Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-08-26

INVESTIGATION MADE
Grand Jury May Sit For Months IN
Preparing Indictments For raise
Tax Returns.

lax Returns.
Many citizens of Alexandria face the
probability of being indicted by
special grand jury for failure to give
,orract returns of their income Tor
+,vos as the result Of an investlga-
ton made by State Auditor Z. Lee
Moore. a former resident OF this city'
Ever since the returns OF the OlahkS
for the assessment of personal prop
ertv have been received from the
various commissioners of revenue
over the State Mr.. Moore has been
goinc into the question most thor-
ouphly and he finds such startling
condition of affairs that he has con-
cluded % call the attention Of the varl-
Gus courts throughout the State "here
the differences are apparent ana ask
that the grand jury be appointed 10
90 over every name on the tax lists
and bear testimony as to the returns
given in.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch IS
publishing list Of all residents OF
cities who have sworn to incomes OF
over $4,000 and the list is pltltully
ssmall. Here in Alexandria only 65
persons turned in any income Tor
taxation purposes.
1t is anticipated that the grand
Jury which will investigate the tax
returns here will be in session Tor
two or three months in order that 1t
may give attention to every name on
the tax books and hear testimony as
to the returns given in.
II is believed a good many Alex
andria people who make more than
So coo in the year have not so certl-
fled and that others whose names ap-
pear on the income tax list have not
given in the full amount of their
earnings and other receipts.
Information along this line may be
secured from many sources-real es-
tate agents, employers and business
associates, while the books of all OF
the business concerns are available IN
the work of learning the income OF
any person. Any witness within the
Jurisdiction Of the court may be sum-
moned and must testify under oath if
required to do so.
1t may be that Auditor Moore will
lay emphasis on the incomes and on
the bank deposits of the people oil
Alexandria, since it appears that there
may perhaps be food for more work in
these respects than in others.
Inspection of the books may reveal
worse conditions in other parts Of the
State that in Alexandria. Indeed, it
is expected this will be the case. Courts
in all such localities will be re-
quested by the auditor to give special
charges to their grand juries cover
ing any point which may be raised by
him.
So far has the matter gone that
circular letter is being sent out from
the office of the Auditor to those conn.,
missioners of the revenue who make
inquiry about when they will receive
their cmmission from the state for
their years work. This letter says
that inasmuch as these books will
probably have to go before the grand
jury and therefore will be subject
to change. the commissions cannot be
paid at present. Increase in taxes
values as the result of indictments
would get more taxes for the States
and for the counties and cities, and
would swell the commissions of the
revenue officers.
Commissioner Of Revenue Charles
H. Callahan is one of the unfortunate
officials whose commissions have been
held up by the State Auditor. Mr..
Callahan said this morning that he
had done everything in his power to
secure full returns from the citizens
of Alexandria and the whole subject
was now out Of his hands.