The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-14
Unfair Water Taxes.

To THE Editor OF THE TINES: My con-
| tention with the District Commission
ers about water rent being imperfect
| w reported in The Times, l deem it
proper to tell the whole story Seven
DAYS before the end OF the fiscal year /
was notified to install meters in two
houses, which, in 1895, were made prac-
ticaily one by intercommunicating doors
| The water rent had been S5.S for each
house My plumber estimated the cost
of the two meters at s7S. The minimum
charge for water consumption by che two
meters would be ST.. an excess of 81 cents
over the hitherto legal charge without
meters A single meter for the two
houses would cost considerably more, re-
quiring new supply pipe L petitioned
for a resembling of the unnecessary and
oppressive order. My petition vas de-
MED l then rendered Sl2 for the minimum
meter charge, which would be more than
could possibly be registered. and begged
| for n suspension of the order. That, also
was refused. | was about to comply with
| the requirement when my plumber in
| formed me that it applied only TO board
| ing and apartment houses. Thereupon
wrote again to the Commissioners, stat
ing that my two houses were neither
boarding nor apartment houses. They
| sent inspectors to report upon the ques-
| ton, and the result was that the order
| for meters was rescinded. But in notify
| ing me of the resentment they enclosed
a water bill as follows:
Stories 4; front feet. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. S12.0s
| n rooms ................ $50
:Is.5s
was dumfounded. l interpreted the
thirteen rooms to be the count IN tne
second of the two houses, which contained
eight living rooms and several small
| closets, and protested against the false
count. l supposed, also, tat the charge
/ of sl2 SIS was based on an error IN con-
sidering the LOT to front on X street,
| whereas ii is described in the deed as
| fronting fifteen feet on Eleventh street.
| The side entrance on X street was fnau le
! made, increasing the water rent from
S. 80 to 500. but was soon rectined. Again
/ was informed by the Secretary that the
matter would be duly considered by the
commissioners Meanwhile l learned
from my real estate agent that the thlr-
teen rooms" meant rooms rented. Wnlch
word appeared in other bills, but not In
mine There are sixteen living rooms IN
the two houses. Nevertheless. L PAID the
bill, but under protest, and so informed
the Commissioners, adding in my letter
this:
You restrict the tenant OF the two houses
Zone Of which is owned by my wife) to three
living rooms and tax the other thirteen rented.
Shameful And / have been shown other ex-
. asperating and unjust tax bils-one for two
rooms rented in four-room house IN an aiIey-
OF course. such injustice will be ventilated
And now the Engineer Commissioner re-
,uced the number OF rooms rented or for
rent to eight. and l am expecting re-
bate of $3.50.
NV real estate age.t mas in hand sew
oral similar outras, eously unjust bills.
For example, of three adjoining houses.
lust alike. one is charged for seven rented
rooms another for one, and the third for
none. Four times have inspectors WIS.,
tied the premises about this small mat
ter. much to the annoyance of my tenant.
And many letters nave passed between
myself and our triune travesty OF a terri
toriaI government which DISTINGUISHES US
ali w. IL. BURR.
Washington, August IL. 1901.