Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-28
THE COLLECTION OF TAXES
COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT URGE
PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL.
Recommend Clause to Make Taxes for
Next Fiscal Year Payable
in May, 1901.

The District Commissioners today notified
Senator Mcmillan chairman Of the Senate
District committee. that they will not now
urge the passage Of the bill which passed
the House last week providing for but one
collection Of taxes per annum, namely, in
the month Of May. They would, however.
they state. be pleased II the committee
could see Its way clear to recommend the
inclusion of clause in one of the appro-
priation bills which they explain.
During the past four months" the Sem
ate committee was informed. 1.-THE Commits
sioners have been endeavoring to tnau-
gurate a new and improved system of Keep
ing the records in the assessors office. 1t
Is generally known as the card system,
and was authorized by the act of Febru-
airy 8. 1900. Every effort has been made to
expedite this work. but it has been ascer-
tanned that 1t will be impossible to COM
plete it in time for the November collection
Of the annual taxes A COMMUNICATION con, c.
specially transmitted. stating the impossi-
bility of installing the said system In time
for the November collection"
The statement of the assessor Is to the eff
feet that at will be an absolute physical
fr,possibilfty for us to get the records COM
piete for the next November collection Of
the first half tax fer the fiscal year 1901,
thus making it imperative for a suspension
Of the November payment until the follow
Ing May, or to abandon the card system for
current taxes have to further state that
We have completed the listing upon the
cards of the arrears of taxes, which is
both a great saving of time and money to
the District
Omission of Collection In November.
After referring to the passage by the
House of the bill providing for but one an
nual payment Of taxes, and to the opposi-
ton which has developed to the measure in
the Senate District committee. the Commits
sionerS say they will not now urge that
bill. But they regard 1t as of the utmost
Importance that legislative sanction shall
be given to them for the omission of the
collection eff taxes in November next A
like arrangement, they explain, was author
lied by Congress for the fiscal year 1885,
which worked, they say. entirely satisfac-
torily to the people of the District, and
which resulted in a larger collection of
taxes in May. 1895. than in the two pay
ments in succeeding years. In May, 1885,
amounted to 81. 1879 5000, while the Novem-
Der and May collections in the year follow
ing amounted to but s2.067, 1879.
The legislation which the Commissioners
desire inserted in one of the appropriation
bills provides that the whole tax real
and personal property in the District for
the fiscal year commencing July l, 1900
shall be due and payable in the month of
May. 1901; that If not paid before June l,
1901. it shall be in arrears and delinquent,
subject to a penalty of 1 per cent per
month until payment of said tax and pen
atty. and that the whole together shall
constitute the delinquent tax, to be dealt
with and collected in the manner now pro-
vided by law.
The legislation desired by the Commits
sioners authorizes the Secretary OF the
Treasury and directs him to advance to the
District, in the manner now prescribed by
law, out Of any money in the treasury of the
United States not otherwise appropriated
such sums as may be necessary from time
to time to meet the general expenses of the
District, and to reimburse the treasury for
the one-half advances payable by the Dis
trict out of the taxes and revenues collect
ed as provided for by the proposed legisla-
ton.