The Washington times., 1915-11-17


TO the half-and-half agitation. Some
or IL may be due to the general de-
preston throughout the country
We fear here an increase OF
taxes. We fear the impression has
spread IN Congress that we are under
assessed here and this impression has
peeh gained on misinforma tion."
william d. Hoover.
William ID. Hoover. banker:
Iestihed In general regarding prop
erty values. Said he regarded the tax
iats mere as fair. but said he believed
instances Of over-assessment and un-
uer-assessment would be found. Ad-
mitted 1t was difficult for n small
assessing board to keep track Of fuc-
tuaung values under a trienniai sssess-
ihent system.
Willism Nick. Clayton.
william Nick. Clayton. of the Fedora
t.n f Citizens As.ociations
Auvocated Board OF Commissioners
consisting Of Ave members. two to be
one assigned from the army, 1.-THE haif-
and-half principle should not be abol-
ished; it would prove disastrous here"
ne added. He strongly urged District
representation In Congress.
Charles Z. Marsh.
Charles Il. Marsh. secretary Of the
feal Estate Title Insurance Company:
PRODUCED figures to disprove certain
property values cited in George report
ana Browne brief. offered as witness
oy Joint citinons' committee for this OBJ
Ject and not as opponent or proponent
OF half-and-half principle.
Former Senator Blackburn.
Former Senator J. c. 8. Blackburn.
father of the organic act OF 1878:
In SuDDOrtinR the I IL
pIsn. he said: Il believe the partner
snip between the District and the United
states ought to be dissolved. The law
OF 1873 has stood the test for more
longer than I thought II would and has
worked better than ! thought II would.
mas never been the policy Of the
United states Government to 40 into
parthership with anyone. 1t does not
even patronize private insurance COM
fire.
Il think that Congress should fix a
iair rate Of taxation to be paid by the
people residin. within the District and
this rate should be liked without the
slightest regard to the fact that this Is
the Capital of the nation. I believe
these taxes should be collected and
turned into the Treasury. and that every
penny Tor the maintenance. develop
ment. ornamentation. and extension Of
The National Capital should be appro-
priated by Congress directly out OF the
Treasury.
the amount Of the appropriation and
the amount of taxes raised here"
Associate Justice Siddons.
Associate Justice Frederick L. SD
dons. Of the District Supreme Court,
former District Commissioner:
I believe Commissioner Brownlow
mas suggested the wise course TO pur-
sue. Even before reading Commissioner
Brownlow's statement ! was much i'm
pressed BY the resolution offered by
senator Works.
Il have no wish TO pass Judgment
on past legislation. nor on the citizens
OF the District, but | do wish to say
that for tho last thirty years the half
and-half plan has been the cause Of
irritation. and there never has been
proposal to spend money when It Is
not In evidence.
Il believe the effect has been unfor~
tunate. because time and again II has
prevented needed improvements being
provided for.
There are several other reasons
why II has worked harm. 1t has had
has hampered the Commissioners in
making up estimates. and It has
affected the attitude OF Congress In
approaching such estimates. More
over. II Ia clear TO those who have been
here some time that the time has now
arrived when the plan produces sur
plus Of revenue"
w. H. Saunders.
W. ii. Saunders. real estate operator.
Urged the retention OF the existing
hscal arrangement. Said the present
tax rate IL fair provided the assess
ments are just. but there were many
. Instances Of over-asse ssments We
have the name hero Of being n rich
city Mr.. Saunders continued. II
don't know how that impression has
come about ! have not the figures at
hand. but believe the average salary
here is lower than that OF the expert
workman. The cost OF living Is high.
Four-fifths OF the homes owned in
Washington by saIaried men are mort
gagged. and these are carried at a great
| disadvantage. and many times cannot
be renewed because of depreciation OF
the property.
There are comparatively few rich
| people here. The average fine homes
here are fewer than in other cities
l though there are few palatial ones
that attract attention
Jesse l.. HeiskelI.
Jesse l.. Heiskell. real estate operator:
THE threat to abolish the half-and-
half arrangement has crea ted unsettled
| conditions here. has resulted in distrust
has depressed property values. and dis
couraged investment BY capital. The
single tax idea Is rampant in the as
SCISSORS Office. These high assessment
values are especially rampant regarding
any property In the outlying sections
Edwin c. Brandenburg.
Edwin C, Brandenburg, president OF
the Board OF Trade:
Made a plea that the District be rep,
resented In Congress in order that that
body might be kept abreast of the needs
| Of the District Of Columbia. Declared
II an anomaly that the Democrats and
Republicans here send delegate to the
national conventions and YET vote /" "
elections. Approved OF The half-and-
half plan. and explained that the Board
OF Trade Is a representative body.
Evans H. Tucker.
Evans II. Tucker, president of the
Northeast Washington Citizens Asso
ciation:
Advocated "home rule" In the District
! and supported the existing nscal ar.
rengemcnt Alleged that the develop.
ment OF the northeast section of the
city has been neglected, but said that II
the half-and-half plan were abolished
conditions probably would he worse
Said Mr. Blackburn was right in saying