Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-12
DRAFT OF NEW BILLS
Amending the Laws Relating
to Assessments.
ASSESSOR GRIFFIN'S VIEWS
Recommends That Builders and Con.
tractors Shall Be Licensed.
TAX ON LOCAL CORPORATIONS
Change in Date for Hearings Before
Board Of Revision and
Equalization.
TAX ON LOCAL CORPORATIONS

f. w. w. grimm, assessor OF the Dis
trict, has submitted to the Commissioners
a tentative draft Of such legislation and
| amendments to existing l-ws governing
assessments and taxation as appear to be
necessary for the more efficient admins
tration OF his Office and the best interests
of the citizens Of the District. What is
considered the most important of the pro-
posed legislation is "a bill regulating GER
tain licenses in the District and for other
purposes"
The proposed measure provides that
every person, firm or corporation who
submits bids for or who engages in con-
struction work, repairing, heating. venti-
lating, electric wiring, grading. excavat-
ing or work Of a like character. whether
public or private. be required to pay an
annual license tax Of $25. Every builder
| ana contractor will thereby be compelled
to show license from the assessor before
being granted a permit by the building
inspector for projected work. The section
Is not to apply to subcontractors Or en-
ployes on any construction work.
Tax on Corporations.
In another bill drawn up by the assessor
an anne ndment is made to can act making
appropriations to provide for the expenses
OF the government of the District of CO.
lumbia, June 30. 1903" The rate OF tax
on the gross earnings of certain local pub
| lie utility corporations and banks, trust
| companies and insurance companies is
changed. Each national bank and trust
company under the proposed amendment
| VIII De required to pay tax to the Dis
trict of per cent on their gross earnings.
At present these corporations are re-
CURED to pay per cent. The gas COM
panies are to be taxed the same as at
present on their gross earnings, per
cent. The electric light companies will be
| increased from 4 per cent taxation to S
| pep cent and telephone companies from 4
per cent to per cent The tax on the
gross earnings of the street railways will,
| under this amendment be increased from
I per cent to per cent. The tracks of the
latter will not be taxed as real estate.
Insurance companies will continue to pay
| the IA per cent on premium receipts In
| ADDITION to this tax on the various cor
| porations the real estate owned by them
| shall be taxed, as is all other real estate
! in the District
For Reassessments.
In another bill, relating to licenses, it is
provided that in all cases where assess
ments have been levied for the closing of
dangerous wells, the removal of weeds.
| the drainage of lots and the connecting
| or lots with water mains and sewers.
whether the owners of the property af-
fected be residents or non-residents. or
| cannot be found In this city, and where
such assessments have been declared void
| the cost of the work done by the District
| with interest. and the cost Of advertising
shall be reassessed within ninety DAYS
after the decree Of the court setting aside
| SUCH taxes or assessments. This reas-
sessment Is to be carried as tax on the
regular tax rolls and shall be collected az
| other taxes.
Another section Of the license bill
| authorizes the Commissioners. in the in
terest of public health, safety and com
| fort. to revoke for cause. after notice and
hearing. licenses issued to the following
occupations: Victualers. restaurants,
| oyster houses, cookShops, ice cream par
Tors, dairy lunch establishments, eating
| houses. concerts. entertainments, exhibi-
| lions. circuses. information bureaus.
| private detective agencies. clairvoyants,
fortune tellers and mediums. builders, con-
| tractors and plumbers.
Public Vehicles.
| 1t also fixes the license tax on public
vehicles operating on the Thoroughbred
as follows: For each vehicle with a seat
ing capacity not exceeding ten passengers,
Sc per annum: for each vehicle with a
seating capacity exceeding ten passengers,
but not exceeding thirty passengers, s12;
and for vehicles with a capacity for more
] than thirty persons. s2J.
Another bill proposed by the assessor is
one requiring all dealers in cigars, smok-
ing or chewing tobacco. cigarettes, or any
form of manufactured tobacco, to pay an
annual license tax of $12 Under the
existing law cigar dealers are taxed this
amount and the dealers in the other forms
of tobacco mentioned are permitted to
conduct business without a license. Mr.
Griffin looks upon this condition as IAN
| apparent inconsistency
The date and period for holding the
hearings before the board Of revision and
equalization OF real estate values in the
District is changed from January / to
June 1, inclusive" to April to June IL
inclusive Mr. Griffin does not think any
more work is accomplished by holding the
meetings for so long period and in view
OF this. he says. it will be more satisfac-
| tory for the good conduct of the Office to
| have this board sit for three months only
| instead of six months.
| The Commissioners have approved all
these proposed bills. and afte being
drafted in proper form and referred to the
corporation counsel for an opinion upon
their legal construction, they will be
forwarded to CongrYs.