The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-04
Mr.. WELLER COMBATS
REPEAL OF EXEMPTIONS
Strong Reasons Advanced
for Present Law.
CEMETERIES AND EMBASSIES
He Denies the Government EncrOaches
Upon the District in Acquir-
ing Property.

The East Washington Citizens Assoc
citation. at its regular monthly meet
ing held last evening at 314 Pennsyl-
vania Avenue southeast, gave every
evidence OF being in favor of the pres
ent tax exemption laws in force in the
District. The only reason the opinion
OF the association was not made mat
ter OF record was because there was no
formal resolution upon which to vote.
Several weeks ago the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association
adopted a resolution recommending that
all property In the District, except that
owned by the Government should be
required to pay taxes. The idea was
then expressed that religious. charitable
and other organizations We're taking ID
vantage of the tax exemption laws. and
the District Golfers were being de-
frauded out of considerable much
needed revenue.
A copy of this resolution was for
warded TO the East Washington Citi-
zens' Association, with a request that
the latter organization indOrse il. The
mater was brought up at the last
meeting, bnc because of the absence Of
NJ l. Welles, chairman OF the commit
Tee on taxation. discussion was deferred
until last evening. Mr.. Weller ex-
planned that he was not ready &c pre-
SN-it q ADIHidl report Out utSlEtu 70
bring several facts to the attention of
the members of the association. The
tax exemption resolution was analysed
from preamble TO conclusion, and its
detects and unreasonable features
pointed out.
A Popular Idea.
Mr.. Weller specially attacked a state
ment contained in the resolution to the
effect that the General Government is
constantly encroaching upon the Dis
trict in the matter Of acquiring prop
erty. This statement was declared tC
be incorrect. and the defense offered
that whatever the General Government
acquired was amply compensated for
MIR. Weller argued that to abolish tbs
tax exemption law would mean to com
pei foreign embassies 10 pay revenue Il
the United States for buildings Occu
pied for diplomatic purposes only.
proceeding which he declared t. be con
trary TO all custom. law, and pro
prfety. Other institutions which TIT
speaker said would have to pay taxei
are churches. orphan asylums. home!
for the sick and aged, and finally, GENE
teries. NO serious minded man wOul'
recommend that cemeteries be taxed,
said Mr.. Weller.
A resolution. Incorporating practically
all the contentious made by Mr. Weller
will be drafted and presented at tn
January meeting Of the association 70
action.
For East Washington.
The chairman of the committee o.
streets and alleys reported that lette
had been received from the Distric
Commissioners setting forth that the es
innate for street improvements has bee
completed. and that IL includes a Re
quest TO Congress for appropriation 70
improvements in East Washington a
follows:
Northeast-First Street, from Ne
York Avenue TO Florida Avenue: Sixt
Street. from D TO F Street: G Stree
from Fourth to Ninth Street. and SeN
enth Street. nom Maryland Avenue I
II Street.
Southeast-M Street. from South Cap
toll to Eleventh Street; Ninth Stree
from VI 10 y Street. and Elevent
Street. from G to ] Street.
The secretary also read reply frol
the East Washington Heights Citizen
Association 10 a request made by II
East Washington Association that ii
former change its name to avoid con
fusing the two bodies. The letter sal
the East Washington Heights organic:
ti0n could see no reason for the chang
Of name. as the two could very easi
be distinguished.