Evening star., 1911-01-28
.PaIatiaI Homes Not Assessed
According to Cost.
WHAT ASSESSOR CLAIMS
Declares Thousands Are Spent by
Owners in Fanciful Decoration.
NORTHWEST BEARS BURDEN
With Assessment of $255, 900 900.
Nearly Four-Fifths Is in
That Section.

That the board of assistant assessors OF
the District does not assess many pala-
tial houses at the value actually repre-
scented by the outlay of the owners
money, but rather on the value OF the
house as determined by market condi-
tions. which sometimes make low fig
ure, was frankly stated by William +.
Richards District assessor today. The
reason he gave for this is that many a
house owner spends thousands of dol
lars on some fanciful decoration which
costs a large sum of money to produce,
but which no one but the owner wants.
Take a d-thousand-dolla
house, for instance" he said Many a
thousand dollars in the cost of the house
has been put into some painting or deco
ration. or rooms have been arranged to
suit some hobby of the owner.
The result is high cost for something
which only the owner wants No one
else would be willing To pay that much
money for the same results at all
Therefore, we believe We are justified IN
finding some compromise between the
market value and what might be termed
the 'esthetic value.
Assessment Exceeds Value.
However" he continued. those cases
are rare. / have in mind an instance of
what our assessments have been as rule
in the northwest section. a house recent
~ bought on 10th street for 10000 had
been assessed for $4,000
Figures prepared in the assessors office
this morning show that the richer section
of the city pays a little more than three
fourths of the taxes on real estate. The
total assessment of 1908 was $50 O0O,0CO
OF this the sum of s5594O,OO0 was
charged to georgetown, the southwest,
the southeast and northeast, leaving prac-
tically s2U0WO.00o to the northwest
Speaking of ineuua litieS in the assess
ment, MIR. Richards said he had recon-
mended that at least two competent per-
sons be authorized to act as inspectors
surveyors of assessable buildings, re-
porting to the board of assessors the gen.
eral conditions. size, height, width,
depth. heating systems, number of rooms
etc. He is of the opinion that If inspec-
tors are furnished to give this infOrma-
tion there should be a more equitable as
sessment and fewer complaints.
Arrangements for Hearing.
The board is now waiting to hear from
property owners who feel they have been
assessed too high. Hearings will be ar
ranged for from now until July 1.
Commissioner Rudolph said today that
ne h4Q nOt1ceO no hurry IN the District
building because of the charges made by
Representative Bennett of New York that
the Commissioners and the assessor and
his board were all in collusion in a scheme
to attract rich property holders to the
city.
LAS far as / know the matter is a
closed incident. We may do something
about II, but / am sot saying what. If
that mysterious letter is ever produced
then there may be something to be said
or done"
Johnston Prepares Explanation.
Commissioner Johnston prepared a type
written statements today for the benefit
of any one who wants information on the
subject Of how and why and when men,
bers Of the board Of assistant assessors
are appointed or dismissed. The papers
for the most part are extracts from the
statute books. At the bottom of the page
was this statement:
.'Inasmuch section OF the act of
1894 provides for criminal prosecution
and removal. apparently that is now the
proper method Of removing any of the
members Of the permanent board OF as
sistant assessors.
Amy person having just cause Of COM
plant or a charge Of inefficiency. neglect
of duty. or malfeasance in Office to make
against the assessors should, under these
statutes, make such complaint or charges
TO the United States attorney for this
District"