davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1914-02-07
of Washington realty as compared
with that of other cities in 1917 Is
thus accentuated.

of Washington realty as compared
with that of other cities in 1919 is
thus accentuated.
Larger Assessment on Smaller Area.
Washington's steady increase in
realty assessments for many years is
the more notable in that there has
been constant decrease in its as
sessed and taxed area. While other
American cities are steadily enlargtng
their boundaries and by direct annexa-
tion increasing from year to year by
millions their assessed valuation. in the
case of the District of Columbia there
is a steady reduction in the absolute
amount of taxable real estate from
year to year. corresponding to the con-
demnations made by the national gov
ernment in the federal district and
the nations city for public purposes
For instance. in creating Rock Creek
Park and the Geological Park the gov.
ernment took nearly 1000 acres OF
land from the Districts tax list and
put them in the exempted column A
similar effect was produced. for fur
ther example, when valuable blocks OF
land were condemned as the sites for
the Congressional Library building
and the so-called city post off1ce. so
in the condemnation of land south OF
PENNSYLVANIA avenue resulting In the
Withdrawal of five city squares from
the Districts tax revenue-producing
property. in which case the Dlstrict
taxpayers were required to pay one
half the cost of proceedings which de-
creased by several million doiiars the
assessed real estate which bears the
bulk of Washington's tax burden. SO
in the recent condemnation of valuable
Evening star., 1914-02-07

squares constituting the Capitol Union
station plaza. Clearly where an in
creasing aggregate valuation is placed
burden of assessment upon that prop
abnormal rapidity.
sessed valuation is also notable. be-
crease in manufacturing plants and
the bulk of growth of assessment in
plants and industries of Washington
are governmental and while they have
expanded normally they are exempt
from taxation. and this growth does
not figure in the tax assessment.
Therefore in comparing the growth
of assessment valuations in Washing
ton with that of the commercial and
manufacturing cities like Baltimore,
Cincinnati, Milwaukee. New Orleans
and Detroit, for instance, it must never
be forgotten that Washington largely
lacks the millions of taxable property
which are found in the American busi-
ness city in the twenty-story sky
scrapers. In the solid blocks of busi-
ness establishments, and in the ware
houses and factories. Washington's
greatest and almost only conspicuous
and notable factories are the govern
ment workshops. such as the bureau
of engraving and printing and the
government printing Office. Washing
tons greatest business establishments
are the government departments, with
Evening star., 1914-02-07
TWO ARE SLIGHTLY BURNED.
Three False Alarms of Fire Also
Keep Firemen usy.

In attempting to extingnish fire at
1877 kilbourne street rthwest last
night Mrs. Clara Vail J. L. Miller
were both slightly burned. Mrs. Vail
was burned on the face and head while
Mr.. Miller had his right hand burned.
The fire originated In the front second
story room shortly after o'clock, and
lace curtains, some furniture and the
window frames were damaged. Mrs.
Vail discovered the fire, and. with Mr.
Miller. attempted to extinguish 1t when
they were burned. No. IL engine com
pany went to the house on a. local
, alarm and extinguished the fire. About
| $50 damage was done.
About 500 damage resulted from a
/ fire in an oyster house conducted by
Simon Mensh, at 454 Louisiana avenue
| northwest. shortly after Z o'clock last
night. The origin of the fire is un-
known.
Three false alarms Of fire were sound
ed last night, and for more than an
ing to them. The first alarm was sound
shortly after o'clock. The second
alarm was sent from 11th and Euclid
streets, while fifteen minutes after that
alarm another was sounded from sth
by the police that the same person sent
| in the three alarms.
Fire in the grocery store of Abraham.
Goldberg, $44 II street southeast, short
| y before 10 o'clock this morning did
about $40 damage. The flames originated
from chimney.
| Hot ashes in shed in the rear of
the home of Mrs. c. NJ CuIley,, 1851
morning caused a fire. The damage was
slight
Evening star., 1914-02-07
valued at nearly SAL, 900 more than

valued at nearly s45.ooo.Ooo more than
Baltimore and Minneapolis combined; at
nearly as much as Baltimore and Cincin-
natl combined; at S1S.O0000O more than
Buffalo and Newark combined: at $16,-
100000 more than three times as much
as the whole of New Orleans; over s17O,-
100000 more than New Orleans, st. Paul
and Louisville combined
The 342,OO Washingtonlans, one-third
colored, and including an extraordinary
percentage of non-taxpaying transients,
deprived of the taxable resources and
even the usual means of self-support of
the ordinary industrial city, are to pay
in taxes more than the $685. of Ba Ii
moreans and Minneapolitans combined.
Since the average American rate of taxa
ton is to be applied. the 10000 Washing
ton taxpayers. nearly all small property
owners. crippled and cramped in money
making in every conceivable fashion. are
to pay in taxes to sustain on a national
scale the nations city far more than the
aggregated taxpayers of New Orleans.
Louisville and st. Paul pay in municipal
taxes.
Does not the proposition on the Slight
est examination reduce itself to an alb
surdity?
The following table gives the realty as
sessments in 1912 of the cities above re-
ferred to, raised to the 100 per cent val
boc Gle
Evening star., 1914-02-07
SUES RAYMOND HITCHCOCK
AND SEEKS INJUNCTION
Phf1ander C. johnson Would Prevent
Further Production of "The
Beauty Shop"

Phiiander . johnson o, This city today
instituted suit against Raymond Hitch
cock. Cotlan & harris. Charming Pollock
and Rennold Wolf seeking an injunction
against the production of the play now
being pat on at the National Theater
called The Beauty Shop" and an ac-
counting,
In the bill Of complaint fled through
Attorneys Wilton J. Lambert and R II.
Yeatua1 it Is alleged tha, Mr.. johnson,
who Is d dramatic critic and composer,
had written a libretto entitled DIR.
Fakewel.' 10 he Used In comic opera,
which he submitted TO Mr.. Hitchcock
and which was In the Iatter's possession
from February 13, 1913. until March g.
1913
AIr. johnson claims that the rights to
his manuscript. which he had not pub
hshed 10 the world. have been infringed
by the defendants. and that they are de-
r!vinS great gains and profits from the
production Of THE Beauty Shop as a
result of this irfrin cement
Proceedings were instituted IN Chicago
for the same purpose, during the FIRST
week IN January. presumably because /,
was not believed that the show would be
put on in Washington II is said that
the Chicago proceedings will be dis
missed.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
ONE-HALF RAISE
Of TAX BURDEN
Continued from First Page,

ures. Take Baltimore. for instance. the
one large southern city which has a
nominal 100 per cent valuation. The
Baltimore assessors 1912. report the full
value Of all the real property in
great prosperous and wealthy Baltimore
as S312 col, ,Jo2. The Washington asses
sors report that two-thirds of the full
value of the assessed and taxed fraction
of Washingtons real property Is $3.50, ,322.
,isT, which makes its full valuation on
the 100 per cent basis S495, 5,4s3. 73o, or
SGD 81, o2s more than wealthy. busy.
Industrial Baltimore. with 90, 7si greater
population. The same lesson Is taught by
comparison of Washington's two-thirds
valuation of s330. 500 4S7 with the full
100 per cent valuations of Newark, S301.-
9.664 and Jersey City, $3.50 .S57.5lo. OF
course. it is absurd to suggest that the
fun valuation of real property in such
cities as Newark and Jersey City is In
It ality less by millions than the two-thirds
assessed valuation of real property in
the taxed fraction of Washington.
Hardly anywhere else In the United
states, no matter what the nominal
assessment rate of valuation may he,
Is realty actually assessed SO close to
the real value as In Washington today.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
'SALTS fine FOR
ACHING KIDNEYS
1--WE eat too much meat, which
clogs Kidneys, then the
: Back hurts.

J Nest folks forget that the kid
}neys, like the bowels, get sluggish
and clogged and need flushing
occasionally, else we have back
ache and dull misery in the kidney
{region, severe headaches, rheu-
! matte twinges, torpid liver, acid
}stomach, sleeplessness and all sorts
J OF bladder disorders.
} You simply must keep your kid
neys active and clean, and the
moment you feel an ache or pain
lin the kidney region, get about
{ four ounces OF Jad Salts from any
}good drug store here. take table
spoonful in glass of water before
breakfast for few days and your
Kidneys will then act fine. This
famous salts is made from the acid
of grapes and lemon juice, COM
bined with 1ithia, and is harmless
to flush clogged kidneys and slim
ulate them to normal activity. 1t
} also neutralizes the acids in the
urine so it no longer irritates. thus
ending bladder disorders.
! Jad Salts is harmless; inexpen-
}sive; makes a delightful effer-
}vescent lithia-water drink which
Everybody should take now and
}then to keep their kidneys clean,
{thus avoiding serious complica-
tons.
( A we'll known local druggist says
he sells lots of Jad Salts to folks
)who believe in overcoming kidney
trouble while it IS only trouble.
J Agent. O'Donnell's Drug Store.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
It'.u
" aNhingtOn George vaIua tiop) 744(M

These figures teach a vivid and Inn
pressive lesson in progressive and de-
structfve tax boosting.
WashfngtOn's actual assessment of
1912 is over thirteen million dollars
more than that of Detroit. and over one
hundred and sixty millions more than
that Of New Orleans. nearly doubling
the assessment of that city. On the full
valuation basis proposed by the pend
ing bill Washington would be assessed
at $122.S3c.22S more than Baltimore.
On the valuation of $744,OOO,OOO sug-
gested by the George tax report of 1912
Washington would be valued at more
than Baltimore and Minneapolis COM
bined, twice as much AS Baltimore and
over $17O,OOO.OOO more than New Or
leans, ST. Paul and Louisville combined.
Long before the peak of this noun
tain of tax-burden was reached. all real
value would be assessed out of WASH
ington realty. The higher it's valuation
for excessive taxation, the lower it's
value for sale, until at last 1t becomes
vaIueless and is cOnfscated by the tax
gatherer.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
Naval Militia Bill Passes

Tie Senate today passed the naval
militia bill as reported from the Senate
committee on naval affairs. The bill, pro
poses to promote the efficiency OF the
naval militia II provides for a uniform
organization of the naval militia in each
state territory and the District of Co
lumba. The bill has already passed the
House. and will now go TO conference
for the purpose of settling a few amend
ments made by the Senate committee.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
Asks $4,000 Damages for Fall.

The fall of an elevator on which he
was riding in connection with his work
on the new post Office building is the
basis Of a suit to recover $4,000 damages.
filed by Asa D. Marcy against the Ma
tional Fireproofing Company, a contractor
on the building. Marcy says he has been
seriously injured. Attorneys r. c. l..
Moncure and Leclie, Cox &, Kratz repre-
sent the plaintiff.
Evening star., 1914-02-07

1t is absurd to imagine that the taxed
fraction of Washington is underaSsessed
when its real property is rated in the
actual assessment as worth S13,692,19
more and on the 100 per cent basis as
worth St3.31o.olo more than that of the
whole of Detroit with its great indus
trial establishments and its popula aon
16n669 larger than that of the District.
There are 342. IIS Washingtonians, one
third of them colored people, the vast
majority OF them employed or very small
employers, with comparative lack
of extensive and costly industrial plants
aires and a maximum of clerks, working
men and small tradeSmen and transient
non-taXpayers. These 3i2. i16 Washing
tonians are credited with owning over
100000 more of taxable real estate
than the 503. .445 people 060.669 more than
in Washington who own the whole of
the great, rich. populous and prosperous
city of Detroit. Does any one in the
world believe this to be fact?
Is it to be believed that the taxed frac-
ton of non-industrial Washington is un-
derassesed. when il is shown to be worth
in terms of taxation assessment, on the
same basis of 100 per cent. over seventy
millions more than all of Buffalo, with
a population $3.50 greater, and with its
grain elevators. its mills. its steel plant,
its lake commerce, its manifold manu-
features and its retail business estab-
iishments2
Is the taxed fraction of Washington
underassessed when II Is valued ION the
100 per cent basis as worth $le2, So, 22S
more than the whole of wealthy, pros
porous. busy industrial Baltimore. with
226,1s4 greater population? And on the
loo per cent basis $50. ,o5O more than
Cincinnati and sl67. .735. 74O more than the
whole of Minneapolis?
In per capita assessment valuation of
total property values real and personal
Washington has a higher per capita
figure than 155 of the 1874 American
cities in 1912 and a less per capita than
only SO of those cities.
Since 1912 the assessment of Wash
,ngton real estate has been pushed
from $50 to $50 millions, representing
as an assessment on the two-thirds
basis $40 millions of taxable realty.
The grossness of the over-assessment
Evening star., 1914-02-07
To Give Views of Progressives.

Herbert Knox Smith, former commits
sioner of corporations. William Draper
Lewis. dean OF the law school of the
University of Pennsylvania, and Donald
Reichberg viii present the progressive
rarty's views on the interstate trade
commission bin before a House com
mittee next Wednesday.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
THE COURTS.
Court of Appeals.

No. 2eo3. Fletcher agt United states. /.
argument commenced by Mr.. George y.
Hoover for appellant. continued by Mr..
c. r. Wilson for appellee. and concluded
by Mr.. James 4. O'Shea for appellant. !.
on motion appellant allowed five days
to file reply brief.
Adjourned from day TO day,
Evening star., 1914-02-07
Argentina's President Ill.

The State Department is informed that
President Saenz Pena Of the Argentine
Republic has asked indefinite leave of alb
sence from the discharge Of his functions.
on account of illness. The executive Of
flee has been for some months in charge
of Vice President de la Plaza
Evening star., 1914-02-07
Unmistakably overassessed.

Comparisons between Washington and
other cities in regard to the assessed
valuation of realty. for purposes of taxa
ton. should always be coupled with the
understanding that the large industrial
establishments which elsewhere contrib
uate most heavily to the city's wealth
and taxable property are here in large
measure non-eXistent save in the form of
the government departments and mechan-
ical establishments. These local indus
tries. however, are not included in the
taxable properties. for the governments
holdings are exempt from assessment.
Hence when Washington is compared in
this respect with such busy industrial
centers as Detroit. Buffalo and Mime
apolls, the local total of assessed valua-
ton, representing an almost exclusively
pon-industrial community, stands against
the totals of cities where are scores. even
hundreds, of mills and shops and fac
tories, producing enormous values and
giving employment to great numbers
Even so, the taxed fraction of Washing
ton is assessed at higher total than any
of these cities. Here are the figures:
Evening star., 1914-02-07
Clinton Van vliet Dead.

NEW YORK, February 7.-Clinton Van
vliet. president of the Goodyear India
Rubber Selling Company. died yesterday
after an operation for appendicitis and
the amputation of his left leg. made nee
essary by gangrene which set in.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
George Assessments Spell Ruin.

Relatively to the other cities with which
tax comparisons are made the wash
ington assessment is already excessively
high. To increase this assessment by 30
per cent as proposed by the George bill
would decrease the selling value pro-
portionately. To double this assess
ment. as by adding s414, 100000 to an as
sessment of $3.50, 900, 600 to bring the val
uation to the figures (s74i.o0o.o .ooo) Of the
George report of 1912. would mean quick
and complete bankruptcy.
Washingtons taxed realty, as We have
seen, is only a fraction of its area and
constantly decreasing fraction, owing to
successive condemnations of taxed real
property by the government. This taxed
fraction does not include the city'S great
workshops. its largest industrial plants.
represented in other cities by mills and
factories standing for millions of taxable
propertv Here our great mills and fac
tories and workshops are Uncle Sam s
property and do not figure at all in the
assessment roll
The George report proposes to assess
and tax a decreasing fraction of the capi-
tails area, deprived of the heaviest fac
tors of real estate assessment, at a hs-
ure which values it as worth twice as
much as the whole of wealthy. busy, in
dustrial Baltimore, with 226, ,7s4 greater
population; nearly twice as much as the
whole Of the magnificent city of Cincin-
Eati. with its great industrial establish
ments and its population 44.167 larger
than that of the District.
The taxed fraction of Washington is
Evening star., 1914-02-07
Nagel to Testify at Hearing.

Former Secretary Charles Nagej of the
Department Of Commerce and Labor will
take the stand next Wednesday when
hearings are resumed in the Office OF
Secretary Relfeld Of the Department of
Commerce. In connection with the charges
of misconduct IN the administration cs
the lighthouse service The charges
filed by W. j. la Narrc principally cover
period when Mr. Nagel headed the
Department Of Commerce and Labor.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
t Street NW Petwortf Zone Block From Soldiers Hon
five Houses Quincy Street Facing Soldiers Home Par
AT LAST A CHANGE IN ARCHITECTURE

We've gotten away from the so-called Colo
NAL" with the wooden posts and floors and steps,
and intend to build home of moderate cost on
which the buyer will have expense for five years
anyway.
IF THE PLASTER FALLS while you are pay
ing for the house it will be replaced at expense
IF THE ROOF LEAKS while you are paying
for the house repair it our expense.
IF THE FOUNDATIONS or porch or steps
settle while you paying for the house we'll level
Evening star., 1914-02-07

William H. Bowdle Of fredericksburg
Md. contractor and builder. died Friday.
following a naralytic stroke received
Tuesday
Evening star., 1914-02-07
District Supreme Court.
EQUITY COURT NO. s-Justice ;;

EQUITY COURT 40. e-Justicc STAFF
ford.
Cowsill agt Cowsill: order for ali
mony and custody Of child awarded 10
mother. plaintifrs attorney, George "
Drew; defendants attorney, W. II.
Wahly
Massachusetts Bonding Company aSt.
Northwestern Construction Company ct
al. reference to auditor: plaintiff $ at
torneys. Ellis * Donaldson: defendant ;
attorneys, r. S. Huidekoper, \. II. Fer
lguson.
| Rehner agt. Lowry; writ of assistance
plaintiffs attorneys Edwin Forrest. J
e Potbury. defendants attorney. j. I.
Gardiner.
Jones ast. Jones. examiners fees or
dered paid: plaintiffs attorneys. Hayden
johnson. Rice Hooe. defendants at
torney. w. +. Ambrose.
| Urban agt Urban: order amendlnE
order of December 10. 1913; plaintin ;
attorney. II. !. Quinn: defendants at
torney, J. Z. Gardiner.
| Hicks agt Hicks; order for alimony
plaintiffs attorneys. Duckett & Duckett
defendants attorney. J. i. Archer.
| Michaelson agt- Michaelson: motion to
strike out answer overruled: plaintiff $
attorneys. 7. J. Butler. T ", OBrien,
defendants attorney, NJ J. Colbert.
| AIilliken agt. Milliken; arrears of ALI
| mony ordered paid and to pay examiner $
fee: plaintiffs attorneys. J. NJ. Proctor
w. E. Ambrose. defendants attorney
| NJ. W. Sullivan.
| Stoddard agt. Gladman: motion to
| vacate decree overruled. with costs: ap-
peal noted: plaintiffs attorney. S. V
Hayden: defendants attorneys, Ralston
& Richardson.
Evening star., 1914-02-07

Bringing these cities to the 100 per cent
basis and adding Baltimore and Cincin-
natl the table stands:
Evening star., 1914-02-07

First cut the usual speculative builders
PROFIT IN HALF. Then we have contracted for
large quantities of the best materials and for the
higher class of skilled labor. We have completed
33 houses recently and sold % of them, and are
starting IS more.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
defendants S attorneys,

Blaine Coppinger. defendants attorneys.
Maddox & Galley.
PROBATE CoJRT-Justice Stafford.
Estate of Edwin T. Jones; will dated
April :. 1911 filed
Estate OF Stilson Hutchins. hearing on
application of widow for allowance post
poned indefinitely. attorneys. Cuttings q
Chamherln.
Evening star., 1914-02-07

them up or, failing to do SO land sometimes it
not be done), we'll give you house your
money back less fair rental.
These Fine Spanish Mission Houses will be built 5t
NV, in Petworh, block from Soldiers Home
Quincy street facing Soldiers Home Park Ken
lucky avenue Sc, block from Lincoln Park.
Details: Tapestry brick, Spanish tile roof, gas logs
parlor halls solid floors and stairs white
finish; mahogany doors birch. Papered suit the
buyer.
the whole proposition.
Evening star., 1914-02-07

their thousands of employees. These
factories and these business establish
ments cut no figure in Washington 8
assessed valuation. for they are within
the exempted fraction of the capital
which belongs to the nation.
How ridiculously low would be the as
sessed valuation OF any of these CONNER
cial and manufacturing cities If its list
of taxable property were similarly treat
ed, and there were stricken therefrom Its
principal factories and business establish
ments How quickly would the people OF
any of these cities perceive and complain
that their assessment valuation was eX-
cessive if after such eliminations their
city's tax valuation was greater than that
of some equally populous neighbor. whose
tax list had not been thus curtailed.
Washingtons population is less than that
of any of the cities above enumerated.
Its assessed fraction lacks the indicated
important factors of "A business city $
valuation, which cut so large inquire IN
the assessments of these other cities. yet
the valuation of the assessed fraction OF
Washington was in 1872 on the basis OF
the actual valuations. 103 per cent of that
of Buffalo, 1877 per cent of that OF New
Orleans 104 per cent of that OF Detroit
and 1903 per cent of that of Newark. or.
putting all valuations on the 100 per cent
basis, Washingtons valuation was llI
per cent of that of Detroit, 222 per cent
of that of New Orleans, 12O per cent OF
that of Milwaukee. 49, per cent OF that
of Cincinnati 132 per cent of that OF Bal
timore, more than twice as much as that
of Louisville, ST. Paul or kf 1sas City.
Evening star., 1914-02-07

CIRCUIT COURT NO 1-Justice Barnard.
Kingan & Co. agt Hoover; argued and
submitted; plaintiffs attorneys \. a.
Birney and H. Winship Wheatley; claim
ants attorneys. Leckie, Cox & Kratz.
Cady agt. District OF Columbia: motion
for new trial filed; plaintiffs attorneys
w J. Lambert, D. W. Baker and r. II.
Yeatman; defendants attorneys, r. ].
Whiteford and T. H. Stephens.
Evening star., 1914-02-07
HOW WE DO IT

Do II
THE MATERIAL MEN AND THE MECHANICS
KNOW THAT WE PAY CASH. THEY ARE SURE OF
THEIR MONEY. ONE OF OUR sUBCONTRACTORs
who was "ow man., said 1T keeps and force busy
and if only swap dollars I'm all right because know my
will paid These Of the why
for the money house and lot than
before offered
Evening star., 1914-02-07

CIRCUIT COURT NO. 2-Justice Ander-
son.
Arnold Dietz & Co. agt. De.chman:
motion to remand to Municipal Court
overruled with leave to file declaration in
five days; plaintiffs attorney. r. NJ. Hud-
son; defendants attorney, l.. A Block
Gorrell agt- Drury; new trial granted;
plaintiffs attorneys, W. G.. Gardiner and