Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-04
SYSTEM CRITICISED
CITIZENS PROTEST AGAINST
METHOD OF TAXATION. --.
Assessments for Improvements De-
clared to Be Inequitable-Re-
lief Demanded.

number of well-known citizens attended
the public meeting held last night in the
red parlor of the Ebbitt House for the pur-
pose of drafting resolutions to be presented
to the District Commissioners urging that
they recommend to Congress a plan for
equitable taxation of property in the Dis
trlct. The movement is to secure relief from
the system of taxation now in vogue in re-
lation to assessments for improvements,
wherein only a small portion of the prop
city is obliged to bear the burden of the
cost of street extension, and also to prevent
the passage of House bill No. 1900, ito
regulate the taxes and tax sales in the Dis
trict,' and the amendments proposed by the
Senate.
Mr.. Thomas G.. Hensey called the meet
ing to order and stated it's object Mr..
William II. Saunders was elected chairman
and Mr.. George Simmons secretary. Dur
ing the discussion of the matter before the
meeting Mr.. Leo Simmons said he did not
own any property affected by the system of
taxation, but that he represented a large
number of people who were suffering from
the assessments. He said he did not think
assessments should be levied upon any
mans property because of the extension Of
street in the subdivision. He declared
that where a street was cut through a
mans farm it was undoubtedly a benefit to
street through existing subdivision was
rot a benefit to the man whose property
was adjacent. but it was more of a benefit
to the merchants anG other business men of
the District, because it afforded a road by
which they could reach the outlying dis
trict with their delivery wagons. He cited
instances where property, he said. had been
virtually confiscated because of the excess
Sive taxes, and he urged that the proposed
tax laws with the amendments by the Sen
ate should not be allowed to pass.
Suggestion to Commissioners.
Mr. Simmons suggested that the Commits
sioners be urged to recommend to Con-
gress a reduction in assessments for various
streets and to bring the rates of assess
ment'to a rate similar TO that of the 10Th
street extension. He said no one would
object to paying that rate. He declared
the provisions of pending bills to be unjust
Mr.. Hensey declared that the mere open
ing up of street in an outlying subdivis-
ION did not enhance the value of property
adjoining to any great extent if. indeed, it
increased the value at all. In speaking of
the assessme nts made along the extended
streets and avenues, he declared that the
1urles had been circumscribed in their duties
and were obliged to tax the specific piece
of property designated in the act The men
who designed that bill he said, "pur-
posely designated the land to be assessed
and left their own property out of the line
of the excessive taxation
Other speakers who inveighed against the
proposed bill We're Messrs. L. NJ Saunders
John Ridout and A. E. Briscoe.
Committee Appointed.
On motion of Mr.. Leo Simmons commit
tee of five was appointed to draft resolu-
lions to be discussed at the next meeting
and then presented to the Commissioners
urging that relief from oppressive tax laws
be recommended to the next session of Con-
gress. The chair selected the following to
serve on the committee: Messrs John Rid
out. L. NJ. Saunders. Thomas G. Hensey,
Leo Simmons and A. Z. Briscoe.
committee of three was also appointed
to endeavor to prevent the passage of
House bill No. HOO, now before Congress-
This committee consists of Messrs Leo
Simmons, 7. g. Hensey and DIR. l.. D. Wal
ter. The meeting adjourned to meet next
Tuesday evening, June 10, at clock in
the red parlor of the Ebbitt House.