Evening star., 1902-04-12
Proposed Increase of Taxation.


a resolution bearing upon the question of
proposed increased taxation, in which he
declares that. whereas Congress is about to
increase the revenue of the District of Co
lumbia by the levying of additional taxa
tion on real and personal property, because
OF the fact that additional funds are re-
quired 10 meet the deficit created by max
ing improvements of a national character
during the last few years, and that as Con-
gress has, without the consent of the land
owners Of the District and over the pro-
test of the Commissioners, departed from
the spirit of the organic act of 1878; and
whereas 1t has even gone far enough to
establish national improvements by acquir-
ing territory for the benefit Of the United
States, imposing the cost upon the few tax
payers of the District. overtaxng regular
revenues and wiping out the reserve fund,
1t was therefore submitted that the neces-
sity for increased taxation does not exist
at the present time, as revenues are suf-
hcient for current expenses. and cost Of
improvements not made elsewhere from
current revenues should not be attempted
here.
It should therefore be resolved that Con-
gress ascertain, first, to what extent there
has been departure from the terms of
the compact of 1873. and that an appropria-
ton be made to cover this amount; second
that all national improvements to which
the District has been required to contribute
tfit So contributed SnOuid be re-
funded to the District; and that Congress
should not in the future depart from the
terms of the organic act. This resolution
was warmly seconded and adopted.
Regarded as Injustice.
Mr.. Lancaster spoke at length concerning
what he termed to be the injustice of an
increased taxation upon suburban property
without, he declared, any adequate return
of the assessments by way of public i'm
provements. He submitted resolution pro-
testing against this method Of procedure
which upon motion of Mr.. Lambert was re-
ferred to a special committee of five. vest
ed with discretion to act in presenting the
matter to the Commissioners and Con-
gress.
A resolution was presented by Mr. Corey
advocating the extension of the gas main
on Br1ghtWood avenue from the Takoma
junction to the District line, which was ap-
proved.
A resolution heartily commencing the
support received by the Brightwood asso-
citation from the press of the city was
unanimously adopted.
Extension of Streets.
Mr.. Galen n. Green presented a resolution
asking that 14th and 18th streets be ex-
tended to Piney Branch road, and not be
stopped at the northern limit of the Saul
tract, as was proposed by the Commission
ers. This was adopted. as was also a reso-
luton approving House bill 1897, now
pending, for the Incorporation of the CO.
lumbia Heat and Power Company of the
District of Columbia.
AT the conclusion of the business meeting
Dr. A. p. Pardon addressed the assemblage,
and In an interesting way told of the
growth of the suburbs from the time when
the first piece of property located north Of
Dupont circle was purchased. DIR. Pardon
declared that the time has come when the
suburban or county sections of the District
should be recognized to the extent Of hav-
Ing at least one representative from time
to time upon the board of Commissioners
for the District of Columbia.
DR.. William P. Young gave an interesting
talk concerning the period of the raid Of
Gen. Early upon Forts Stevens and Wash
ington Mr.. William Mckay Clayton con-
ciuded in few remarks relative to taxa
ton, and the association was then enter
tanned at an elaborate supper provided by
the members in honor of the retiring and
newly elected officers of the association.