The Washington herald., 1914-03-05
DISTRICT LAWS
SPELL failure
Prosperity Under the Present
Plan Impossible, Asserts
Christian Heurich.
CRISIS FOR WASHINGTON
Millionaire Brewer Declares that
Change in Form of Local Gov
eminent Is Necessary.

Present day conditions and the future
OF Washington were painted in gloomy
colors by Christian Heurich. millionaire
brewer and one Of the biggest tsxpay-
ers of this city, 4 l. explained to a
reporter for The Washington Herald yes
terday his protest against the proposed
change in the administration Of District
finances. Mr.. Heurich was Joined in
his views by Mrs. Heurich. who in her
own right is an extensive property own
er and taxpayer.
''WashinGton is passing through a
crisis" said Mr.. Heurich. ''and the future
looks dark and ominous. II help is not
forthcoming in the shape OF legislation
founded on sanity, justice and fairness
to the people OF Washington, i am
afraid that bankruptcy will overtake
many of us. / have been engaged in
business in the District for forty years.
but never during this long period have
prospects been SO discouraging. and new
er in those many years have the people
OF the District been treated with less
consideration by Congress than now
Referring to the cau--5 responsible for
present day conditions, Mr.. Heurich
blamed the Jones-Works excise law as
being primarily responsible He said II
was responsible for depreciation OF real
estate and personal property, for loss OF
business in every walk Of life and throw
ing many out Of employment
Real Estate Is Idle.
There are more empty houses in
Washington now." continued Mr..
Heurich. than ever since i can remem-
ber Consequently there Is no revenue
from this property, and yet the tax as
sessment increases steadily Irrespective
of whether the property is paying or
losing proposition.
''Speaking for myself, my own business
in being worked on a profitless basis, due
TO unjust legislation. and yet my proper
ties are assessed at a higher rate this
wear than ever When one considers that
/ pay in wages more than S2.Oco weekly
and that under present conditions the
brewery cannot run with a proht, II Is |
n saw the least, a very serious matter. |
..T cannot believe that Congress In |
tends TO cripple business to such an ex-
tent that the whole community VIII SUI
fer As to the tax assessment on my |
property am willing to sell it at hgures
placed upon il by the assessor. nave
been in business in this city for the last
forty-tyo years, and although one of the
largest taxpayers, 1 can assure you that
NV property has been accumulated
through hard work and fair and honest
dealings.
"'ChanEe Is Needed"
II have never owned a piece of prop
eftN Indt was d nlSn EtNShNC
or that could not stand daylight invest
igation. Having assisted in the building
up of this city / naturally take deep
interest in its welfare, and it grieves me
to see the Punishment of prosperity
which the proposed tax legislation Will
surely accomplish. There surely must
exist misunderstanding OF present con-
ditions among our Legislative and execu-
tive officers, otherwise the future OF
and its citizens looks very
dark indeed"
Mr. Heurich said he had never favored
a change from the present system OF
the District, but that he had
his mind.
''Unless Congress treats the people OF
his city with more fairness, and unless
hose OF the members who hold this city's
'uture in their hands study local condi- ,
ions more thoroughly and with an un-
biased mind, I am of the opinion that
he people of this city should have the ,
light TO govern themselves, tax them !
selves. and spend their own money as
hey see fit ,