Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-24
COMMITTEE BEGINS
ASSESSMENT PROBE
District Assessor Richards Un:
dergoes Rapid-Fire Cross
Examination.
ADMITS HE SUGGESTED
DROPPING OF TRIMBLE
Becomes Plainly Affected at Every
Question Touching on
His Honesty.

His Honesty.
In a rapid cross-f1re investigation the
House District committee, under Ben
johnson Of Kentucky as chairman, put
Assessor William P. Richards through
| three hours of examination today, forcing
Mr.. Richards to say, with other things,
that he had told Commissioners Rudolph
and Judson that Matthew Trimble Is in
competent to fill place on the board of
assistant assessors.
This was the start of what promises to
be q long set of investigations into Dis
trict affairs continuing the investiga-
tons of the last session. and setting out
to overturn the present method of assess
ment and taxation The dominant note
In the questions OF today was plainly
that of extreme antagonism, on the part
Of every member of the committee who
had anything to say, against the prac-
tice Of assessing real estate at tWo-thirds
Of it's actual value The question put to
Assessor Richards time and time again
was:
why do you not assess property at
it's full valueT"
Richards Visibly Affected.
Mr.. Richards was plainly affected by
every question affecting his personal
honesty. and at times he could hardly
find voice to make his remarks audible
even to the stenographer across the
| table from him. He made q dramatic
plea. almost at the outset of the hear
ing. that his record be looked into
with the greatest scrutiny. and denied
that he had ever touched a crooked
dollar in his life
Representative George took up the
| question of the George report on the
assessment and taxation Of values in the
District of Columbia, and asked Mr..
taken the advice @ Of that nseSs report % and not not
utterly diSregarded 1t when they started
their present triennial assessment. and
Mr.. Richards replied that the report had
never been looked upon as an act of
Congress-.
Mr.. Richards was considerably en-
barrassed also when, after repeated
meager debates of Congress" regarding
the act Of 1902. which set a twO-thirds
limit on assessments, Mr.. Johnson chal-
Record which had one word to % say On
the subject Of the act. The law wa1'
rushed 1,lsnst ta.tdn through as a rider to an ap,
there was no discussion Of It. >'
:. Assessor Richards Questioned.
Chairman johnson questioned Mr..
Richards about loans he had made on
two pieces Of property. one at Iowa
Circle and the other on Elm street. He
borrowed money on them. he said, from
the Washington Loan and Trust Company
and the American Security and Trust
Company. At the close Of this; Mr..
Richards broke into an almost fearful
denial that he had ever made a crooked
dollar in his life.
Il came here In 1891 at $780, I was
promoted to $2.40O. and later to 5000,
and as assessor I received $4,000 / have
always lived economically. / have al
ways saved money. l have lived always
as II i were to be kicked out at any
moment. / came here as a surveyor,
civil engineer, who is likely to be travel
ing about the country.
II have clean record" he said, almost
with a sob. Il want you gentlemen to
go over my checks. my bank accounts
and see for yourselves that ] have been
honest. l have bought property here,
but have reiigiously endeavored to draw
the line between speculation and invest
ment, knowing my position would not al
low me to be in the speculative market"
Representative George took up the in
quiry, asking II any improper influences
had been at work in assessments here.
Assessments have been made which
"Oulu Oc MSucT IL lily lucas HdO pre-
vailed he said, in reply to Chairman
Johnson'S question.
He said the board OF assistant as
SCISSORS, Messrs. Mckenzie, Kalbfus and
Trimble, had made the assessments. Mr..
Johnson dwelt on the point that there
have been sections assessed too low.
Admits Some Assessments Too Low.
THE section north Of Mt. Pleasant
was too low for years." said Mr.. Rich
ards. Il noticed that shortly after I
| came into Office" He said he thought 1t
had come to nearly proper figures in the
last assessment.
Representative Johnson asked him why
assessments are made here at two-thirds
of its true value.
The law says assessments must be
made at not less than two-thirds Of the
Zeal value
at more than two-thirds of the minimum
authorized by iaw?"
The answer was: Il think the law could
be interpreted to mean that the assess
ments are to be made at exactly two
thirds"
Mr.. johnson by his queries showed
that he believes that nothing In the law
prevents assessments on real estate be-
! Ing placed at 100 per cent instead Of 68
2-3 per cent.
Mr.. George questioned the witness
| about the formation of the board of as
SCISSORS. and said the assessor seemed
| to give up his power to q board. Mr.
Reed of New Hampshire asked IL the
assessor had ever been outvoted by his
assistants. He said he had been.
Representative Johnson read q section
of the law regarding assessment of land
in tne District Of Columbia at mot less
than two-thirds" Of Its value. He asked
Mr.. Richards why the minimum Or two
thirds OF the real value is used instead
of higher rate"
Puts It Up to Congress.
II believe 1t was the intent of Con-
gress"
Are you interested in the District Of
Columbia's welfare?'
Yes"
And yet you have sought to lay taxes
at the lowest possible figure"
'I endeavored to obey the law"
Mr.. Johnson In an active line of ques-
| tiOns drew out the fact that land had
been assessed at a low rate before the
present law.
The chairman asked II the assessor had
| any disagreement with the assistant as
| SCISSORS, and receiving q negative reply.
/ said:
Then you agree with them In their
present assessment"
L 0ofA