The Washington times., 1903-08-19

Inc total amount OF collections on ac-
count of water rents for the fiscal year
ended June 80. 1902. was 1886. 5.472,
against an expenditure OF S360. .374. .72.
The balance TO the credit of the water
fund. now on deposit in the United
States Treasury. was. during that year,
s419. .233.s2. This balance in 1888 was
only $500. 1881. showing an increase OF
more than 500. .000 in five years.
The exact excess for the fiscal year
1902 was ss5. .097.2s, or nearly 10 per cent
OF the amount collected. II the letter
and spirit of the law were complied with
the existing rates would be reduced 10
per cent. making the total collections
correspond. as nearly as possible. to the
amount OF the expenditures.
Many Complaints Received
The Commissioners have received
many letters during the past few
months from property owners in both
Washington and Georgetown. protest
ing against the amount OF the water tax,
and also the method of ascertaining it.
One of two remedies have been sug-
gested; either the rates should be low
cred, or the present annual surplus OF
over S35 900 should be expended in in
creasing the facilities OF the Water De-
partment-
The Times last week published series
of complaints from taxpayers who had
been charged for horses. when they pos
sessed nothing but empty stables; for
stores when there were no stores, and
had been allowed TO pay in duplicate
their rent for the present fiscal year.
All these mistakes were roctifed by the
Collector OF Taxes wher brought TO his
attention. and the excise offered that the
Offices were doing ne best they could
under the appror .fation.
Ca in Estimates.
Capt Chr Ter Harding. Assistant to
the Engiy yer Commissioners. and in i'm
mediate charge OF the Water Depart
ment. when asked for an explanation OF
the methods in vogue, fortified himself
and his administration behind the state
nent that the rates were as equitable as
human ingenuity could make them. and
that the reports were as accurate and
charges as fair as the inadequate force
could prepare
The fact was then cited 10 Captain
Harding that these rents were aDpo--
toned on data collected months before
the beginning of the fiscal year for
which they were in payment For in
stance: An appraiser finds certain
premises being used for store purposes
in April preceding the July when the
rent will be payable. in advance Be-
tween the time of the appraisers Sisit
and the time the rent is due. the store
is vacated and demolished. The person
owning the premises which were de-
molished must pay water rent for the
store. and await the workings OF a red
tape system for his refund.
Appraisers Available.
Captain Harding declared the method
could not be changed without employing
done because there had been no rrovi-
sion made by Congress. Il was suggested
that the annual excess OF 49,. .097-2S was
intended particularly 10 defray the ex-
pense of maintenance. management and
repair" of the Water Department. and
a better and more equitable method fer
collecting the data for determining the
rents was surely to be construed as "a
par OF the management of the Water
Department.
The sum of sS5.O97.2S would pay the
salaries of a great many appraisers
similar TO those now employed in coll
water rents. and property owners then