Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-15
CITIZENS PROTEST
ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AGAINST
INCREASED TAXATION.
Address by Mr.. Buckley Before Bright
wood Association - Demand
for improvements.

ed the attention of the members to the fact
that the association was established for the
purpose Of lettering the condition of affairs
in that section of the District, and impress
ed upon them the necessity of taking notice
Of and presenting resolutions in regard to
needed improvements.
Mr.. Barry Buckley, secretary of the Bust
ness Mems Association, was present as an
invited guest and addressed the association
at the conclusion of the regular order OF
business on resolution which had been
offered by Mr.. Shoemaker, during the busi-
ness session.
The resolution provided that the Business
Mems Association should be requested to
establish a committee of the organization,
composed of such of the presidents of the
different citizens associations may be
upon its roll of membership, the committee
TO be known as the citizens association COM
mlttee of the Business Mems Association
the object of which is to enable the Business
Mems Association to be brought in touch
with all sections of the District Of Column
bia.
Mr.. Bulkley's Remarks.
During the course OF his remarks Mr..
Buckley said that he was glad that the as
ISOLATION had expressed a desire to come in
closer touch with the Business Mems Asso-
citation. and said that he was of the opin-
Ion that the business men would meet the
Brightwood citizens half way, as they were
all working toward one end.
Vice President Wilton j. Lambert chair
man of the special committee on taxation
oHered resolution which was adopted
unanimously. The resolution reads In part :
congress having increased the rate of tax
alton from 81 to 81. 80 per hundred, and hav-
ing authorized the assessors to levy two
thirds of the market value as a basis of
taxation, 1t becomes the duty of the asses
sors to ascertain very carefully the true
market value of all the real estate to be
assessed by them. We beg to state that this
cannot be done by assessing an entire block
IN subdivision for that which may have
been obtained for one choice lot. or for
even one or two ordinary lots or by assess
ing an entire farm for that price which
may have been obtained for portion there
Of or an adjoining farm.
If a sale here and there is to constitut e
the value of all property for the purpose of
taxation, and assessments are to be made
at once with reference thereto, because this
it is claimed, gives evidence of market
value. are we not entitled to ask what
would all this vast quantity of real estat e
bring which is now being assessed, and
what would be It's market value if forced
to actual sale?
Supply and Demand.
''The market value of property Is fixed
by the existing demand, for without a de-
mand there can be no market value.
Eve have In our section, and there is
in every section, beyond the old city of
Washington and within the District of Co.
lumbia hundreds of acres entirely without
public improvements. Take as an illustra-
ton, that large body Of land containing
perhaps seven or eight hundred acres north
of Military road and west of Brightwood
avenue, which has been regularly assessed
since 1900, that is, more than one hundred
years. With the exception of keeping
Brightwood avenue in repair, the authori-
ties have not expended 500 directly
for the benefit and advantage Of this vast
tract of land. The government could not
have expended money upon 1t under exist
ing conditions, for there has not been es-
tabllshed IN all these years single street,
avenue of travel or highway, for the de-
velopment of this beautiful and extensive
tract, lying at its does due north of our
city.
The same may be said ofyast tracts of
land east of Brightwood avenue and also
west of Rock creek. Therefore, Congress
having increased the rate as stated, to
one dollar and fifty cents per hundred dol
lars, we respectfully submit that the valua-
ton for the purpose of taxation should not
be increased until some Of the much needed
and constantly requested public improve
ments, as set forth by means of resolutions
from this association. have been provided"
Other Resolutions Adopted.
Mr.. Louis P. Shoemaker offered a resolu-
ton which was adopted calling attention to
the public necessity Of opening up 18Th and
18th streets and extending them to the Dis
trct line. resolution introduced by Mr..
hen iamin ate:iiIla7i Provides that the associa-
ton shall publish booklet setting forth the
advantages of that section of the District
The resolution was adopted, and President
Shoemaker was designated to edit the book
let. 1t was directed that the secretary no.
tify the Commissioners of the condition OF
Brightwood avenue, which Is in need Of re-
pair in many places, because of a resolu-
ton adopted on that subject last night The
resolution, which was submitted by C. C.
Lancaster. calls attention to the fact that
1t Is only possible for teams to use one side
of the road in many places.
W. D. Ray suggested by means of a reso-
luton that the Washington Gas Light CON-
pany be asked to extend the gas main north
on BriShtwood avenue to the District line
Mr.. c. G. Lancaster addressed the associa-
ton on the subject of having the citizens
associations of the District unite and tender
a reception to Commissioner Henry L. West
The suggestion, which was later put in the
form of resolution, was adopted and the
other associations will be communicated
with in regard TO the matter.
G. - d.