Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-12
FOR SCHOOL BOARD
Northeast Association Op-
posed to Its Abolition.
.FAVORS INCREASED POWER
Alleged Objectionable Business
Methods in Assessors Office.
ANNUAL SALES FOR TAXES
Believed List of Delinquents Might
Be Largely Reduced-Sugges-
ton Of Remedy.
SALES FOR TAXES

Several matters Of general interest to
residents of the District Of Columbia were
discussed at meeting of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association last
night at Northeast Temple. ". s. Bran
son made spirited attack upon the man
ner in which affairs Of the assessors
office are conducted; President Tucker
spoke of questions pertaining to the gas
investigation, and DIR. j.. D. Walter pre-
cipitated discussion upon the propo-
sition to abolish the board Of education
and adopt single-head plan.
There's only one place in the District
where we shall have a single head" said
DIR. Walter. land that is in the Commits
sioners' office, where there's no head at
all. The present board of education has
done good work, and l hope the associa-
ton will go on record as being unaiter-
ably opposed to a change
II would like to ask If this proposed
change emanates from DR. Chancellor.
the former superintendent suggested
President Tucker.
DR.. Chancellor" said Mr., Lang, was
fair sample Of the single-head propo-
sition."
Various Objections Voiced.
F. D. Foster. chairman of the commit
tee on schools: w. J. Frizzell and DR..
Starr Parsons registered vigorous OBJ
jections to any change being made in the
school system, saying the present system
is the best one the people OF the District
have ever had.
Dr. Walter said he would like to know
what influence was brought to bear upon
the Commissioners to get them to 1ndorse
the bill providing for change.
Mr.. Foster said he thought the powers
of the present board should be in
creased He said there was some fric-
ton between the late board Of Commits
sioners and the school board. and that
friction may have Influenced the pres
ent board in it's approval OF the pend
ing bill.
President Tucker suggested that Mr.:
Foster might get additional facts and
prepare a revised report upon the ques-
ton and submit it to the association
later.
DIR. Walters motion in opposition to
the proposed change prevailed. and the
association voted to sanction the re-
vised report Of Chairman Foster, which
will be submitted later.
Alleged Objectionable Methods.
Mr. Branson said he had been told
things which caused him to think there
is an Objectionable state of affairs exist
ing in the assessors office. People hang
about there. he said. who might be Xix
ened to human vultures. They sit upon
the high places and watch chances to
pounce upon the taxpayers.
I'm told that one man in particular
makes 100000 annually out of the dis
tresses. ignorance or lack OF information
of taxpayers.
He spoke Of the great number of pieces
of property advertised for sale each year
and said he thought the proper conduct
of affairs In the assessors office would
mean great decrease in the number OF
sales.
Mr. Branson said he thought the pro-
visions OF a resolution he had prepared
would suggest q remedy. The resolution
was offered. as follows:
Whereas 1t is believed that the District
of Columbia annual sale for taxes and
assessments in arrears lists could be
money and vexation to taxpayers could
be saved If the assessor should be d.
rected by the Commissioners to notify
applicants for current tax bills that there
are arrears of taxes and assessments also
due Of such is the case) which should be
first paid; and as the present system OF
dividing bills for taxes, the current bills
in one room and the arrears in another,
is confusing to the general run Of tax
payers and contrary to the methods In
resolved, That the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia are requested to
direct the assessor that when demand is
made for a current bill to add to such
bill slip stating in concise terms what,
if, any arrears of taxes or assessments
are due and adding also, if it is a fact,
that it has been sold for taxes or arrear-
ages of assessments, as the case may be,
and that the assessor be also directed to
notify owners of delinquent taxes of ar
rearages of assessments by mail at least
sixty days before sale, II such owners
addresses can be found in the ordinary
way, and IL the addresses of the owners
cannot be easily found that such notice
be sent to the tenants of all improved
property, with request to transmit same
to owner or agent"
Regarded as Remedy.
BY adopting the method suggested in
the resolution, Mr.. Branson said, the Com
missioners could remedy the evil and
save property owners thousands of dol
lars annually. 1t is simply matter Of
running the assessors office on sound
business principles. he said. He also said