Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-11-26
District Assessor Practically
Accused of Neglect of Duty.
METHODS ARE CRITICISED
Saws Burdens Are Put on the Small
Homes.
RICHARDS REPLIES AT LENGTH
Meeting of Piney Branch Citizens
Association Taken UP by
the Joint Debate.

the Joint Debate.
Intimation that charges of official mis-
conduct may be made against Assessor
William p. Richards and the three assist
ant assessors of the District OF Column
bia by the House subcommittee that in
vestigated local assessment and taxation
matters was contained in speech de-
livered last night before the Piney
Branch Citizens Association by Herbert
]. Browne, realty expert employed by the
committee.
With the assessors and two of his
assistants present, Mr.. Browne attempted
10 show that the administration of Mr..
Richards office has been lacking in many
respects, his statements containing in
situations and, in some instances. prac-
tically direct charges that the assessor
has been guilty of ineficiency and neglect
of duty.
Mr. Browne directed attention to the
fact that action by the Supreme Court is
required before an assessor or an aSStS-
taut assessor may he removed from ONCE
on charges of inefticiency, neglect OF duty
or malfeaSance in Office. He character
lied this as a cumbersome method ana re-
marked Significantly that the George COM
mttee probably VIII have something TO
Say about il later
When men are in Office for life YOU
sometimes don't get very good results,
said MIR. Browne. IF man was work
ing for and guilty of either of the
three charges mentioned it would not re-
qure action by the Supreme Court for me
10 get rid OF him..
Time Taken UP With Joint Debate.
The meeting of the association practi-
Cally resolved itself into joint debate be-
tween Mr.. Browne and Assessor Richards,
the former speaking for more than an
hour and the latter consuming nearly an
equal amount of time. Mr.. Richards
read from a manuscript, answering only
those charges preferred by the commit
tee expert which he had anticipated.
Mr.. Browne directed attention TO the
fact that the assessor, in his 1910 report,
had predicted an increase in the assessed
valuation of S:0.e0o,C00 due to the en-
hancement of ground values. He stated
that when the next assessment roll was
made up this S30,O10,0O0 of increased val
uation on ground values had dwindled to
S1s.O0O0O, While the remainder, or ST.,
OO0,OtO had been applied TO small homes.
Mr.. Browne then asserted that he and
Henry George. jr., chairman of the COM
mittee. investigated the field books In the
assessors office and discovered page after
page of eraSureS reducing assessments
already determined and entered at an ad-
vance in the speculative areas, and
raising assessments already determined
and entered on small homes.
Mr. Richards had anticipated the charge
and was ready to- meet ii.
Il wish to state that. after careful
examination, / fail to find this $4,000, OOt
or the 10000 small homes on which it is
placed" he said In fact. 1 can show
by three subtractions that such ar
amount is fictitious. The difference be-
tween the Improvement values of 1911
and 1912 is s11.623. $50, and taking the as
SCISSORS report. there should be deducted
from this S. .02, go. There is also q
further reduction of s957. 270 for the bust
ness area. leaving less than $S.OOO,OO0 fol
increase on old buildings in all parts OF
the District outside of the business area.
Alleged Illegal Assessment.
Mr.. Browne was granted ten minutes
for rebuttai, and he announced that he
would direct attention to something not
contained in the George report. He stated
that shortly before the death of Oden F..
Horstman, formerly connected with the
assessors Office. NJ. Horstman had fur
nished him with copy of the testimony
given at the hearings on charges brought
against Assistant Assessor Samuel Kalb-
Jus. This testimony. declared the speak
er. showed that Mr.. kalbfus had sold to
Peter A. DruTy piece of property on the
west side of Connecticut avenue, near the
bridge spanning Rock creek, at S1.43 a
square foot.
Under the law requiring that real prop
erty in the District shall be assessed at
not less than two-thirds of its real value.
this property should be assessed at 90
cents foot. whereas. according to Mr..
Browne. IL is assessed at but 40 cents
a foot The speaker asserted that this is
only one piece of evidence out of mass
now in the hands of the committee.
Need of Land Value Maps.
Mr.. Browne began his address by re-
ferring To the administrative and legis
lative reforms in the assessors office
recommended by the committee. and
the extent TO which they have been in
dorsed by Mr. Richards. He laid par
ticuiar stress upon the need of the
publication of land value maps, and
said that law is not required to give
the assessor authority to prepare and
issue such publica tions
The committees recommendation tina,
the fixed tax rate of 81 80 be repealed
the rate TO be determined by the Com
missionerS in accordance with the
needs of the annual budget could in
10 way be construed as being menace
10 the half-and-h;Zf principle by which
Congress appropriates for the District
the speaker declared
Mr. Browne said that the assessor is
provided with sufficient help, but tina,
there is no elasticity in the working
ARRANGEMENT maintained Dy the Office.
Referring TO instances of alleged gl-es
differentiation, Mr.. Brown directed at
tcntion to the improvements on the sub
7irban property of John r. Mclean
Friendship. which are assessed a
s2J.'so The speaker said that the ston
wall which fronts the place, the wrought
1rosl gates and the fountain alone repre-
sent cost of $1,000.
Mr. Richards remarks largely wer
taken up with the presenting of figure
connected with sales of property boil
IN tie business and suburban areas Z,
show that the assessments made by hi
office have been equitable
Larger Force Needed.
He declared that he needed large
Office force. but denied the charge tina
there is no elasticity in the present work
ing arrangement of his Office
This office is handicapped mostly b,
the lack OF a sufficient force as aids I,
the assistant assessors said Mr.
Richards. Again. the Office has beel
Handicapped in It's lack of maps relatin,
10 the city although the country work i
we'll supplied with such data. The great
est cause OF inequality. however. Is due I,
triennial assessments"
Mr.. Richards said that at the prone
time he would be ready to prove that In.
assessment figures equita BILE and tina
rank injustice has been done his offic,
in the attack made upon il by the Hous,
committee.
COME TO THE DEFENSE