Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-07

ers the assessors office prepared a de-
tailed statement upon the subject of the
tax 1tion OF public utility corporations In
the District of Columbia, in order to de-
termine whether these corporations are
fully assessed under the law. The follow
ing summary of the statement shows the
taxes assessed against such corporations
in the District of Columbia for the year
ended June 80, 1909:
S,..m railroads S140 41a II
Street railroads ...-.......-..' I'o 80 :. .
Gas companies. .....-.-.........-.. lft,oo. 90
Electric lighting company. ......... o. i4o -
telephone companies commence &c oo
Telegraph companies. .-.........-.- i.UoW
steamboat companies. .......-.... h@z'oo
Total $500 1913 -
In other words, the public utilities in
the District of Columbia paid about il
per cent of the total amount of taxes on
realty and personally collected IN the
year 1909.
In this connection the commissioners
desire again to renew the recommends
ton previously made to Congress that
the tax upon street railway corporations
he increased from to per cent upon
their gross receipts. with specific pro-
vision that the tracks of all the railways
shall he excluded from assessment. A
thorough examination shows that ma
iority of the original charters in the Dis
trict of Columbia contain a specific pro-
vision to this effect, and 1t has never
been the custom of the assessors office
To regard the tracks of street railways as
real estate for the purpose of taxation,
this position being based upon the
theory that the tax upon the gross re
reipts of each corporation is franchise
tax for the occupation of the public
streets.
The personaI-tax law. approved July i.
1902. which provides for the taxation OF
public utility corporations and financial
institutions, provides for tax of 4 per
cent upon the gross receipts of the street
railway corporations, per cent per an
mum on the gross earning of gas COM
panies. per cent per annum on the gross
earnings of electric companies. per cent
telephone companies, liz per cent per an
mum on the value of vessels, snips and
boats owned by steamboat companies, and
per cent per annum on the gross earn
ings of national banks and trust COM
panies. 1t is suggested to Congress that
a more equitable arrangement of these
taxes might be arranged. 1t has al
ready been shown that the tax upon the
gross receipts of the street railway in
corporations might we'll be increased from
to per cent, and it is quite possible
that a similar increase could be imposed
without detriment upon other public
utility corporations. On the other hand.
a reduction of the taxation on national
hanks and trust companies would seem
to be equitable.
The national banks hold no franchise
Tor the use or the streets, nor do they
possess the monopoly which is enjoyed
by the public utility corporations One
of the main features OF trus. companies
IS the loaning of money upon real estate
mortgages and upon the earnings from
this source, they are under existing law
taxed per cent. On profits from the
same class of business incorporated saw
irgs banks nay per cent. while build
ing associations engaging in similar lines
of profit pay per cent. These various
no ri of
business are inconsistent. The Commits
.sioners have already submitted to Con-
gress bill for the reduction of taxes on
national banks from to per cent on
their gross earnings. and the tax on trust
companies from to A per cent on their
gross earnings, and the enactment of
this measure will again be urged
Regulation of Loan Companies.
The Commissioners will again suggest
TO Congress the advisa bility OF the enact
nrent of a law regulating so-called loan
companies There is no doubt but that
these institutions, when managed for
the mutual interest of the borrower and
of tile lender. are effective for good, cor
porations having been Established in New
York and Boston. which have been OF
great assistance to the needy and which
have also proven remunerative to those
who invested capital in the undert king.
The proposed statute. which the Com
mssioDers have already submitted to
Congress. simply proposes to abolish the
abuses which exist in connection with the
present companies, and by placing the
latter under the operation of law to
compel their conduct in an equitable
and just manner to all concerned.
Public Schools.
The largest amount in the estimates
for appropriations is. as usual, that for
public schools For 1911 the total amount
recommended by the Commissioners is
5000 1900, of which S545.OOO is for
buildings and grounds.
The Commissioners believe that appro-
priations should be earlier available than
has been the case, so as to obviate de-
lays in securing suitable sites and suit
able plans within the limitations of the
appropria tons.
Continued improvement has been made
in the fire protection OF the public school
buildings. and further work of this kind
will he done IL the appropriations recon-
mended are made.
During the fiscal year ending June 30
last six school buildings were completed
and progress has been made upon several
others authorized by Congress
The total enrolment of pupils last wear
was:
bay schools. Observation-Disclosures. 81, 500
Night schools. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. :,.792
Total ..................... 1854
Number of teachers:
lay 1.62S
Night schools. Observation-Disclosures. 10l
Increased Police Force.