Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-22
ALLEGES INADEQUATE
POLICE PROTECTION
President of East Washington Cit.
zens' Association Enters Wig
orous Protest.
Question Discussed by Members.
Inequalities in District Taxation
Also Topic at Meeting.

DR.. Charles NJ. Emmons, president Of
East Washington Citizens Association
at meeting of that organization held
last night in Donohoe's Office, 314 Penn
sylvania avenue southeast. entered g
vigorous complaint against the al
legged Inadequate police protection af-
forded the people Of East Washington
There are only two men on duty al
night in an area containing 10000 in
habirants, he said, and only fourteen in
the entire southeast section.
DIR. Emmons cited an instance of al
intruder being discovered by occupants
of house one night last week, and
calls for a policeman failed to bring q
response. The intruder got away, he
said In another instance, he continued
the assailants of a colored boy were
driven off by citizens who were unable
to get police assistance.
Demands of Federal Government.
Charles A. Shields complained that
District policemen are required to do
so much work for the federal govern
ment that the residents of the city are
policemen are detailed at the foreign
legations when they should be on
duty elsewhere.
Resident property owners" he de-
clared, "are entitled to just as much
protection as the legations, but do not
get it,
Dr. Emmons spoke of the number of
policemen taken from the streets to
attend White House and other recep-
lions, weddings in the families of Of
ficials and social functions. He also
alleged a violation of the rule reauir-
ing police and fire surgeons to reside
in the district in which they perform
professional service.
"Firemen and policemen residing in
Anacostia and Southeast Washington,
he stated, "have to go four miles to
consult their surgeon
Resolutions Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Shields the associa-
ton adopted resolution asking the
Commissioners to have the surgeon in
charge of the southeast section reside
within the boundaries of his district
and a resolution offered by John H
Adrians urging that police work be
confined to District work also was
adopted.
A resolution 1aVOTinS the enactment
of law giving pawnbrokers the right
to charge per cent on loans of $50 OF
less and per cent on larger loans was
debated by James NJ. Wood. Mr.. Shields
James l.. Parsons and others. 1t was
referred to the executive committee.
President Emmons said the question
of equaliZing taxes is one that soon
will claim the attention of Congress
and he suggested that it would be well
for the association to take it up and
make certain recommendations.
The present tax on real estate. de-
clared Mr.. Shields, is fully s1.000,00O
too high. DIR. Emmons suggested that a
fixed rate of taxation should be estab-
lished, and that the rental or sale val
ue of real estate should be considered.
Such a method of taxation. he said.
would have tendency to build up the
suburban section.
And it would put an end to specula-
tors holding such property at one price
and have it taxed at another" he added
Says Property Is Underasssesed.
DR.. Emmons said there was some
hotel property in this city which is un-
derassessed. and which would yield
much more taxes under an equal tax
plan, and Mr.. Shields added that real
estate always has to bear the brunt
when additional taxes are wanted.
James l.. Parsons said he was able to
recall one building that was assessed
for $4,000 more than the cost of con-
struction. The question will be con-
sidered by the executive committee.