The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-05

tra Junction suits way TIE Fliru IN
Connection With the Nnttcr-N
Citizen Makes Complaint Against
the Fire Department Examiner.
Under tie direction Of tho Commission
ers an effort is being mad, 10 euforc, the
collection ul personal taxes iu the Dis
triyt Of Columbia som, months ago tine
Assessor called the attention OF tn, Com
mi~sisn,rs 20 the conditions relative To-
the law, stating that il has been praciir-
ally dead letter. The Assessors report
was made with view 10 the resembling
"f tho law and its final repeal Before
taking steps i'm the matter the Commits
stoncrs referred the letter of the Assessor
70 the Attorney of the District for his
consideration and report The Attorney
submitted an opinion 20 the Commission
ers. stating i'm effect that the law is still
operative. and that in his opinion thor"
was no more reason TO set il aside as he-
Ing non-enforCeabIe than there would De-
of any other law
The result Of this opinion was that the
Commissioners issued an order directing
the Assessor and Collector of Taxes 10
take such steps as might De necessary TO
enforce the personal tax law. The law i'm
question is found in thcaCt ofCougTess ap-
proved March 3. 1877. and tn, Assessor i'm
his letter TO the Commissioners states
that it has been practically imperative
ever since its passage The Assessor took
the view that the personal tax law was
very Iepuguant To the people and that
the difficulties OF its enforcement was
aggravated by coucealmcnt of property
and by actual perjury
In addition to the difficulty attending
the enforcement OF the law thcr is "a
fine legal question affecting the right or
authority Of the Assessor 10 max. the as
sessmcnt- According O. the act OF lN57.
the Commissioners were directed 10 APP
point three competent persons 90 De ass
SCISSORS and TO hold office for term of
five years. On December ~. 1873. the
Commissioners. pursuant to the authorl-
" vested in them by the organic act Of
June II. 1878. to abolish and TO consoli-
date offices, abolished two OF tho offices
Of Assessor and consolidated the remain
ing office Of Assessor with that Of Treas
urer and the office of Superintendent Of
Assessments and Taxes under the name
Of Treasurer and Assessors Office and
on March q. 1879. the salary attached to
this office was made 5000 per aIlnum The
Office OF Treasurer Of the District Of CO.
lumbia was abolished 10y act Of Congress
approved March 3. 1881 and the office Of
Collector Of Taxes was established. This
act went into effect June 80 1881. BY or
der Of the Commissioners on July r. 1881.
the former Incumbent Of the office Of
Treasurer and Assessor was appointed TO
be Assessor.
Some hold TO the idea. yhc present As
SCISSOR being among the number that this
change Of officers has loft the Assessor
the sole representative OF the former
Eoard or ASSESSORS named under the law
Of 1NI1- II is held that this abrOgates an
important part Of that law. and that FOR
the present Assessor to assume the duties
OF that Board would make him virtual
Dictator in the matter OF assessing per
sonal taxes. Mr.. DarueiIle is OF the oDiu-
ion that the DUTIES of board could not
thus descend To- him, ana he holds that
th- law Of lS15. So far as ii relates 10 per
sonai taxes is uncomfortable. because
The proper officers do not exist 90 cuforce
it,
Th" Assessor is this week making an
assessment of the personal property uf
several persons. among them being some
prominent lawyers and business men
with a view 10 having Tho law tested iu
the courts He expects 10 De- euioined
from making such assessment iu one OF
more cases and the suing out OF such an
Injunction Will OF necessity bring up The
question Of the authority Of the Assessor
for settlements in the courts.