Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-03
CHANGESSOUGHT
IN TAXATION HERE
Columbia Heights Citizens AS
ISOLATION Recommends New
System for District.
SOME OPPOSITION ARISES

aeisHtS Cltlzens Association, which re
ported at meeting of the association
last night, in Post Office Hall, Parl
road near 18th street The commute,
has been considering the subject OF
taxation for several months, and its re
port last night was the feature of the
meeting.
In its report the committee recon-
mended:
The adjustment Of taxation of in
tangible property as well as the numer'
GUS occupational licenses and fees, the
exemption Of buildings and improve.
ments gradually from taxation up to 81
per cent of their value over a series OF
years. the securing Of annual assess.
ments as well as the naming Of true
considerations in deeds, the publication
OF assessment sheets and land plats by
the District, the appointment Of a sep.
arate board of tax appeals, the adoption
OF Iorrens land registration system as
wen as the principle Of excess condem.
nation.
In conclusion. it was declared that by
the adoption Of the above recommended
tions the District Of Columbia would
be progressing toward a more modern
and efficient system of taxation. and
VIII not only relieve industry and labor
from unnecessary taxes but will serve
as an example for other cities" It is
also added, Whatever is done in Wash
ineton' the capital Of the nation. is
looked upon as an example In other
parts Of the country"
Savors of Single Tax.
| Opposition was expressed to the rec
ommendation providing for the exemp-
ton OF buildings and improvements
gradually from taxation up to so Der
cent of their value over a series OF
years. several members declaring "It
has too much Henry George and single
| Idea tax in it."
| 1t was also pointed out that It would
work for the benefit of the pronrietoI
or costly structure and at the expense
OF the man of limited means owning
unimproved property adjacent.
a compromise was finally reached
Wnen the association voted to print the
report and place 1t in the hands of each
member. prior to and for final action
at the February meeting. This action
was entirely satisfactory to the mem
Ders OF the committee, who pointed out
eneir desire to have the fullest fnves-
| ugalon or the Recommendations
Taking up the question of taxation
| OF Intangible property. the report re-
| cites; 1T is unjust because 1t is inn
possible to find out with exactness the
the tax. 1t has a tendency to discour,
age the coming Of desirable residents
TO washington. and it puts a premium
ta n perjury s Jury and and deception The ideal
assessor without the necessity of seek
ing information from the owner. fhus
permitting opportunity for evasion and
| fraud" anu
occupationa1 Licenses Opposed.
There are about ffty-seven varieties
OF occupational licenses and fees in the
District' the report says, "and there is
no reason why florist or a laundry.
Tor example. should have to nav a fee
| Tor the privilege Of doing business in
the District of Columbia. We sbou,d
leave all legitimate businesses az free
ana unhampered as possible. so that a
| person can establish himself in any
business Dus.ness ne cares to with the least
taxes are simply added to the cost Of
the business and passed on to the ulti.
mate consumer. the small dealer helm
AZ disadvantage as compared with
me Nag. large dealer In this respect
,ngs ana improvements gradually from
taxation up to so per cent OF thei,
vaiue over series Of years. for ex.
mp the lG p pa. ssnt of each
| = ASu18A pan, which. IL Is
pointed out, has been in opration for
several years. until 80 per cent of the
assessment of building will be removeG
next year, 1t IL recited: 1T has Resulted
already IN many Of the big estates n
tnat city being cut up, and an Increase
IN the building Of small homes. the lan6
Deing purchased at q more reasonahle
inquire, due to the fact that as the he =
Is taken or buildings it is shifted fT
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-.
gardless OF improvements, and forcinc
those who are holding land for specu.
latfon to sell It at a more reasonabI
figure or use it."
| Attention is here called to the fact
that In Columbia Heights there are AT
least 1000 vacant lots being held large
ly for speculation. ''The value Of this
land" II is declared. 'is created by ali
OF the people living in the District of
| Columbia, and this value, or a large
part Of 1t, should be returned to the
community in the form of taxes an
| nually."
| Annual assessments, 1t is declared
| would enable the District assessor to
! give a more Just and equitable value to
land and enable him moro promptly to
| adjust any Inequalities due to increase
I or decrease in different parts of the
| city.
Aid to Assessor.