Evening star., 1901-12-14
TO REGULATE LICENSES
REVISION OF PRESENT LAWS PRO-
POSED BY ASSESSOR.
Draft of Measure, with Explanatory
Statement, Submitted TO the
Commissioners.


Mr.. Hopewell H Darneille. the District
assessor, has forwarded to the Commits
sioners the draft Of bill to regulate
licenses in the District of Columbia, which
he deems an urgent necessity.
There is a long-felt want" says Mr..
Darneille, "for general revision Of our
present license laws, which were passed by
the old legislative assembly of Washington,
and consequently are in nowise up to
date. They therefore should be repealed,
and the inelosed bill enacted into law in
stead. which would enable you to prepare
a measure that would meet the present
dema nds, reducing some. and bringing 9TH
ers justly liable to pay licenses within its
scope.
I'm the third section I have tried to meet
a question which for years has been a
source of worry to the District. caused by
the courts decreeing that taxes over TWEEN
ty years old are uncollectible, and with the
aid of section 4, 1 think the problem Is
solved, because they practically insure the
payment at some time of all taxes due the
District.
Remission of Penalties and Interest.
'In my annual report made recommen-
dation that some provision Of law be en-
acted vesting the Commissioners with
power to remit penalties and interest. and
also to cancel taxes. My reasons therefor
are that under the old system in force
many years ago, taxpayer, applying for
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
at the same time. Many other mistakes of
similar character, which must be attribut-
ed to negligence on the part Of some one
connected with the service, would seem to
warrant relief by the District, which l
have tried to cover by section D.
I'm the course Of a 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 5 of this
bill. Some of these cases are occaSfoned
by the lack of education on the part OF
poor persons and are really pitiable While
I have recommended section for their
benefit, it is of equal benefit to the Dis
trict, it will straighten out many tam
giles and clear our records to large en-
tent. I trust that the bill as whole Will
meet with your favorable consideration and
be transmitted by you to Congress for ac-
ton"
Provisions of the Bill.
The proposed bill provides that the Com
missioners are authorized and empowered
to prescribe the rate of license for the diff
ferent trades, professions. occupations and
business enterprises in the District OF Co
lumbia make rules and regulations for the
proper conduct of the same, and prescribe
fines and penalties for nom compliance there
with. Said fines and penalties to be en-
forced in any court of the District of CO.
lumbia having jurisdiction of minor Of
fenses and in the same manner that such
minor offenses are now by law prosecuted
and punished
The third and fourth sections, on which
the assessor lays stress In his letter OF
explanation, are as follows:
''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
Columbia, or to any proceedings that may
be taken to enforce the payment of the
same.
"Sec. 4. That the provisions Of section
of act of Congress. approved February
%. 1893. entitled AN act in relation to taxes
and tax sales In the District Of Columbia,
in reference to the sale at public or private
sale of property in the District OF Colum-
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. subject to taxa
tion on which taxes may have been levied
and were in arrears on the 1st 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
the District of Columbia, or the Commits
sioners thereof.
Section provides that the Commissioners
Of the District of Columbia are authorized
and empowered, when In their Judgment
equitable considerations require such ac-
ton. to cancel overdue and unpaid taxes
and assessments. and to remit penalties
and interest thereon.
Records Open to Inspection.
''Sec. 6. That hereafter the assessor Of
the District shall have the records of his
office open to the inspection of the pub
lie, free Of charge. only when the interest
of the government will permit it.
Sec. :. That all taxes and assessments
In arrea s. 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 pay
ment be made between the 1st day Of June,
1902. and December 81, 1902, both dates in
elusive.
Sec. 8. 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 as