Evening star., 1915-11-10
Thomas Bradley Disputes the
Accuracy of Testimony
Given by H. J. Browne.
SHOWS LOCAL REALTY
IS NOT UNDERASSESSED
Statement Made Before Joint Select
Committee of Congress on U. S.
District Fiscal Relations.

uSureS OF lh6 I0OISe SUI
committee report on assessment and tax
alton in the District of Columbia, alleging
great underassessnent, was started before
the joint select committee Of Congress in
vestigating the fiscal relations between
the United States and the District Of
Columbia late yesterday, when Thomas
Bradley of the joint citizens committee
took the stand. Mr.. Bradley's tables and
figures showed that many of the state
ments in the hearings preceding the
George report, and much of the testi-
mony by H. j. Browne, chief witness for
Representative Henry George. jr., and his
single tax scheme were based on mis-
understanding and Misrepresentation. to
say the least. Mr.. Bradley's figures nddled
the idea that there is any substantiation
for the broad claim that the city's real
estate was underassessed, and the proof
to Offset the George report was presented
In detailed and scientific FORM
Explanation by Col. Worthington.
The purpose of Mr. Bradley's testimony
was explained by Col Worthington, who
said:
"Mr. Herbert J. Browne was asked by
Representative George to go to title COM
panies and get cases that would be
typical, showing actual sales as compared
with the assessed values, and he pro-
duced a list Of some thirty-odd cases.
which we say, in the first place. were
selected for the purpose of showing par
ticular cases where the assessment was
too low as compared with the sales. in
stead of getting typical cases, or on an
average; that as to most Of those, whom
you examine them, you will find they were
-sAA
forced sales, or trades, or something Of
that kind"
DO you think that is of any great
Importance to this committee?" asked
Senator Works. TT has been pretty
well demonstrated by the later assess
ments of the assessor that those were
too low. 1t seems to be an undisputed
fact, almost, that they, and a great
many other pieces Of property, have
been underassessed. l do not think
it will have great deal to do with
the determination Of this question as
time. except that I suppose you are
using it for the purpose Of discrediting
the George report. That Is about all
it will amount to-
Attacks the Ultimate Results,
I'VE are using it for the purpose of
showing that the ultimate figure"
answered Mr.. Worthington, which
was arrived at in the George report
as to the value of the property in
this District, and especially of the
real estate. was a gross exaggeration,
and we think that it is important be-
cause the statement was made on the
floor of the House that those figures
were correct; that they mad been DEM
onstrated and there could not be any
question about it, and it was accepted
as proof and accepted by everybody
in Congress to be true.
1T was cited not only on the floor
of the House as being the ultimate re-
suit of our valuations that could not
be disputed, but on the floor of the
Senate. also, using the House figures.
And that impression must remain on
the minds of members of Congress that
allowed to demonstrate that it was
grossly exaggerated and a very great
injury to the District"
Il think it was said," Senator Works
replied. that the only purpose or effect
here is to demonstrate the Incorrect
ness and inaccuracy Of the GeorTe re- re-
port. The question as to whether the
property was actually under-assessed
or not seems to have been pretty well
settled by the last assessment, and that,
l understand, you are not attacking"
1--WE do not admit the correctness Of
the last assessment by any means" Mr.
Worthington said.
DO you propose to follow this by
showing that those particular assess
ments that Mr.. Bradley is now oues-
tioning are too high at the present
time?'
TOO high at the present time" re-
piled Mr.. Worthington.
Mr.. Brownies Interjection.
H. J. Browne interjected to say:
Mr.. Chairman, since this seems to be
a direct statement, I think 1t Is proper
to call attention to the fact that on
pages Is and 10 of the George report.
running to page 20. two pages of ma
terial are given to showing that the
wider than the narrow lines of few
records obtained from the title COM
panies."
You will have an opportunity, Mr..
Browne, ii you want 1t, to go into those
matters, and to take them up" said
Senator Works.
II was trusting that that matter was
to be excluded. 1t looked like Pan
dora's box to me-
II do not wonder that you wanted it
excluded" Mr.. Worthington said.
Mr.. Bradley's Statement.
Mr.. Bradley. in opening his detailed
in the George report, said:
'The report of assessment of real
estate in the District of Columbia, COM
monty called the Henry George, jr.,
report has been widely circulated in
the capital and throughout the coun-
try. We find it has been accepted in
many quarters as Indicative of the true
situation in the District of Columbia.
The report Is mainly based upon tes-
timony which is contrary to the actual
facts and conditions as to taxation and
assessment in the District of Colum-
bia- The committee has deemed it ad-
visable to call specific attention to
large number. of erroneous statements
made in this. report, which show that
its conclusions are, as a whole. unwar-
would do great injustice and harm to
the 100000 residents of the District of
Columbia.
"Mr. Herbert j. Browne was directed by
this committee to examine the files of
the title insurance companies.
I'VE emphasize this because we felt
that the report was based largely on
this testimony. You have the hearings
there, I think. on page 3S1 is list of
these properties. which show, first, the
assessment and then the price at which
the records of the Title Trust Com
pany," and any question as to our state
ment can very easily be proved by
bringing those records into this COM
mittee room and examining them here.
Cases Discussed.
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