The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-11-11

Of life.
time after time on the floor Of the
House and Senate as an evidence of the
complete manner in which sworn tesu-
mony, based on careful examination, had
proven the general discrimination by the
assessor against the poorer class OF
homes and in favor OF the wealthy land
holders.
Clashes between Col worthington and
Mr.. Browne were frequent and fiery.
Shortly before adjournment Mr.. Browne
requested permission from the commit
tee to read them some figures which, he
felt sure, would work for the enlight-
eminent of Col Worthington and the sat-
isfaction of the committee"
I'm glad you put II that way" re-
marked Col. worthington shortly. I'm
dead sure you can't satisfy me-"
Il put it the way I knew 1t would
stick" returned Mr.. Browne.
Doyle Not Prepared.
Harold E. Doyle. real estate assess
ment expert of the Thomas ]. Fisher
Co, was called to the stand by Col.
Worthington. The sensational charges
of Embarrassment on business prop
erty as carried in the George report
were alleged to have been supported
very largely by Mr.. Doyle's testimony.
Yesterday Mr.. Doyle testified. in brief.
as follows:
That he had been called to the stand
by the George committee unexpectedly
and asked to testify as to the value
OF properties without preparation.
That his opinions under these circum-
stances were off-hand. and given in ig-
norance Of the use to which they were
going to be put and the necessity for
absolute accuracy.
That he had not been permitted to
see or correct the stenographic tran
script OF the testimony SO given. and
there were many clerical errors in il.
That in certain cases where he had
placed values only for corner proper
/ ties, and not for adjoining half squares
he has BEEN placed by the committee
in the false position OF having quoted
corner prices on pieces to which he
had made no reference.
That he had not been questioned
about the value of Friendship" al
Though he had recently made a large
sale of property near that estate at
1900 an acre.
Says It's Overnssessed.
Mr. Doyle was Intercepted as to the
relation between the basis Of the asses
I sor's valuation OF northwest suburban
areas and the selling price He declared
| that he would not like to make a very
definite statement without an opportunity
| to examine the matter. but expressed his
belief that the property was largely over
| assessed.
You don't think this real estate de-
preston will continue. do you?' queried
! Senator Works.
Il hope not, but II probably will for
two or three years"
What do you think is the cause Of the
\ depression"
well. local people seem to blame It or
! the Democratic administration"
II suppose that is because of the Dem.
ocratic attempt to get honest assessments
hers and the failure to do So" suggested
Representative Rainey.
There have been several bills in Con-
gress which indiC4te that District real
estate'is not a safe investment" declared
Doyle.
Were they not attempts to get honest
| assessments?'
Not necessarily; taXa the Plaza con-
4 domination case as an instance"
A little later Representative Gard re-
turned to the charge Of responsibility
lodged against the Democrats.
II suppose" he suggested, you eN-
pressed only your own opinion when you
blamed the Democratic party for the de-
preston in real estate values"
That is my opinion. I do not believe
we should blame the Democratic party
too severely. They are not around here
as often as the other party" whereat
committee, counsel and spectators Joined
in the laugh.
| Mr.. Browne questioned Doyle very
closely upon the relation Of the as
SCISSORS valuation of Massachusetts
Heighths property to the price at which
It was held in 1911. Mr. Doyle pointed
out that the assessors survey consider.
ed only the condition OF the ground al
that time, while the asking price in
cluded extensive changes and improve.
ments which would remove the property
to an entirely different classification.
1 The property was in very raw acreage
Of hills and hollows in 1911, when tn,
assessment referred to in the George re
port was made" explained Mr.. Doyle
''The property, prior to its development
| was, OF course, assessed as acreage prop
erty. But In planning the development
| and issuing our advertising matter we
Of course. included in our asking prics
the very extensive improvements contem
plated, and which have since been made
and which are taken into consideration
in the next subsequent assessment. tina
| of Isl4-15."
| Under questions by Col worthington
/ IOsic save a uHl Vi TtCGnI sales
which showed that the assessed valuation
on the lots, subsequent to the improve
ment and under the present assessment
has in every case been greater than tn,
| selling price.
Riddles Georges Report.
| At the morning session Thomas Brad
| ley. real estate officer of the Washington
Loan and Trust Company and secretary
of the subcommittee on taxation ant
assessment Of the joint citizens commit.
tee, concluded his work of Kidding the
| specifio<instances Of Embarrassment Of
| business property mentioned In the
George report These are the same fig.
ures the genesis of which Col. worthing-
ton tried unsuccessfuliy to establish In
his examination Of Mr.. Browne In the
afternoon. The effect of Mr.. Bradley
statements was to seriously discredit the
motive behind Mr. Brownies statistics, in
addition to discrediting the accuracy of
the figures to such an extent that mem.
bers of the committee limited broadly a
belief that some one had imposed upon
Congress In the past or was seeking to
impose upon. the committee itself. or
both. 80
Mr.. Bradley referred. also. to the
g. ~