Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-10
REPLY TO MR.. DENNIS
PERSONAL TAX BOARD ANSWERS
SOME CRITICISMS IN A REPORT.
The Work Of Getting the New Law
Started-Troulae From Many
objestors.

Mr. e. w. w. Griffin, acting assessor. has
forwarded to the Commissioners very in
teresting reply from the personal tax ap-
praisers, Messrs. Alex ander Mckenzie and
Francis Nye, to the criticisms recently made
by w. H. Dennis OF 416 9Th street north
west Mr.. Dennis has been in rather bitter
controversy with the personal tax depart
ment Of the District government, the ques-
ton at issue being as to whether or not he
owned any taxable personal property at
premises 515 18th street during the return
period ended August II, 1902. The apprais-
ers say that to the best of their knowledge
Mr.. Dennis did own the property, and he
has been accordingly assessed. Mr.. Dennis
declares he did not own the property. The
appraisers reply that he should make an al
fioavit to that effect. as they must have
something more tangible to act upon than
mere words" Mr.. Dennis resents the idea
that his veracity is questioned In their last
report upon the matter, filed today, Messrs.
Mckenzie and Nye say:
Under date of August 3, 1903, we made a
report of the facts in the case of William
Henry Dennis. esq, from the personal tax
appraisers point of view.
The important matter in this case, after
all. is, did the writer own any tangible per-
sonal property at No SIG 18th street north
west last year at the return period. viz:
August II. 1902. and If SO, did he include 1t
In his return of $40, as the entire valuation
Oh MS tdxaDle personal property.
These facts are essential to the settle
ment of this question between us, while the
pleasing desire to criticise public officers is
not. The writer does not say specifically,
in his letter of July 2Sth, nor In that Of Au-
gust Z, 1903, that he did not own any tangi-
BILE personal property at the above location
last year. If he will make affidavit to the
facts outlined above. the appraisers would
have something more substantial than
words to guide them to a just conclusion.
I'VE have certainly no desire to untustly
tax any citizen or cause him to pay any
taxes that he should not pay; but in view
of the information we obtained while max
ing the canvass Of the city, we cannot rec
ommend any relief to Mr.. Dennis unless we
have something more essential than mere
criticism.
1--WE, of course with yourself. deeply re-
greet any discourteous treatment to Mr..
Dennis, or to any other citizen. and hope
that the discourtesy consisted only In his
misunderstanding the intention of the one
of whom he complains.
THE board of personal tax appraisers, In
the execution of their sworn duty, made
over 1900 assessments. More than 40 per
cent of the persons assessed failed to file
any return of personal property whatso-
ever, while in many other cases the ap-
praisers found 1t necessary. for various
reasons. to reject the schedules -iled and
make an increased assessment.
THE appraisers made careful can
vass Of the District. and as full an investi-
cation Of each case, as was possible in the
limited llIne allowed ana tno opportunities
for investigation afforded them. In their
canvass they endeavOred to the utmost Of
their abilities to conduct themselves in a
gentlemanly manner and to treat every one
as courteously as possible.
1T was but natural to expect that the
execution Of a new personal tax law would
arouse bitterness of feeling in many quar-
tiers. The appraisers are pleased to be able
to say that a large majority of citizens
were most courteous, fair and frank with
them, and greatly encouraged them In
their work. Nevertheless hardly a day
passed that they would not meet with some
Individual who resented the passage Of the
law, and so resented their call in the exc
cution of their duties under 1t, as to revle
Them order them from their house or place
of business threate; h.m, denounce Con-
gress and the DistriU l. government, and in
other ways vent their bitterness of feeling
In such a manner to make the efforts of
the appraisers most irksome.
"They have endeayored to the utmost of
their abilities to treat every citizen alike
as fairly. eQuitably and leniently as posi-
BILE, with due regard to the interests of the
District and their sworn duties under the
law. That in the 1900 assessments some
few may have been appraised somewhat
higher than, with more definite and accu-
rate information. they would otherwise
have been Is no more than might naturally
be expected. The appraisers, however, well
come and give most careful consideration
to every source of information that may en-
able them to correct an appraisement il
such information is received within the
time specified by law, and certainly no one
appeared before the board of personal tax
appeals who was not allowed the fullest
opportunity to furnish information that
would enable them to adjust an erroneous