Evening star., 1918-12-02
Commissioners Estimate Increase Population Due War @ Per Gent

Of Columbia, which said space 10 oc-
cupted' or used in connection with
the business of said users" the total
fiscal year ended June 80, 1913,
amounted to S4.5s2.4ss and the
amount for rental to $23,1sS.47.
Licenses.
On July 1. 1917. the license bureau
was created by the District Of Column
bia appropriation act for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1918, which pro-
yided that all the authority, duties,
discretion and powers now vested by
law in the assessor Of the District of
Columbia with respect to licenses and
the issuance thereof shall. on and
after July 1. 1917, be transferred to
and vest in the superintendent OF
The act mentioned above also pro-
vided that ION and after December
81. 1917, all licenses, including identi-
fication tags and registrations, for
motor vehicles heretofore granted
shall expire and become null and
void, and prescribed schedule of
fees to be imposed on and after jan
uary l, 1918. This act omitted to
provide for prorating fees for motor
vehicle tags. which leave owners of
months when the tag will be in use
a portion of the year. The prorating
of motor vehicle tag fees is in force
in practically all Of the states. 1t is
recommended THAT ifees for motor
vehicle tags be prorated quarterly on
year.
One hundred and sixty-four licenses
for the sale of alcohol by druggists
for medical purposes and to manu-
facturers of alcoholic liquor for sale
tc licensed druggists under an act to
alcoholic liquors in rhe District of
Columbia, and for other purposes.
approved March 3. 1917, called the
Sheppard law" were issued. result
ing in the collection of s1.730. Dur
ing the fiscal year there was collected
from motor vehicle tags $1k2.816;
operators permits. sa3,620:, licenses,
S105,859.26. and steam engineer Ii
censes. ,$135. .-.-, q.
Collection Of Taxes.
The details of the collections of the
District revenues for the fiscal year
1913 are set forth in the report of the
collector OF taxes transmitted here
with, but a classified abstract Of the
receipts and other financial affairs
Of the District government Is made
a part of this summary report under
the head of, Finance" for greater
During the Sixty-fifth Congress. a
bin. Senate 4521 and H. r. l.0s5.
entitled "A bill to provide an addi-
tional method for enforcing and fore
closing tax sales and tax deeds In
the District of Columbia. and for
J,,fr
the instance of the Commissioners, to
enable the holders of tax titles OF
real estate to go into a court OF
equity and seek settlement. where all
parties concerned may present their
claims and have them adjudicated
preclude willful evasion OF tax pay
ments. as too many delinQuents are
willing to take such advantage OF
any defect of the law for their own
advantage.
Disbursing Office.
The disbursing office expended dur.
ing the fiscal year 1918 the total sun
of s12,242.003.51.
The total number Of checks ISSUED
in payment of contracts, supplies. sal
aries paid by check, etc. was 102.658
an increase of 1,448 over the preced.
ing year.
The number of vouchers upon which
checks and cash were disbursed was
24.671. The number of cash payments
as fees to witnesses and jurors, etc.
was over 5000.
More than 5000 checks, the majority
of which were mailed, were disbursef
to abandoned wives and nonsupporte6 ed
wives and children, and 4.719 checks
were paid to beneficiaries Of the police
and firemen's relief fund.
Purchasing Office.
Through this office are purchased ali
supplies. stores, materials, and equip.
ment required for the various divis
sions of the District government
was experienced in obtaining prompt
deliveries of materials and supplies
purchased, due to abnormal conditions
and the overlooking of mills and fac
tories with orders for supplies neces-
sary for the carrying on of the war
No serious embarrassment resulted
therefrom. In general, the District
in this respect Jared better than might
have been expected, considering the
large volume of materials bought
The total expenditures for the year
ending June 80, 1918, amounted to
S2.333.340.20 for supplies and ma
terials. as follows:
Agricultural supplies .......... Ss,552. Is
Books playground. athletic and
kindergarten supplies. 1894. .ee
Construction materials used in
sewer. street. road, water main
and building work. ........... 6ss, 1926. 81
Dry goods, boots and shoes. ...... 55, ,532. II
Drugs chemicals, hospital, bac-
plies 2e,o2e. 81
Electrical supplies ............. 80, 431 .Se
Eggs ;..........:........:. 7,46O.64
and ash .::.....:.....:... 174.s Z,
Forage, including livery, horseshoe -
ing and aaddlery 110 Q2Q ar