The Washington times., 1917-01-03
Columbia Heights Citizens Hear
Plea for Broader Recre-
alton Facilities.
TAX PROBLEMS DISCUSSED
Gradual Exemption Of Improve
ments Leads to Spirited
Argument.

Swimming pools and gymnasiums
in all siXteen-room school buildings
were advocated by Prof Robert L.
Haycock. supervising principal of
the third division, in an informal talk
to members OF the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association last night.
Another important question dis
cussed was the necessity OF revising
the District tax laws. A report of q
special taxation committe contain
ing recommendations for abolish
ing taxation of intangible prop
erty, abolishing occupational taxes,
and exempting buildings and improve
ment gradually from taxation, went
over for month when objection was
raised to the single tax features Of
the last-named proposal.
In urging that swimming pools ard
gymnasium be provided in all the
larger public graded schools, Prin-
cipal Haycock argued that these ia
cilities were necessary to supplement
the work OF the Fairgrounds.
should Broader Recreation.
while Developing the sixteen-room
school building for a community cen
ter" Mr.. Haycock said, 1--WE should
do more for the boys and girls OF
adolescent age. The Easements of
our schools are the part the archi-
tects should study the most.
"If the Powell School had a gym
nasium and swimming pool it would
keep the boys and girls off Four.
teenth street A community library
makes a reading room for boys and
girls in the evenings"
Crowded conditions in the schools
OF the third division, which comprises
the area from Florida avenue to the
District line, and from Rock Creek
Park to the Soldiers Home, were out
lined by Principal Haycock. He ad-
vocated general adoption Of the six
teen-room school as a substitute for
the eight-room building in all future
construction.
schools Overcrowded.
In some of the schools there are
forty to fifty pupils for each teacher,
while some teachers have as many |
as f1fty-f1ve pupils. The ideal num- !
Der, he believed, was somewhere be- |
tween thirty and thirty-five. In pri- |
vate schools there are from fifteen 10 |
twenty pupils to a teacher. Prof. |
Haycock urged a coaching teacher, |
unassigned, to give individual treat
ment to the backward pupil.
In bringing the taxation question
before the association, a special COM
mittee. of which w. /. Swanton was
chairman, submitted lengthy report
with nine recommendations, which
were designed to reduce the number
of burdensome taxes and to simplify
the methods OF assessment and taxa
ton.
Taxation Recommend /
The nine recommendations were:
First, to abolish the taxation of in
tangible property. Thio tax. the re-
port said. could not be properly en-
forced because the amount of property
to be taxed could not be definitely as
certained, it discouraged the coming Of
desirable residents to Washington, and
1t put a premium on perjury and de-
ception."
Second, to abolish the "fifty-seven va
rfeties" of occupational licenses and
fees. leaving legitimate business free
and unhampered.
Third, to exempt buildings and i'm
provements gradually from taxation, up
to 50 per cent of their value over a
series Of years The Pittsburgh plan.
which has been In operation for several
years until 30 per cent Of the assess
ment Of building will be removed next
year, was favored. In Pittsburgh big
estates have been cut up, the report
said, because the purchase of this land
at a more reasonable figure has been
possible due TO the fact that as the
tax is taken off buildings II Is shifted
10 land values, thus tending to relieve
labor and the products of labor from
burdensome taxes. and placing more
Of the taxes on the value of land re-
yardless of improvements. and forcing
hose who are holding for speculation
10 sell at a more reasonable figure or
Use 1t"
To Adjust Inequalities.
Fourth. annual assessments OF
property to enable the earlier adjust
nent of inequalities.
Fifth. true consideration in deeds.
Sixth, publication OF assessment
sheets and land plats by the District. I
instead of by private individuals, to
,bviate mistakes now made.
Seventh. appointment of a special /
BOARD of tax appeals. on the theory
hat tax disputes should not be ad-
listed by the same men who fix the
axes, but by third party or body.
Eighth, adoption of the Torrens
and registration system by which
he District would guarantee land G
tiles. This would save the District
500, coo a year. the committee held.
Ninth. adoption of the plan OF eX- G
ess condemnation which would en- v
BILE the government to acquire land !
djoining an area to be improved. S
There were no objections raised to S