Evening star., 1902-01-08
2roject Advocated by East Washing
ton Cit:zens' Association.
ADVANTAGES OF THE ROAD OUTLINED
equalization of Taxes Recon-
mended and Resolution Adopted.
OTHER BUSINESS MATTE RS

attentiOh was gwen the matter OF street
railways, special report having been made
by Chairman w. Mosby Williams of the
railroad committee. The report was de-
voted to the mater of building a town
street car line, and attracted the interest of
the members generally. Several members of
the association were ready to move the
adoption of the suggestion made in the re-
port Mr.. Williams read the report, which
was as follows:
After due consideration of the subject of
street railways, and the wants of the east,
north, southeast and southwest sections.
the committee recommends to the. associa-
ton that it favor the building of a cross
town road, commencing near the steamboat
wharves on the Potomac river southwest;
thence to the Washington navy yard over
any route that will be sat 'sfactory to a
company, and from there past the Eastern
Market to 18th and II streets northeast,
which will be near the American base ball
grounds: thence to the railroad junction,
10TH and H streets, and thence to Mt. Oil
vet cemetery, returning via 18th street
northeast to the Washington navy yard,
with branch from 18th street and Florida
avenue to 7th and u streets northwest.
Utility of the Road.
This line will accommodate the very
large number of residents of Southwest
with short line to the Washington navy
yard and Anacostia. 1t will supply the
growing need of that part of the city lying
between 9TH street southwest and the navy
yard 1t Will enable the residents in the
navy yard and all the residents of South
east Washington to reach the Eastern Mar
het, corner Ith and & streets southeast, and
also the Northeastern Market, 18th and H
streets northeast. 1t will give quick COM
munication from the southwest and south
east and the northeast to the Coliseum, at
18th and streets northeast and to the
new American base ball grounds, and to
what will in the future be a great railroad
center, 18th and H streets northeast.
MS committee recommends that a bill
be introduced in Congress requiring some
street railroad company in the District of
Columbia to build a line set forth herein.
and would call the attention of the associa-
ton to a proposition advanced by a gentle
man IN this city, well verSed in railroad af-
fairs and city needs. of the feasibility of the
Washington and Annapolis electric railroad
operating the route herein described
In any recommendation made by this
ASSOCIATION this committee Will insist upon
the addition of an interchangeable transfer
system by all roads interested by this sug-
geSted cross-town line"
Chairman Williams Suggestions.
Mr.. Williams said he might have added
that the matter be referred to the railroad
committee to act with the members of the
executive committee. The question of get
ting crosstown road, he argued is a mat
ter of vast Importance to the people of the
sections through which the cars will pass
He suggested many advantages to be de-
rived from the construction of such a road
President Smith, during the course of the
discussion, said he thought one of the local
street car companies would gladly take hold
OF the proposed road
Mr.. Shepherd Nottingham offered a reso-
luton to the effect that upon all the tax
able real estate in the District of Columbia
uniform rate of tax should be levied
based upon actual value Of each parcel of
real estate and without regard to its USE
Mr.. NJ. l. Weller, speaking on the resolu-
ton Of Mr.. Nottingham, said that twelve
years ago the matter of inequality of as
se&sments and tax rates came before the
association. He said that in the county
large tracts of land are held by SPECTATORS
who should be made to pay a rate of taxa
tion greater than they have been paying
Property In the county, he said, is taxed
as agricultural land at the rate of 81 on the
500 Such portion of this land as is not
used for agricultural purposes, he said
should be assessed equally with that inside
the city limits. He mentioned a residence
on Connecticut avenue, just beyond the city
limits, which property, he said. Is taxed as
farm land, while only a few yards away a
tax of $50 is paid. This, he argued, is a
distinction which should not be tolerated
With an equalization of taxes. he said, the
District will have sufficient finances with
out having to issue bonds.
Mr.. CrOfssant Dissents.
Mr. Croissant said he could not see his
way clear to vote for the resolution. for he
thought a man owning agricultural land
and conducting dairy farm should not be
made to pay as high a tax rate as the own
ers of city property.
Mr.. Weller cited a number of instances to
show the inequality of assessments, but
this matter, he thought, will be remedied
by the present board of assessors. He ar
gued that the acreage taxation should be
abolished and a uniform rate established,
as 1t was prior to 1878.
Mr. Croissant said he thought action OH
the resolution should not be taken until the
matter can be more carefully considered.
The question has not been before the COM
mittee on assessments, he said, and should
the resolution pass and the taxes be col
lected in accordance with it's provisions the
amount of revenue would be increased four
fold. Mr.. Croissant objected to increasing
the taxes. Borrow money, he argued, as Is
done by other cities, and let future genera
tions share the burden. This proposition
he said is business one, and it is also a
sensible one.
Mr. Clark said the matter before the as
sociation merely provides for an equaliza-
ton of the taxes. If such equalization will
increase the revenue, then let the increase
come.
Mr.. Dodge said he was surprised at the
remarks OF MT CrOlSSant. Ihere Is no
other city in the world where a distinction
is made such is made in this city. That
the revenues will be quadrupled. Mr.. Dodge
said, is out of the question. He could not
understand why any person would object to
an equalization of taxes,
After Mr.. Dodge had presented statistics
in support of his claim, Mr.. Croissant said
that figures can be made to say almost
anything An increase in the rate OF tax
alton, he argued, will mean surplus III
the treasury, and then the United States
government will draw on that surplus At
present, he stated, not more than 25 per
cent of actual property values is taxed
Resolution Amended and Adopted.
BY consent of the mover Of the resolu-
tion the resolution was changed to read,
that upon all the taxable real estate in
the District Of Columbia uniform rate of
tax should be levied
Mr.. Shields said he thought the question
Of personal tax should also be considered
He thought the tax on real estate should
be made lighter ana that on personal prop
erty Increased.
The resolution was adopted and appro-
pirate action will be taken by the execu-
[ tive committee.
Mr. DODGE presented a resolutfon vb{ N