The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-15
Alleged Lax Methods of
Department Employees
Cause Complaints
DEFENSE OVERWORKED
Taxpayers Told by Officials
They Should Know What
They Are Paying For.

Notwithstanding the contention OF the
oficials OF the Water Department that
the rates charged are fair and as equita-
bic as IL is possible to make them. no
less than ten cases were submitted TO
the Commissioners yesterday, where
amounts were enormously charged and
paid Several of these were duplicate
payments where not only duplicate bills
but duplicate receipts were made out
One man was charged rent for
premises in which he had no interest.
and three persons were charged for
keeping horses. merely because they had
stables where horses could be kept.
They reported that they had no horses
and the amount OF the tax was ordered
| refunded
One item. however. shows more than
ordinary carelessness on the part OF
some employe or employees OF the de-
partment. namely an application of s. T.
Scott, of 1f34 Twenty-f1fth Street north
west, for a refund on the ground that
he was charged for a four-story house,
when his house was only three stories
in height. The application was referred
to George F. Green. Water Registrar,
who made the following Endorsement:
Respectfully forwarded inviting at
tention to the inclosed receipt for water
rent on 1l34 Twenty-hfth Street north
west, for the year ending 1903, and
recommend refund OF s1-25. inves lga-
tion showing the said house to be but
three stories in height" There is no
other explanation.
Charged for Empty Stable
Mrs. F. H Ockershausen was assessed
for three horses because she owns
stable where there are three stalls.
the argument being conclusive that as
the stalls were there the eorses ought
to be there The tax was paid. but >
| complaint made at the time stating that
no horses had been in the stable fer
more than six months. As soon as
| the Collector OF Taxes was informed CT
this state of affairs he Immediately
recommended a refund of the amount.
but the old methods. which permit this
condition, are allowed 10 maintain
| In the matter Of duplicate payments
| there appears 10 be considerable lack or
method. For instance. the original bill
for water rent is sent to the premises
/ involved. A few days later person
presents himself at the Collectors once.
and asks TO pay the bill, stating, how
/ ever, that he has neglected TO bring II
with him. duplicate bill is made out.
receipted and given TO the person pay
| ing the amount on its face. A day or
week later another person appears and
wants TO pay the same bill Instead
OF having some system in operation
where the District clerk could immedi-
ately ascertain whether the bill had
already been paid. the original bill is
| accepted. receipted. and an equal amount
| of money taken from the second person.
for the same premises.
An Overworked Defense.
The threadbare excuse OF the Water
Department. and one which is incorpor-
ated on almost every one of the recon-
mendations for refunds is that the tax
payers should know what they are pay
ing for" The taxpayers believe. how
ever. that this excuse should work both
ways. and that the District of Columbia
should know what it is receiving money
for.
Captain Harding, assistant to>the En-
gineer Commissioner, and in direct
charge of the Water Department, said
yesterday afternoon that the reason for
the apparent inequalities in water rents
was, that according to law, the bills for
the coming year must be ready on the
first day OF that year. So. in order to
prepare the bills for the fiscal year 1908.
IL was necessary for the inspectors to
begin their work from two TO three
months before the end OF the previous
fiscal year.
The conditions found to exist in April
or May preceding the July when tho
! bills are due. may not exist when the
fiscal year begins. and consequently
mistakes are bound to occur.
When asked why IL was necessary 10
have bills ready on the first day OF the
year they were supposed 10 cover. Cap
tain Harding said the law prescribed
that method If the bills were not
ready on the first day of the year" said
the capt>.2, there would be so many
delinquents that the District would lose
money. Persons would use water one,
two or SIX months OF the year. and thea
suddenly leave the city. and the Gov
ernment could whistle"
| Notwithstanding this statement IL Is
a fact that all water rents are charged
against the premises. and not against
the owners Of premises II an occu-
pant should leave the city owing for
water rent the premises cannot leave.
and could be held until all water taxes.
or other taxes. were paid in full SO II
would seem that there is no valid reason
for the continuance OF a system which
will allow so many duplicate, errone-
Gus and unwarranted charges.