Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-18
GEORGE ASSESSMENT REPORT ASSAI-ED BY THE BOAR

testimony before the George committee
regarding the relation between taxes and
rents communication from the asses
sor's Office is quoted to note certain COM
York. bearing on the testimony Of Law
son Purdy, whom Mr.. George called the
greatest municipal tax expert
Conclusions.
The committees report concludes as
follows:
1.-The inquiry or investigation is stated
to be: A particular inquiry where the
members OF the committee require GER.
tain individuals whom they think can
throw light on this subject to come and
testify on OATH Only such persons testi-
fled whom the committee desired and re-
quired. And on the testimony OF such
desired and required witnesses the &C nclu-
sions are said to be drawn.
THE witnesses who testify as to excess
assessments upon small properties are
those directly interested in them as an
agent therefor or owners thereof The
testimony OF Mr. Browne is absolutely
worthless No founda ton for II Is given.
1t is but;ressed by his own statements
and estimates. Where contrasted with
other and unQuestionable evidence ii lis
entirely overthrow.
Even cursory examination Of the
testimony by any one conversant with
realty values in the District Of Columbia
reveals statements made in variance with
almost common knowledge while any
kind OF detailed examination of the tesff.
mony clearly makes manifest prediction
and bias Of witnesses on whom the inyes.
tigating committee rely for its conclu-
slons and easily obtained other evidence
shows that statements of such witnesses
are not worthy of credence.
Your committee submits that there IS
not anything in the testimony to --arrant
any statement that in the District Of CO.
tumbia realty as a whole or in general
Is unequally assessed, or that it is at all
assessed below a fair and Just valuation
AS has been noted. the investigating CON-
mittee itself states and quoted at the be-
ginning of this report:
improvements are assessed for the tri-
ennial period just closed at sl6O, AIS. 4SI.
two-thirds of their true value.
Erroneous Conclusions Alleged.
your committee is OF the opinion that
the investigation or inquiry should not
nave weight. that the conclusions drawn
therefrom are erroneous and tend to mis-
INFORM those not cognizant of the facts.
Your committee at this time does not
express any views upon the method of
assessment and taxation. but upon this
and other questions relating to assess
ment and taxation your committee ex-
poets to bring in a subsequent report.
Entertainment OF existing conditions
and recommendations thereon in the opin-
ion OF your committee demand fair and
impartial examination upon testimony OF
unprejudiced persons who know existing
facts and conditions. then upon such tes-
mOny to state the facts and to draw con-
clusions. which are consistent with exist
Ing facts and conditions.
In conclusion. your committee recon-
mends the adoption of the following:
Resolved. by the Washington Board of
Trade. on recommendations Of its COM
mlttee on municipal finance. which has
examined the report and testimony rela-
tive to assessment and taxation of real
estate in the District of Columbia. filed
in the House Of Representatives August
-, 1872 as follows:
"First-The Washington Board of Trade
deprecates the tone of said report in that
1t states that certain of the officials of
this municipality in the discharge of their
official duties have unduly favored some
and Disseminated against others. and
expresses IT'S utmost confidence in these
officials 2nd believes implicitly in their
a'r-mind edneess and impartiality.
"Second-A large part of the information
set out in the testimony. taken before the
committee of the House. when analysed.
its Partially, and. in many respects. its
unreliability considered. does not war