Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-11-18
Insist on Assessment and
Collection in Annexed
District
TO EMPLOY COUNSEL
John NJ. Johnson Declines to Act Tor
City-Aldermen Concur in Action
OF Lower Board.

After a somewhat lengthy discus
sion common council last night adop-
tcd a resolution authorizing the nm.
ancc committee to employ additional
counsel to assist Corporation attor-
nov Samuel P. Fisher in the prosecu-
tion of the suit to compel the eommls
sioner of revenue to assess the prop
ertv in the annexed territory for the
citv taxation for the year 1918.
There were fourteen members pres
ent.
Councilman Bryan told council that
some time ago the finance committee
was authorized to employ counsel to
assist the corporation attorney III
the suit and it employed Attorney
John M. Johnson.
IN the last ten days he said MI.
Johnson had withdrawn from the case
and for this reason the committee
had asked for specia! meeting IN
order to have it authorized to EN-.
nIoy other counsel. He said ne bellev-
cd it would cost the city, at least,
500 more or about 5000. He hoped
council would pass the resolution IL
il wished the case proceeded with.
Councilman Brumback, desired to
know what had been done in the case
thns Far. Councilman Bryan told him
that the corporation attorney haa
stated that the papers had been pre-
6arica bat nvA sfscl.. d5--@ Mr. FisE!e:.ss tn,
said, asked him if he should proceed
with the case, and he said ne told
him he was not authorized to say
Mr. Brumback sard it seemed as
if the city's interest had been woe
fully neglected. Action in the matter
was taken several months ago, ne
thought, and the time for collecting
taxes was now at hand, and ne added
that it looked like it was too late,
Mr.. Brumback, suggested getting
someone to attend to the case and pay
for it.
Councilman Bryan said he thought
the object of the mandamus was to
compcl the commissioner Of revenue
to simply put the property in the an
ncxcd territory on the books for tan
alton.
On this point President Smith said
he thought Councilman Bryan was
right.
Councilman Brockett said, that it
did seem that considerable time had
elapsed since the city council order
ed the proceedings instituted. Why it
was not done he said he did not know
Mr.. Johnson. he said, was of the op-
inion that the city was entitled to the
taxes, and he disliked to see him with
draw from the case. Continuing, he
said: 'I notice the words ito assist the
corporation attorney" He said that
all knew the corporation attorney had
been i'll. The delay may have been
caused by his illness. However, ne
added, that it does not seem neces-
sary to have. someone assist him IN
definitely. If well enough, he said
he should conduct the case without
assistance. He declared that the
finance committee should be given
broad latitute, and not pay two or
three fees in every case. Council ne
said, should get down and find out
where it stands from a legal point.
Councilman Brumoack said, that
council should cut out the corpora
tion attorney and retain counsel.
Councilman Bryan said the finance
committee does not want to assume
responsibility. He thought the reso-
luton presented was ali right.
Councilman Bales wanted TO know
if it would be legal to ignore the cor
poration attorney. The chair stated he
was not prepared to give legal op-
inion, but though it best to leave the
matter to the finance committee.
Councilman Bryan said the finance
committee had been indirectly in con-
ference with an attorney.
Councilman Lawler thought some
one should be obtained.
Councilman Brumback also fav-
ored immediate attention TO the mat
ter. Councilman Harrison. wantod