Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-24
TAX ON DISTRICT REALTY
SENATOR SCOTT DISCUSSES RE-
GENTLY INTRODUCED BILL.
Says He Intends to Push the Meas
ure and Explains It in
Detail.

Somc interesting SlOellSutS were
thrown yesterday by Senator Scott on
the bill he recently introduced in the
Senate providing for the taxa ion Of real
estate in the District at its real value.
He intends to push consideration Of the
measure.
Il didn't introduce that bill for fun"
he said yes .erday In conversation with q
star reporter. 'It will accomplish some
thing that is much needed nerc-some-
Thing that has been put into effect in my
state with great success
Short and to the Point.
Senator Scot s bin is certain to in
terest every property owner In the Dis
lrict 1t Is very snort and very much to
.ho point:
BE IL enacted by the Senate and House
of Representa- ives of the United States
OF America In congress aeseinui-u, liza.
IN the next triennlal assessment OF zeal
cstate in the district Of Columbia. and
thereafter. all real estate IN said Dls-
Lrist suDJec. to taxation, including i'm
proVements thereon, shalt be assessed at
not less than the true and actual vaAue
thereof, and shall be taxed n per cent
upon the said assessed value thereof
1t was introduced on the 1a,h OF this
month, was relerred the same day to the
committee on the District of Columbia,
where II Will PROBABLY receive early con-
sideration. Mr.. Scott, besides being chair
man of the committee on pubic buiio-
ings and GROUNDS, is member of the
district committee.
He was very willing yesterday to answer
the CRITICISMS OF his oil. The only OBJ
lection that he has heard anything about
IS that II properly In tue District should
be assessed at Its actual value, without
lowering the tax rate. upon the taxpayers
OF the district would virtually be ImpoS d
the Whole burden of proviulng sits TO.
new government buildings, for it Is under
stood that Mr.. scott has in mini the Sc
curing OF property by the government at
a more reasonable rate If his bail becomes
a law. 1t is urg~d tat the Change he pro-
poses would result IN an INCREASE OF the
tax revenues Of fully As.OO.OOU annually.
which is great zeal more Than the gov
eminent eXpenQS annually for lands for
new buildings.
Intended to Lower Rate.
Right" said Mr.. Scott, but 1 intend
that my bill s..an lower the tax rate
When / decided to Introduce the measure
l asked the corporation counsel of the
District to draw up bill for me. The
one I introduced is his. He left the tax
rate at 1A per cent. and did not change
it. It Is my intention, howev~r, that tnc
bill snail be amenueu at the proper time,
So as to keep the tax revenues of the Dis
trict at the same figure they are now
"Of course, 1t will require some calcula-
tons to arrive at the proper rate, ami thai
will be done later while the bill Is IT COM
mlttee.
tail what he expects to accomplish by MS
bill.
II have been receiving any number of
letters from citizens of the District who
complain OF the wav real estate Is taxed
here" he said. Here Is one man who
land. and 1t has been assessed at 81.
a foot, while on the other hand, d Gel tam
big concern. occupying a, business corner
for which 1t paid $50 a foot, has it's real
Germ ought to be paying taxes on an as
sessment OF $40 foot. II any sort OF IN
equality is maintained.
Unfair to Small Holders.
'sWhy, know of many Instances where
property valued at from $1,000 to 5000
Is assessed at practically its full value,
while other property valued at from $780,.
900 to 100000 is assessed at only one.
fourth OF its value"
Then there is the real estate just on
the outskirts Of the city that Is as
sessed as agricultural land when L Is
being held for purposes OF speculation
at an enormous figure. 1t Is no more
agricultural land than is a lot at the
corner of 14th and F streets. That land,
too, should be assessed at its true value
If my bill Is passed, IL properly
amended, 1t will work q hardship, If
you can call 1t that, only on the large
landowners. 1t will relieve the burden
on the small owner of real estate
Furthermore, 1t will afford the gov
eminent a true basis on which to pro-
coed when 1t desires to condemn land
for public buildings or parks"