The Washington times., 1915-11-05
NEWMAN ASKS END
OF HALF,AND.HALF
Commissioner Also Answers
Charges Made by Herbert ].
Browne Against Assessor.
Continued from First PaseA

proper. The frst subject to which we
devoted attention after becoming identi-
fed with tho city government was the
assessment question.
"A reform which We considered most
essential was the reform in Assessment
methods and we determined that under
our administration the cause OF any lust
criticism should be removed,
The first thing we found was the law
OF Congress providing for three assist
ant assessors and directing that these
three assistant assessors should assess
all the real and improved property in
the District OF Columbia. This consisted
OF about 10000 parcels.
Most of the criticism has been d.
rected at the assessor. Mr.. Richards
As a matter OF fact he could not be
wholly responsible. for the assistant
assessors are responsible for at least
three-fourths OF the Sssessments In the
District. There are really four persons
responsible for assessments instead OF
one. Mr.. Richards is head Of the office.
but he Is also required to 1clate as
tho chairman Of the board OF eoualiza-
ton and review which comprises the
three assistant assessors who handle
the real property and the two assessors
handling personal properly"
Commissioner Newman said he and
Commissioner Siddons were convinced
assessments were not being properly
made.
Had To Get New Board.
They were confronted, he added. with
the necessity OF getting a new board.
At the time. he explained, the House
District Committee was conducting an
Investigation OF assessment methods,
and the Commissioners made an ar
rangemcnt whereby they were furnished
with original transcripts OF tho District
Committee testimony before II went to
the Government Printing Office. In this
way they kept In close touch with the
progress of the inquiry.
Following this investigation. said Mr..
Newman. one assistant assessor tender
ed his resignation. and william l.. Beaie
was appointed in his place. A second
assessor was removed from office. and
was succeeded by +. W. Oyster. which
gave the present administration ma
jority OF the assistant assessors.
Commissioner Siddons and called In
all the ASSESSORS. including Mr.. Rich
ards" continued Mr.. Newman. and
gave specific instructions to begin anew
on the 1915 assessment. which was then
und"r way. This assessment had to be
In by January /. 1914. and only four
months remained to complete It.
Our instructions were that the asses
sors should seek to find out what the
values were. regardless OF the claims
or Mr.. Browne. in the George report.
or the 1912 assessment. We told them
To give their principal attention TO the
business district. to consider as next
in Importance the high-class residential
areas. und then to turn to the so-called
speculative areas In the suburban sec
tions.
Disclaims Responsibility.
We disclaim any responsibility for
the acts OF the assessors In 1912. For
the acts OF the Board of Assessors in
1915 we take full reponsibility. II there
is any criticism Of the 1915 assessment
Il should be directed at the Board OF
Commissioners just as much as at any,
one else.
Commissioner Newman said that T..