The Washington times., 1911-03-29
DISTRICT DIMES
ITS GOOD. ANGEL
Senator Gainger, Lauded by Gathering of Great Men,
Gives Summary of Washingtons Recent History
Showing Remarkable Development

Although Dr. Thirkleld was the last
speaker on the program before Sena-
tor Gallinger, there were loud demands
for former Speaker Cannon and Sena-
tor Elihu Root, of New York. Both
responded briefly.
Plea for Cooperation.
With an appeal to forget any un-
pleasant experiences OF the past and
work shoulder to shoulder to streng-
then the bonds OF friendship and good
will with the legislative and execu-
tive branches of the General Govern
ment for the purpose of making
Washington the most beautiful city
in all the world" Senator Gallinger
prefaced his words Of appreciation
of the tributes paid to him by the
speakers of the evening and by citi-
zens of the District in rendering him
the birthday dinner.
Senator Gallinger reviewed what
had been accomplished in the develop
ment of the city during the last
score of years, during which time he
has been a member of the Senate
Committee on the District of Colum-
bia. 1t was a wonderful retrospect
which the venerable Senator unfolded
and his prophecy for the future was
based upon the accomplishments of
the past He said that he hoped to
live to see the practical fulflllment OF
the complete scheme of the Park
Commission and predicted that Sena-
tors and Representatives would sweep
away all opposition to liberal ap-
propriations for the Federal City. He
pledged himself to fresh energy, zeal
and fidelity TO the interests of the
District as well as to those of his
state and country.
Senator Gallinger's review OF the ac-
complishments of the last two decades
is today the subject of interested con-
versation among business men gener-
ally. 1t is believed to be the most COM
prehensive and concise history Of that
period which has yet been written. He
attributed the data upon which his re-
view was based to the Engineer Com
missioner of the District. He said, il
part:
Districts Development
I'm 1890 the valuation of real property
In the District of Columbia, as assessed
for taxation. was s1S7, ,626, 1911: in 1910 1t
was s2s5, l5271 an increase OF 100 per
cent For the year 1912 the valuation
is estimated at $331. 900. 900, almost twice
and a half of that OF 1890.
The taxes collected on real estate In
1890 amounted TO g, 80, ,9l2 10: while IN
1910 they amounted to N,294, 75l .4S, and
the estimated collections for the fiscal
year Nl2 are 5000 900, considerably
more than twice that OF 1890. 49,,
Personal taxes were collected in R9 M
to the amount Of Sl62.soS !6 and IN l. :
thirteen years from 1920 to 1907. inclu-
sive the total collections were WV
37.35. On July !. 1902, a new personal
tax law was approved; under " Hn1cs nc 3, the ne
1902 TO S47l .e542 26 in 1903. In 1910 the COL
lections amounted to $1,000. 81.
I'm 1890 the revenues OF the Distrlct
of Columbia from all sources We were =,
and The amount for 1912 Is estimated At
81 oa5,770 almost three times that of
1890
"It is interesting TO know that the
amount expended for private buildings
in the District of Columbia In the year
1saO was sS,e72,os4, while in 1910 the
amount expended was $l3.3S4H4. The
total amount expended in private oper-
ations between 1890 and 1910 was $IeD,,
2O6, ,303, included in this was the e., new eo"
Union Station at a cost OF $o'WO'W9
Among the notable larger private build
ings constructed during TINS perloo WeIt
the Riggs National Bank, costing about
Trust Company, costing $236.742; the Ma
tional Metropolitan Bank, costing S2So''
600; the Union Trust Company bulldlng
costing $5O0,0O0; the District Natloha
Bank building, costing $4,000, and vari
Gus smaller bank buildings averaging
from $4,000 to $4,000. There were also
constructed the Hibbs building, costing
s2oS, 5000: the Munsey building. costing
500, 900; the Evans building, costing
s266,OOO; the Evening Star building, cost
ing 1876, 900; the Bond building, costing
500, 900; the Ouray building, costing
i sos. 900: the Southern Railway building
costing ;15O.0oO; the Colorado building
costing S55O,00O: the Mills building. cost
inb S295, 90; the Willard building, costing
SlSO,O0O, and the Southern Commercial
building, cost 81, 900, 900. Other large pri.
vate buildings are now under construc'
| ton"
An unusual musical program was
given during the dinner. The Men.
delssohn Quartet under the direc
tion Of Sidney Lloyd Wrightson
sang four selections. one of which
the sextet from Lucia de Lammer
moor" was received so favorably tha
it had to be repeated. The orchestra
under the direction of Herman c
Rakeman played eight popular opera
| selections.