Evening star., 1915-11-09
Opposes Rigid Taxation Rate.

dnd-nal1 plan with the present tWo-
rate of taxation?"
Opposes Rigid Taxation Rate.
Mr.. Richards replied that he was not
in favor of rigid rate of taxation.
Representative Cooper asked Mr.
Richards if there was not always
temptation under the existing plan for
District assessors to undervalue prop
erty here. thus putting the larger bur
den on the taxpayers throughout the
country in the matter of the upkeep of
the capital.
There could he an opportunity for
such a thing said Mr.. Richards, but
do not think that any such thing has
been done by assessors in recent years,
at all events"
But there was before?" asked Mr..
Cooper.
1t is apparent. as I have shown. that
there was an liberalization in earlier
years" was Mr.. Richards reply.
How much did the taxes raised in
the District last year exceed the one
half of the expenses which the Dis
trict taxpayers are compelled to pay
under the half-and-half pian?" asked
Senator Works
About 100000 answered Mr. Rich
ards.
To that extent, therefore" said Sem
ator works, the assessment was un-
the citizens of the District"
Mr. Richards took up the discussion
OF the assessment of 1915
The board of assessors attempted
70 MAKE fair valuations" he said "All
the old figures of previous assessment
were cast aside. New sales were con-
sidered in arriving at conclusions"
Did you take into considerati-n the
amount which would be needed under
the half-a and-half plan." persisted Sem
ator Works.
NO. sir" said Mr. Richards.
Increase in Business Section.
He showed that the assessment in
the business section had been increased
10 about ss3.000.0O0 on the two-tbtrds
basis, or on an actual value of
s94.000,000 He commented on the fart
that II the figures given by Herber, 7
Browne were correct this should have
been s164. 100000.
Mr.. Richards said the board of as
SCISSORS had worked very hard over the
assessments. A large number of an
Dsals had been made from the assess
1nents' he said. as many as one-half
the property owners in A single SQUARE
making appeals.
AT what time are the estimates for
the District appropriations made up?"
asked Senator Works.
been made after the assessments had
been completed
Can you take the estimates Of the
Commissioners for the appropriations
for the District and determine what
the assessment should be to raise the
half which the District must nsvo',
asked Senator Works.
Mr. Richards pointed out that the as
sessnents, after being completed, could
not be changed by law to meet the
varying appropriations each year
Commissioner Brownlow interrupted
TO say that under the law of 1903 the
District Commissioners are limited in
making their estimates for aruropria-
tions to twice the amount of the estt-
mated revenues from the assessment of
taxks.
Estimates Based on Assessment,
Then" said Senator Works, "the es-
Inmates for District expenditures are
based on the assessment, not the as
sessment on the estimates for expend-
hures?"
Senator Salisbury said this virtually
resulted in allowing the board of as
SCISSORS to fix the estimates of the Com
missioners for the District expend-
itures.
Commissioner Brownlow said this wa.
the law.
TT ought not to be the law" said
Senator Works.