Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-16
STREET EXTENSIONS
The Subject Discussed in the House
Committee.
TAXATION IN The DISTRICT
A Proposition Suggested by Chair
man Babcock.
INTEREST ON ADVANCES

An interesting discussion of taxation and
street extension in the District of Column
bia arose during the meeting of the House
District committee today. The bill to ad-
vance TO the District the amount of the
deficit created by street extension pay
ments was under reconsideration, Chair
man Babcock having presented the amend
ment proposed by the House appropriations
committee, TO limit the time in which ad
vances shall be made and requiring the
District to pay 2 per cent interest after
July l, 1902.
Mr.. c. c. Glover and Mr.. Beriah Will
kins had been requested by the chairman
to give their views as citizens upon the
amendments, and were present. Mr.. Clio
Yer opposed the requirement of the pay
ment of interest by the District. He said
he thought there was objection to the
limitation of advances. but he could not
admit the equity. in the circumstances of
requiring the District to pay interest.
Question of Street Extensions.
1t at this point that Chairman Bah
cock brought UP the question of street ex-
tensions. He said he confident there
would be further legislation for street
opening at this session. not, in fast until
n decision was reached upon the question
of assessments for benefits. When that is
done, there will have to he a rearrange-
ment Of the division of cost of street
extensions. He recalled to the committee
that Commissioner Macfacland had stated
that there would be more street open
ing until the general government should
pay its share of the cost While Mr. Hab-
cock thought that broad statement, it
had been made.
Chairman Babcock made the statement
that all Legislation thus far upon street
extensions had been in accordance with
the views of leading financial men. He
could call off tWenty-fiV names of promi-
nent men who had urged that the streets
be opened and let the cost be divided be-
tween the District and the abutting prop
erty owners The Evening Star alone, he
said, presented an exception, dissenting
from this policy.
Personal Tax Proposition.
Recurring to the bill under consideration
Mr.. Babcock said that a proposition might
be made on the floor of the House to
amend the bill by attaching a provision
like the Iowa personal tax law. to assess
at its full value and tax personal property
in the District.
Mr. Glover and Mr.. Wilkins protested
against this suggestion.
'.If you do that" said Mr. Glover. you
will destroy values in Washington. To tax
mortgages would be to drive out the safest
form of investment we have IN WaShlns-
tom
II cannot think" said Mr.. Wilkins, that
Congress will seriously consider a propo-
sition to impose such tax in Washington
We stand in different relation. in this
respect from other cities, our real estate
taxation making the difference"
Mr.. Wilkins pointed out that while it was
true his home county IN Ohio levied per-
sonal tax, the real estate tax was only
mills, while here it was ID mills.
Mr. Wilkins said the question of interest
payment upon advances was not important,
except as it might prevent precedent for
future dealings between the District ana
the general government.
Mr. Babcock gave it as his opinion that
the District would not be called upon to
pay a dollar In interest The interest
would not commence to run until July 1,
1902, at any rate, and the deficit might be
wiped out by that time.
Ohio's Excessive Taxation.
Mr. Wilkins, referring to the personal
tax proposition, said that a great many
wealthy men came to Washington because
the system of taxation was attractive. He
said that Ohio's excessive taxation had
forced men like Mr.. Mclean, Mr.. Warder
and Mr.. Boardman to come here with their
investments.
Mr.. Cowherd of the committee suggested
that perhaps the law was too lax, If it per-
mitted rich men to escape their obligations
to the cities where they made their money.
Mr.. Otey added that it looked like "rubbing
Peter to pay Paul
The amendments We're adopted requiring
the District to pay per cent interest and
limiting the time in which advances shall
be made.
An amendment to the game bill, recently
reported, was adopted, excepting Belgian
hares from its provisions The bill reQuir-
ing the relocation of street railway tracks
in certain cases was withdrawn from the
House calendar, to be re-referred to the
Commissioners. An amendment was author
lied to the Providence Hospital bill pro-
viding that nothing shall impair provision
for the return of a certain appropriation to
the government in case the property should
ever be sold.
A bill was reported favorably to increase
the force at the almshouse and workhouse
in accordance with the Commissioners rec
concentrations.
The police reorganization bill was not
reached at today's meeting. the other bills
occupying all the time