Evening star., 1913-12-04
CHEVY CHASE INQUIRY :
ON DELIVERY RATES
Citizens Association Discuss.
es Tax Reform and Fire
Engine House Site.

! Tax reform in the District delivery
rates of certain transfer companies and
the location OF fire engine house were
discussed by the Citizens Association OF
Chevy Chase OF the District OF Columbia
at meeting held at the home OF one o.
its members, L. +. Coladay, 3734 North
ampton street last evening.
The association decided to Investigate
the rates charged by certain companies to
deliver goods from the trains to homes
1t was said that the companies in aues-
tion charged from two to three times as
much to deliv% goods as Two other com
panies, operating especially in Chevy
Chase, charged.
1t was explained that the railroads did
not give the person TO whom the goods
were consigned an opportunity to say by
what transfer company he wished the
goods delivered, but gave the packages to
the company they desired. When the com
panies had received the things to be de-
livered nothing remained but for the con-
signee to pay the charges asked. it was
pointed out.
Site for Fire Engine House.
The establishment of fire engine
house at Grant road and Connecticut ave
nue. was advocated by the association in
place of the site at Idaho and Wisconsin
avenues which is said to be now under
consideration by the District authorities.
Congress will soon take action to change
the methods of taxation i'll thy District
and probably to abolish or >radically
modify the half -and-half principle, is the
opinion of William p. Mackenzie. who
told of the reforms being urged by the
Tax Reform Association of this city lie
pointed out many ways in which he said
cf1Y11 of IA n
just. He referred specifically 10 the
Capital Traction Company. which he said
was capitalized at $l6,G9O.000. but was
taxed on basis of SS0l, ,cUe.
The inequalities and determinations in
the assessment of District real estate
have long been notorious. he said. Ac-
cOrding to the most reliable hgures oD-
tainable. s2JOOO0.VW of District property
now lodges taxation. If taxed accord
ing to the law, at T.. per cent on two
thirds value. or ] per cent Of full value,
the additional revenue, amounting to
s.. .JUn.UW per annum, to say nothing OF
the equivalent amount from the federai
treasury. would provide ample means for
increased school facilities. modern hos
pitals, Fairgrounds and everything neces-
sary to make Washington the model city
OF the nation. 1t is q cause for shame
that in the nations capital the burden
of taxation is shifted to the shoulders OF
those who are least able to pay the
taxes.
Half Land Values Evade Taxation.
..One-half of the land values of the
District now evade taxation Under the
last assessment the average tax collected
on land values was almost exactly one
half of ] per cent. instead OF ] per cent
as required by law. while improvements
were taxed on an average at the full legal
limit of l per cent on their full value.
improvements have thus been taxed twice
as heavily as land values The natural
results of this Illegal and unjust system
have been high rents. overcrowding and
sium conditions.
Leonard Tuttle also spoke in behalf of
the single tax. He declared that nothing
grows in value except land Houses are
worth no more than the money it takes TO
rebuild them. Personal property does not
increase in value he said Mr.. Tuttle
answered q large number Of questions
which were asked him by members of the
organiza ton. Both speakers were ten
dered vote of thanks L. c. DuttoIh the
president. presided
Plans for campaign to secure new
members and for the obtaining of a hall
for meeting place were discussed
briefly.