The Washington times., 1915-11-13

wrong viewpoint at the start said Mr..
| Tucker.
Mr.. COOPER cited the assessments Of
| benefits for improvements long before
those improvements were begun as an
other injustice to District citizens.
lie said large areas In the northwest
had been acquired for parks. but when
| two parks were needed In the eastern
section OF the city. the citizens were
assessed for benefits derived from such
I parks.
| 1.-THE northeast section" he said.
| practically has no parks. except STAN
Of streets. and our citizens long have
urged that the Patterson tract be ac-
quired for park purposes. Under this
| new law we find that this tract is
bounded on the east BY Gallaudet Col
| lege. which belongs to the United States
| second side Of the triangle borders on
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad yards.
which cannot be said to be benefited
| by the Improvement. and therefore the
the property - ners along Florida ave-
4 nue. for a distance Of about one-ffth the
whole park frontage. The people Of the
northeast would rather do without the
| park than have these poor people. pay
Ing for homes on the instalment plan.
bear the burden
Advocates Own Plan.
| Senator Works said his attention. had
been called to many sdch assessments
| and that he didn't believe the District
citizens should be burdened with any OF
them.
After a while YOU will come around
TO my way Of thinking" he said. and
see that my plan holds out relief for
your situation"
When Mr.. Tucker continued to plead
| for the retention OF the half-and-half
In as.... "A h. In hAl Il
| afforded no protection. on Mr. fuckers
| own statement. for the people Of tho
District In the past.
Mr.. Tucker sadi he believed, II they
did not retain the half-and-half plan It
would be even worse.
New York avenue in the northeast
was pointed TO as street which
| would furnish n direct artery to tl.
| new Baltimore and Washington turn
| pike which had been neglected by
Congress
A few years ago. he continued. pro-
| vision had been made for the i'm ..
provement and the people along this
highway are now assessed for benefits
though work on the Improvement has
| not been begun.
| In answer to question by Senator
Works. Mr.. Tucker said he believed
Congress had created the present sur
plus of District over Federal revenues
to increase the burden OF taxation on
| the people OF the District.
Rents Have Fallen.
At the request OF Herbert J.
Bpwne. Senator Chiffon asked the
witness whether rents had fallen in
hts neighborhood. Mr. Tucker said
they had. as indicated by the signs
rent reduced"
Turning to the assessment. Mr..
Tucker said many small owners assess
ments had been Increased on i'm
not besn improveS S While pr9her's the sssess nsa
ments on the ground remained tho
same
Mr. worthinRton asked the witness
action regarding the half-and-baif plan
since the resolution OF two years ago.
Mr.. Tucker said II had indorsed the
| work of the citizens committee.
How many were present. asked
About thirty" said Mr. Tucker.
How much territory does your as
! sociation cover and how many people
are In that territory?' asked Senator
Mr. tucker said that originally the
essocia ton had represented the en-
tire northeast section though now there
were various local associations. He said
that there we're about 10000 people in
the northeast on rough guess.
You have 1900 people out there. and
! thirty attended your meeting" said
senator InlltOn.
MIR. Brandenbure began with a refu-
| tation OF the charge advanced by Mr..
Browne early in the hearing that the
Board OF Trade was a body Of pluto
Gratis.
What proportion Of working men
have your" asked Senator Works.
He said the board had some working
men among IT'S members a~' that many
we're salaried men. He pointed out that
there were no limitations on member
-N-G.. n.
small enough to permit any one to toin.
He explained that the sole object OF the
organization was to further the inter
ests OF the Capital and that all the
recommendations made by committees
were passed upon by the general body.
Committees Do Much.
Mr.. Brandcnburg dwelt on the point
that much District Hesitation passed by
Congress was not considered by Cow
gress, but came out OF committees or
subcommittees.
Smaller groups of men" he said.
| ARE always open to those influences
which affected the George report"
IAN these evils occurred under the
half-snd-half plan. didn't they" asked
Senator Works.
They did" said Mr.. Brandenburg.
but without It they would be greater.
Now, at least. Congress feels It has
some moral obligation TO appropriate
money IOr tne DlStTiCt.
Mr. Brandenburg spoke highly OF the
present board of assessors. but said he
believed that any board would naturally
be Influenced to raise assessments un-
duly in view of the agitation In Con-
gres. about the District being under
| assessed.
On the ground that the work or
Cougressmen and Senators hnd been
greatly increased because of larsHr
Constituencies Mr.. Brandenburg made
a plea that the District be represent
.d In Congress. He said II was
anomaly that the Democrats and Re.
puhlicans OF the district cogfd send
delegates to their national convcn-
tions where these dcleGates voted for
nominees. vet they could not vote at
national elections,
Truesdell Recalled.
Former Commissioner Truesdell was
recalled to the stand late yesterday and
asked by Mr.. Worthinston II, during
the time he was Commissioner. from
1894 to 1897. the half-and-half law had
interfered In any way with the carry
/ -