Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-24
DISTRICT TAX BASIS
Inquiry Under Way Into the As.
SeSSment Methods.
TESTIMONY OF OFFICIALS
Representative George Closely Cues
tions the Assessors.
HINTS AT DISCRIMINATION
Increases in Sections Subject Of spe-
cial Comment-Contrasts Large
and Small Homes.
HINTS AT DISSEMINATION

Increases made in taxation on improve
ments on small properties In three Sec
tons OF the city, the northeast, south
east and southwest sections, were brought
out today In the inquiry which the SUBJ
committee on taxation Of the House Dis
trict committee is making at the District
building. Assessor Richards and As
sistant Assessor Mckenzie were question
ed by Representative Henry George, jr.,
OF New York, and 1t was developed that !
IN one square in the southwest section of
the city. occupied by small property
owners, the assessments were increased
approximately 30 per cent. Mr.. George
said later that this evidenced the fact
that the small property owner seems to
be getting the worst Of matters when
the assessments on the property of the
rich man are considered.
The reasons as to the general increases
In certain sections Of the city were stated
to be that several months ago the Com
missioners commented on the fact that
in condemnation proceedings the assessed
values seemed to be far below the
awards. and urged the assessors to look
into the matter.
Regarded as Big Increase.
This seems to be a huge increase"
asserted Mr.. George, when Assessor
Richards showed that the assessment for
the square between ~ and 9Th and G
and H streets southwest, the improve
ments consisting Of old buildings. had
been increased $4,000. 1T is about 80
per cent" he continued.
How do you account for it," he asked
Mr.. Richards.
''The old assessment was too low"
answered the assessor.
Mr.. George then learned that Messrs.
Mckenzie, Kalbfus and Trimble made the
previous assessment.
Mr.. Richards said he believed the as
sistant assessor had made close investi-
cations of sales in the territory, and be-
heved the former assessments were too
low.
Are there small home owners in that
square?' asked Mr.. George: and the
assessor in answer said that In this
square, as well as others In the Sec
ton, there are many wealthy owners.
Mr.. George at this point asked that
the assessor submit report to him as
square which it was noted are assessed
at from $500 to $4,000.
This Information will be given later,
the assessor announced.
It was testified that there was an
increase Of "a per cent on the assess
ments Of improvements in square $50.
bounded by 9Th and 9TH streets and G
and II streets northeast.
Another Advance Explained.
The properties involved are those Of
small home owners, and are assessed at
from $1,000 to $500 each.
Here, again, Mr.. Richards said the pre-
vious assessment was too low. The Com
missioners. he said, had the opinion that
the ofhce was shooting below the two
thirds mark as to the valuation Of prop
critics. and that it should go above.
such suggestions?' asked Mr.. George
What information did they have which
would serve to bring out these sugges-
tions?'
Mr.. Richards replied that the Commits
sioners had looked into condemnation
assessments in q large number of In
stances, and afterward they thought the
awards of the juries and the assessments
showed too great discrepancies.
buidin@ site 'an the condemnst dsn once inry
awarded a sum two and one-half times
the assessed valuation, the assessor said,
which caused the Commissioners to in
vestigate.
There was an increase of per cent in
the assessments of square S44, lying be-
tween 9Th and 9Th streets and c and D
streets southeast
why was there an increase Of per
cent here and "a per cent in another
square?" interrupted Mr.. George.
Merely the judgment Of the assessors"
replied Mr.. Richards.
In the square bounded by I and K
streets and 4th and 9TH streets the i'm
provements averaged 1900. The increase
here was about 1 per cent.
do the large home owners give in
forma ton as readily as to their houses
as do the small home owners?" asked
mo. would not say So" replied Mr.
Richards.
Mr.. Belmont Not Located.
The question as whether Perry Bel
mont readily gave information as to
the cost Of his home at 18th street and
New Hampshire avenue northwest
brought reply from Mr. Mckenzie
that the assessors did not know where
to locate Mr.. Belmont.
1t was afterward brought out that
Mr.. Belmont was not seen until after
the property in question had been as
sessed and he desired q reduction Of the
amount. He called at he District
building for that purpose, 1t was said.
recess was taken at 1880 O'Clock
and the inquiry was not called to or
der again until $3.50 o'clock, when Mr..
George resumed his Inquiries
Problems Confronting the Assessors.
The difficulties under which the tax
assessors labor were brought out at the
session yesterday afternoon. and Repre-