Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-28
Says Tax Sharks Gain.

nave peen INFORMED by very good au-
thority that this bill was drafted by two
Washington lawyers at the request and
expense of one Of the largest out-of-town
purchasers Of tax-sales certificates and
was given to the Commissioners to he in
troduced as measure for the benefit of
the municipality, when, in fact it was n
Dill for the special relief of the tax-cer-
tincate buyers. who made the purchases
under existing laws and who should stand
by the terms Of these laws
Because the property holders who
through misfortune had their property
soid 10 those tax purchasers, would not
submit to the outrageous bonus and
charges for release this prominent tax
purchaser. who annually buys one hun
dred thousand dollars worth Of tax Ger
tlhcates and who has already wrung out
OF the taxpayers of this city more than
one-half million dollars in charges, costs
ana interest. had this law presented to
me commissioners of the District, and the
commissioners are pushing it's passa ge
mere as measure I'm the interest of the
city. l am told 1t is. in fact. a bill for the
reneI or two tax sharks from Rochester,
n: T., ana other tax sharks Of this city
Il think the Commissioners should be
on the lookout for such bad bills and not
rather them, but think of the Door tax
payer once in awhile: but as is often
tax dodger.'
Mr. Cary wound up with the statement
that in his opinion 1.-THE whole District
government should be investigated, and
mat ina. as soon. as possible. It is time some
Then Mr.. Cary withdrew his poitn of
order. e'
Regards Sum as Insufficient.
Representative Goulden made the oh.
lection that the $4,000 proposed be an
prepr1ated for cleaning ice and snow
from the streets wasn't sufficient.
1t is more than is used on the aver
age suggested Mr.. Gardner
Il think" said Mr. Goulden. s.that the
Gross walks and sidewalks of the city of
Washington are In the worst conditior
immediately after a snow storm of any
city l have ever visited. and I believe /
have visited all the important cities of
the country. No effort is made to clean
Equipment has been purchased and
some Is on the way, to improve that very
feature. explained Mr.. Gardner.
is there any law" Mr.. Goulden asked.
49, WnereDy the commissioners shall clean
the sidewalks in front of unoccupied prom
erty and charge 1t to that property?''
Not now. but we hope there will be {"
Mr.. Gardner answered.
"A bill has just passed the Senate and
that subject" said Mr. Taylor of Ohio.
Il hope it will become a law" Mr.
Goulden declared, ..for now every ,,nnc.
cupted house and vacant lot is a menace
10 the people who have to walk along the |
streets"
Favors Ample Authority.
Representative Butler OF Pennsv,vapia
declared IL the could offer an amendment
that would be in order he would do SO.
giving the Commissioners sufficient funds
and nj
Il have walked over the streets for f1f
teen years" he declared. II have walked |
over the streets. roads and lanes of a
good many places prior to that time and |
nave never seen such a mean miserable.
condition of payements. streets
and sidewalks after snowstorns as found
In the city OF Washington. Foot pas-
sengerS are not treated we'll in the Dis
trict in the winter time. Somebody ought |
to have authority to do the cleaning, and |
the revenue should be provided for that |
purpose. In every little town in the |
country. where many of us live. and in |
the big cities, contributions of money are
made for that purpose, and authorities
directed to expend it. / have not seen a |
bit of street cleaning except in the in
stance of a horse and drag this winter |
a most ridiculous attempt at street clean |
ing"
Mr.. Butler demanded to know II $40 oo
would be sufficient to keep sidewalks and |
clean all over town all winter
They could not do it this winter for
100000" said Mr.. Gardner This is a |
big town when you take its area into con-
Health and Comfort Considered.
This question may not involve the |
Constitution of the United States" said |
Mr.. Butler. but it does involve the con-
stitution of man. l think it would be as |
we'll for us to talk about our own con- |
situations sometimes as it is to talk about |
the Constitution of the United States all |
the time. Is there not some plan to be |
devised which will enable the Commits
slolers of the District to keep the side |
walks and crossings clean in the winter |
timer
Offer an amendment increasing the |
appropriation from $4,000 to $.O0OoO" |
suggested Representative Ames of Massa- |
chusetts.
II maintain in my own home city" de- |
clared Mr.. Mann of Illinois, IA snow pillow
which cleans Off
DO you run 1t yOurself?" asked Rep
resentative Hirshaw of Nebraska.
No, replied Mr.. Mann, II get another |
mule to run it-another donkey besides |
myself
Il suppose I should apologize for taking |
time In talking about pavement cleaning"
said Mr. Butler. 1.-The streets In this town.
will never be cleaned by anybody
''Oh. yes,' suggested Representative |
Norris of Nebraska. "a few speeches like |
this will produce some result"