among citizens. At the
meeting referred to Mr.. Edison, the presi-
dent of the board Of trade, came down from
the chair and took part in the discussion.
He said that 1t was unfortunate that this
young assessor of the District has under
taken to recommend an annual payment of
taxes. 1t is decidedly a backward step
Other cities and other states have semi
annual payment system, and 1t has proved
very agreeable to the taxpayers. 1t is the
city assessor who is responsible for the agi-
tation of this matter for an annual pay
ment, and 1 believe that on his part it is
all a question of labor and of bookkeeping,
and not one Of economy. 1 know
from observation that 800 out Of every LOCO
people who own their homes want to pay
their taxes twice instead of once a year
Don't let us go backward in this matter
On several occasions this question has
arisen for consideration, and in each in
stance 1t has been the unanimous verdict,
with the exception of the vote Of our tax
assessor, that the semi-annual payment is
what is desired"
An investigation today made 1t pretty
clear that there are a good many people
In the District who would prefer to paw
their taxes only once year, as there are
also good many on the other sde There
Is evidently no unanimity among either
business men or property owners on the
subject, and 1t would be hard to say where
the majority rests.
MIR. Darneille's Statement.
Mr.. Darneille the assessor for the Dis
trict Of Columbia, in speaking to a re-
fnr no u
to the matter that he was very much sur
prised and could not possibly understand
the reason for Mr.. Edson's attack upon
him at the meeting Of the board Of trade
thursday. night last during his absence
from the meeting. As he had been called
upon by a host of his friends to explain
the matter. he thought it best to make a
statement to The Star of his position
In the first place. said Mr.. Darneille,
"a commission was appointed by the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia to
visit several of the large cities Of the
United States for the purpose Of ascer-
tanning the most practical, complete and
simple methods of collecting the taxes
tive research the members of the
commission finally concluded that the
system in vogue in Providence. r.
l.. was the best that they had
of the operations OF that system to the
Commissioners, and unanimously recon-
Elended its adoption by the District Of Co
lumbia. The then assessor of the District
reported that 1t would be Impossible to In
stall the Providence system with the limit
ed force of clerks in the assessors office
Shortly afterward change was made
in the aSsessorship by the Commissioners,
and | was placed in charge Of that office,
with Instructions to proceed to Providence
and study the practical operation of their
system, in order to prepare for organizing
my office upon the lines Of the system
recommended. After my return from Provi
dence a commission was appointed, con-
sisting Of the auditor, chairman, the col
lector the assessor and the attorney for
the District to revise the laws relating to
the assessment and collection of District
taxes, and especially those relating to the
payment of taxes, and that commission re-
ported unanimously in favor Of the one
payment system, used in Providence,
Boston, New York. Philadelphia and al
most every other large city in the United
States.
What the Books Show.
at is therefore plainly apparent that this
young assessor was not and is not by any
means the only agtator OF the one-pay
ment system, that all other cities have
two payments, and this Mr.. Edison well
knew, it thoroughly explained to
him several occasions. Probably the
best evidence Of the wishes OF the people
with regard to or two payments per
the assessors office, which prove that over
so per cent of the people owning but one
piece of real estate their own homes) pay
their taxes but once year, and generally
In May or June.
Il hope Mr.. Edison does not consider 1t
to be a crime for me to be young. 1t may
be unfortunate. but 1t is something l can
not help. l have tried to perform my duty
1 believed 1t to be laid out for me. L
may have made many mistakes, but l do
not attribute them to nv age
Recommended in Annual Report.
I'm my annual report, it will be remem-
bered, 1 recommended the one payment
plan of taxes. At the annual meeting of
the board Of trade, Mr.. Edison, as president
objected to that plan strongly. In a con-
versation at that time 1 told Mr.. Edison
that there must be one Of two things done.
Either the one payment plan would have to
be adopted, or IL we have two payments
there must be additional force placed in
the assessors office. told him that If the
force was increased and the business peo-
ple were opposed to one payment. the as
SCISSORS would make no objection to two
payments. Mr.. Edison said he would do
ali in his power to have the office force
and facilities increased so that two pay
ments could be carried out, and told him
that / would not take any further steps Of
myself, to urge the one payment plan. At
ter all this it is strange for Mr.. Edison to
say that it is the District assessor who Is
responsible for the agitation Of this matter
for an annual payment.
Now. in brief, l still believe that one
payment Of taxes each year Is the wisest
plan. still think that majority of the
Individual owners OF property would prefer
that plan; but am here to act as assessor
and not to make laws, and If the facilities
for receiving two payments Of taxes a year
and for keeping the books current on that
basis are furnished 1 am perfectly willing
to waive my personal opinion on the sub
ject."
Fatal Accident on Shipboard.