The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-18
w. P. Richards Says Work
Will Be Expedited by
System.
APPEARANCES BAD.
DECLARES REPORT
Change Will More Nearly Equalize
Matters, According TO the
Recommendation.


assessment of real estate be made in
the District of Columbia is the recon-
mendation submitted by Assessor w. p.
Richards, in his annual report TO the
Commissioners today.
The following are some Of the objec-
tons to the present method of tri-
ennial assessment, which is made by
three persons constituting permanent
board OF assessors:
First, that with the force allowed by
law it is impossible to cover the ground
within the time designated and give a
thorough and exhaustive study to the
various real estate values. and the
duties Of the assistant assessors make
it impossible for them to be strictly
up to date in regard to sales and prices
Of real estate.
Appearances Not Good.
Second, that the same men who make
the initial or tentative assessment are
allowed 10 serve on the board of re
view and at times constitute a majority
of that board so that there is not the
appearance of an unbiased hearing to
the appealing property holder.
Third, that the number constituting
the board Of review is larger than is
necessary, as cities several times the
size of Washington find it more BUSH
ness like to have a board OF review
of about one-half the number of the
board of this city.
Fourth. that the assessments fixed
for the first year Of any period Of
years are apt to become stale or un-
equal by the time that the total assess
ment is finished.
Fifth, that the time of hearings on
the trienniaI assessments is a difficult
thing for the public TO keep track Of"
Remedies Are Mentioned.
The following is the remedy suggest
Ell by Assessor Richards:
First. 10 have the city divided into
three or more sections with two assist
ant assessors for each section who
would make both personal and real es-
tate assessments.
Second. TO have board Of review,
consisting Of the Assessor and Two dep
uty assessors. the first deputy to have
supervision of real estate assessments
and the second deputy TO have charge
/ Of personal assessments.
Third. the board of review to have
no part in the initial assessment except
10 furnish the assistant assessors with
all data relative to sales, transfers.
| building operations and subdivisions,
and TO supervise the work.
Fourth. that the assessment shall be
made each year for the entire District
and that personal notice shall be given
Of every change in the assessment but
that no requirement shall be made di-
rectinE the assistant assessors to view
every piece Of property within that part
Of the District over which they have
charge.
Fifth, that there should be complete
ana accurate data rs 10 prices paid
1 for all real estate, and that these rec
/ crts should be under the direction or
care Of the Assessor and the two deputy
| assessors.
VIII Be More Nearly Equal
It is believed that the remedy sug-
| gested will tend 10 a nearer equalization
/ of real estate assessments: that by year
! by assessments everybody viii become
! better informed as 10 the exact date If
an appeal. and that the appeal period
can be greatly shortened TO the adyan-
I taEe Of both the office and the prop
erty holder; that small Irregularities.
when called TO the notice of this office,
can be- corrected on the next yearly as
sessment without waiting for a period
/ OF several years, as now necessary; that
/ tie taxpayer viii feel that lie is being
more fairly dealt with in having a board
/ of review whose ideas are in no way
/ included IN the original or tentative as
! sessmeuts. that IL viii tend TO add to
/ the revenue Of the District by adding
the natural advance of values TO each
years assessment IN place Of at the end
! OF the years period. that 10 viii tend
/ tO uniformity in bookkeeping and in Of
flee work.
The total assessed valuation of real
I rsIr i.
the fiscal year ending June 90. 1910 VAS
I Sy76 $50 IA and the real estate tax TOR
the year was Sf,I}8,SfI.Gl Personal
taxes for the year amounted 20 $9l9,-
SOB The number of new Buildings
erected was 2,l65.