Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-04
Bill Authorizing the Commissioners
to Prescribe Fees
SUBMITTED BY ASSESSOR DARNEILLE
Provision for the Remission Of
Penalties and Interest.
FINES AND PEN A L T / Z S


Columbia to prescribe license fees, make
regulations governing the same and fix PEN
atty for noncompliance Herewith, and for
other purposes
In transmitting the proposed measure,
Mr.. Darneille stated that from his stand
point it is deemed an urgent necessity In
the opinion of the assessor there is long
felt want for general revision of the pres
en-. license laws, which were passed by
the old legislative assembly Of Washing
ton. and consequently are in nowse up to
date. They, therefore, should be repealed,
believes Mr.. Darneille, and the inclosed bill
enacted into law instead, which would en-
able the Commissioners to prepare meas
ure that. in his opinion. would meet the
present demands reducing some and bring
ing others justly liable to pay licenses with
in its scope
In the third section" says Mr.. OAR
nellie, Il have tried to meet a question
which, for years, has been source of
worry to the District. caused by the courts
decreeing that taxes over twenty years
old are uncollectable. and with the aid of
section l think the problem is solved, be
cause it practically insures the payment "a
some time of all taxes due the District.
Remission of Penalties and interest.
''As you will remember. in my annual
report said the assessor, Il made recon-
mendation that some provision of law be
enacted vesting the Commissioners with
power to remit penalties and interest and
also to cancel taxes. My reasons there
for are that under the old system in force
many years ago taxpayer, applying f."
all bills due against him. was only fur
nished the then current bill. the force not
being large enough during the busy season
to carry on the current work of the Office
in a proper manner and look after arrears,
too. Many other mistakes of similar char
acter, which must be attributed to negl-
gcnce on the part of some one connected
with the service. would seem to warrant
relief by the District, which l have tried %
cover by section ).
Section 6 ,akes care of itself. and I be-
lieve is thoroughly understood by your
honorS.D Die body.
I'm section I have tried. in order to do
justice to all cur citizens, to have the in
operative personal tax law repealed.
I'm the course of i year a great many
applications are made to this office for the
remission of penalties and interest where
the equities are not strong enough to bring
them within the scope of section ; of this
bill Some of the cases are occasioned by
the lack of education on the part of poor
persons and are really ptiable. While l
have recommended section for their bene-
fit ii is Of equal benefit to the District, :
it will straighten out many tangles and
clear our records TO a large extent.
The other sections need 10 explanation,
and l trust that the bill a whole will
meet with you: favora BILE consideration and
be transmitted by you TO Congress for ac-
ton
Draft of the Bill.
The bill, as drafted by Mr.. Darneille, is
a. follows:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
OF Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, that the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
be, and they are hereby. authorized and
empowered TO prescribe the rate of license
for the different trades. professions. occu-
pationS and business enterprises in the Dis
tr:ct of Columbia. make rules and reeIla-
items for the proper conduct of the same
ard prescribe fines and penalties for non
compliance Herewith. Said fines and pen
a!t.es to be enforced in any court of the
District Of Columbia having jurisdiction of
minor offensas, and in the same manner
that such minor offenses now by law
prosecuted and punished.
Sec. >. That the regulations herein pro-
vided for shall, when adopted. be printed
in one or more of the daily newspapers pub
lished in the District of Columbia. and no
penalty prescribed for the violation of said
regulations shall be IN force until thirty
days after such publication.
Sec. 3. That the statute of limitations
shall have no application to taxes or as
sessments, general or special, that may be
due or payable, or that may hereafter be-
come due and payable TO the District of
be taken to enforce the payment of the
same.
Made Applicable to All.
Sec. 4. That the provisions of section 3
of the act of Congress approved February
%. 1898. entitled An act in relation to
taxes and tax sales in the District of Co
lumbia.' in reference to the sale at public
or private sale Of property in the District
of Columbia. advertised for sale for taxes
ana bid off by the collector of taxes in the
name of the District of Columbia. be, and
the same are hereby, made applicable to all
property In the District of Columbia SUBJ
ject to taxation. on which taxes MAJ have
been levied, and were in arrears on the first
day of July, 1897 at any time prior
thereto, and which have not been paid, and
which, at any sale held previous to said
date, were knocked down to or bid off in
the name of the District of Columbia or
the Commissioners thereof.
See. 5. That the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia are hereby authorized
and empowered, when in their judgment
equitable considerations require such ac-
ton. to cancel overdue and unpaid taxes
and assessments, and to remit the penalties
and interest thereon.
Sec. 6. That hereafter the assessor Of
the District shall have the records of his
office open to the inspection of the public,
free OF charge, only when the interest of
the government will permit it.
Sec. Z. That from and after the 3Oth
day of June 1901, SO much of the existing
tax laws of the District of Columbia as
levy, require the levy of taxes on per-
sonal property therein, be and the same is
hereby repealed.
In Lieu of Present PrOvfxiOns.
Sec. 8. That all taxes and assessments in
arrears prior to July l. 1899, where the
liens are held by the District of Columbia,
be received with interest at the rate of
per cent per annum in lieu Of the penalties
and interest now fixed by law, provided
payment be made between the first day of
June, 1901, and December 81 1901, both
dates inclusive.
Sec. .. That hereafter all property. ex-
cept that owned by the government of the
United States and the District OF Columbia
shall pay for special and water main assess
mentS
Sec. 10. That the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia are hereby authorized
and empowered to refuse to grant a license
for any exhibition for gain or to annul any
license granted, whenever in their opinion
the public interest requires it, or where the
exhibition is of an immoral, indecent or
disgusting character.
Sec. II. That all laws or parts of laws
inconsistent with this act are hereby re-
pealed."
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