The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
Assessor W.P. Richards Sub
mitS Triennial Report to
the Commissioners.
ENLARGEMENT DUE
TO GROWING SUBURBS
Total Estimated Amount of Real
Estate in Washington Is Worth
S285, 1871.

Property values in the District have
increased approximately S39.OJO,000 in
value in the last three years according
70 the annual report OF W. p. Richards,
Assessor Of the District, submitted TO
the Commissioners today.
The triennial assessment of 1924.
which is nearing completion" says the
report, will be returned by January 1,
and il is estimated Will show an in
crease over the triennial assessment Of
1909-u Of about S3O.O0O,OOO. to which is
added the annual Improvements Of 1910,
1911, and 1912.
This large increase is due to en-
HANGING values in the rapidly growing
suburbs and in the business sections
Of the city
Owners Can Appeal
Property owners can appeal from the
return of the board Of assistant asses
sors from the first Monday in January
10 the first Monday in June, 1911 To
insure full consideration, appeals should
be filed before the middle of April 1911.
In this connection, the Assessor recon-
mends an amendment TO the law pro-
viding that all appeals be made be-
fore the first Monday In April.
This would cause the taxpayers no
inconvenience, says the report, and
would allow the board about three
tematIcally consider all appeals, and,
where necessary, 10 reinSpect the prop
erty." With respect to inequalities in
assessments the report IS as follows:
There has not been any scheme OF
assessments yet devised that will en-
ttrely obViate inequalities; therefore, in
equalities Will exist 10 some extent in
this as well as all other assessments,
no matter by whom made. However,
the efforts OF the board or assessors 10
eqUaliZe land values especially should
eliminate many complaints which arise
from inequalities in the assessment
principally
Inequalities" Explained.
In every assessment where the law
requires the assessors 10 equalize the
assessments, many seeming inequalities
exist, but upon investigation manv Of
these inequalities disappear or are not
we'll founded. These arise in the ad-
5ustment OF differences in known values:
others arise In the rapid change of
values IN some sections, the assessments
being made for a term of three wears.
and may be just, at the time the assess
menI is made. but by the end Of The
term, by reason Of change in value. 81
would seem 10 be unequal and unfair.
In subdivisions Just put upon the
foot per lot. while the owners would he
willing to sell the entire remaining sub
division at much lower rate per foot.
in such cases there would seem 10 be an
undervaluatiOn when compared with
the selling value of single lots.
The matter Of assessing buildings or
improvements presents a more difficult
problem. principally for want OF infor-
nation Of the character of construction.
Many houses appear 20 be alike from
ar exterior view and are often assessed
on the same basis. but occasionally we
md that there is q considerable differ
enCe in interior finish, heating and gen
eral conditions, but no change in the
assessment can be made until the next
general assessment.
Inspectors Needed.
In view Of the existing conditions. ]
urgently recommend that at least two
competent persons be authorized to act
as inspectors or surveyors Of all assess
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