The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-10
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
A Case Involving Former Methods
in the Assessors Office.
An Application for the Remission of
Interest and Penalties on TAX
Sale FnvornbIy Reported Upon
Esfabiishmcnt of Fire Hydrants-

Sale FnvornbIy Reported Upon
Establishment of Fire Hydrants.
Benjamin W. Guy. of 313 Ninth Street
northwest, has requested permission TO
pay the tax for 1887 against sub-lots / to
T. in square 1913, and-pa of lots and 20,
square 97S, assessed in the name of George
A. Bohrer, without penalties and inter-
est.
The Assessor, in making his report up
on the matter, calls attention to the allie
cation made by Mr.. Guy that the failure
to pay the taxes at the proper time was
due to the fault of the Assessors office
in not furnishing bills when called for.
and that the fact that the tax referred
to is now unpaid was due to the defective
methods then in vogue in the Office. With
reference to the matter, the Assessor
says:
1T must be conceded that the past
methods were not up to the standard in
vogue at the present time. Mr. Guy states
that he succeeded ito the management of
the estate IN 1885, and since that time has
made repeated requests for all bills
against the George a. Bohrer estate, and
had no intimation until recently, when
calling for other bills. that the bill for
1887 was unpaid. the principal of which
is SCI 81. and with penalties and interest
added amounts to S1S3.23.
This statement of Mr.. Guy is, no doubt
made in good faith and | am inclined to
accept it. Under date of Goth instant Mr..
George p. Bohrer, son of the late George
A. Bohrer files a sworn statement that
on or about June 16, 1920. he made appli-
cation for all bills against the estate of
George a. Bohrer for the purpose of pay
irg same, and number of bills were
furnished, amounting in the aggregate to
sl.l3s.2S which he paid June 50, 1890, and
said payment is evidenced by the records
OF this office.
I'm view of the statement of Mr.. Guy
and the sworn statement of Mr.. Bohrer
/ am forced to the conclusion that the
fault was on the part Of the office, attrib-
utable to the loose methoCs then prevail
ing, and the taxpayer should not suffer
thereby.
Il am clearly of the opinion that relief
should be granted in this case in abating
the penalties and interest on the unpaid
tax for 1887 against sub-lots l, 2, 5, 4.
square s75, and part of sub-lots and 20,
square 97S, assessed to George a. Bohrer
from June 50. 1890. the date of payment
under the re quest of June 10, 1890, as duly
SWORN to by Mr. George P. Bohrer, and
l so recommend"
In forwarding the papers to Commits
sioner Ross who has charge of the AS
SCISSORS office. DIR. William Tindall, Sec
rotary to the Board, offered the follow
ing suggestions:
THE principles at the base of the AS
SCISSORS recommendations seem to be to
be those which should govern the Com
missioners in such cases in the absence of
any enabling statute, and such as would
govern fair dealing in private TRANSACT
tons.
'Of course the taxpayer can protect
himself absolutely under the law by OBJ
tanning certificate, but as the Office ad-
mits that he made an application for all
bills against the property for the purpose
of paying them, and did pay all that were
furnished him, and that the tax record of
arrears was in such an unsatisfactory
state that the taxpayer was niSinformed
through the fault of the Assessors Office,
the good faith of the taxpayer appears to
be unquestioned. But the case derives es-
pecial force from the admission of the Of
flee that a correct statement should not
have been furnished with absolute GER
tainty, in view of the unsatisfactory sys-
TEN and the condition of the records"
Robert w. Dutton. Chief Engineer of
the Fire Department. has forwarded to the
rnitted to him by William o. Drew, the
Fire Marshal, to amend the police regu-
lations by striking out portion of sec
ton 4. article 3 The clauses intended to
be expunged are as follows:
THE Fire Marshal is hereby empowered
to enter the cellars of all stores and see
that all boxes and barrels shall at ali
times be so arranged in such cellars as
TO give free passageway to the fire de-
partment in case Of fire. and inserting
in lieu thereof the following:
The Chief Engineer, the Assistant
Chief Engineers, the foremen of the sew
eral companies of the fire department and
the Fire Marshal are hereby empowered
TO enter the cellars and upper floors of all
mercantile houses for the purpose Of see
ing that all boxes. barrels, crates. bales,
junk and other goods and fixtures are so
arranged in such cellars and upper floors
as to give free passageway to the fire de-
partment in case of fire"
In forwarding the recommendation TO
the Commissioners Chief Dutton says:
1.-The Fire Marshal states that in his
examination of business places. he is re-
stricted by the existing regulations to en-
tering and investigating the condition of
the cellars of such places. He is of the
opinion that not only cellars but also all
upper floors of business houses should he
opened to his inspection and to that of the
officers of the department in order TO
facilitate the work of the department in
the event OF fire.
II therefore recommend that the pro-
posed amendment, in the event of It's ap-
prevail by you, be referred TO the Attorney
for the District for an opinion as TO wheth-
er 1t is in proper form, with the request
that If ii IS not he will so amend it as
to make II So"
1t is understood that the Commission
ers will approve the recommendations
V. B. Deyber, OF 1913 G Street north
west. has requested the cancellation of
the tax sale of sub-lot q. square SO, for
water main assessment. For the infor-
rnntinn of the -krnrn m ssinners the Assessor