The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-12-04
D. &. Commissioners
Hit Tax in Report
on City's Needs H.
Continued from First PageJ

places q burdensome cost on the de-
velopment of the newer sections of
the District which was not borne
in previous years by older sections
of the city which did not bear any
assessment for paving roadways.
THE Commissioners feel the law
In inequitable. and they again state
their belief that some new legisla-
ton should be enacted which would
remove the inequalities Of the pres
ent law"
Finances Are Splendid. ,
After reviewing the receipts and
expenditures OF the District govern
ment during the fiscal year, the
Commissioners advise Congress that
the District Is in splendid financial
condition, with an Indebtedness of
only $l56,234.3S and surplus reve-
nues In the Treasury Of $500. 951.5S.
The cash receipts OF the District
for the fiscal year amounted to
S23, l04,79S.60. made up as follows:
Revenue of the District from taxes
and miscellaneous sources. 1921
0Ob.62: amount paid by the United
States on account OF it's proportion
OF appropriations, $9,1S7,792.9s.
The collections from taxes on
amounted to $S,431,1SO.23: collec-
tons from taxes on personal prop.
erty, including taxes on gross earn.
ings and receipts Of street railway
companies, $2,670,2S4.S2: and col.
iections from taxes on Intangible per-
sonal property. $949 ,05S. Collections
from miscellaneous sources, amount
Ing to 81 1855, 482.47. made up the
balance Of the Districts revenue.
The cash balance to the credit of
the general fund Of the District in
the Treasury on June 80, 1922
amounted to $7.579.677.5S and to
the credit Of trust and special
funds, 1852, 127.72. In addition to
these amounts balances as shown
by the accompanying statements
were held to the credit of the dis
bursting officer of the District with
the Treasurer of the United States.
Bonds Due Next Year.
The Commissioners remind that
the 50-year period for which the
1865 bonds were issued, the issue
being limited by law to $15, 200, 900
will expire August /, 1924. The
sinking fund assets, represented en-.
tirely by Investments in bonds of
the United States, will nearly be
sufficient TO take up the outstand.
ing 3.65 bonds, although a further
appropriation not exceeding $780,.
600 may be required for this pur-
pose. the amount Of the appropria-
tlon depending entirely upon the
be sold.
The biennial assessment of real
estate. the Commissioners advise in
their report, which is to be COM
pleted by the three assistant as.
SCISSORS by January 1. 1923. will be
open to inspection and review from
the first Monday in January to the
first Monday in June, 1928.
Motor vehicle tags with a total
OF 7,015 represent more than one
half Of the grand total Of $751;
iSO.2S collected during the year for
licenses. This tota. shows a net in
crease of $70.130.11 over the same
period last year.
Several decisions of considerable
Importance to the District were
handed down by the Court OF Ap-
peals and the United States Supreme
Court during the year.
The most important of these was
the case of United States VS.. More
land, in which the United States
oupTtHlt SOuTt Hclu tHdt tlc
Juvenile court could not sentence a
man to hard labor in the workhouse
for nonsupport without an indict-
ment by n grand jury.
The same court. in the case of
Head ct al vs.. the District, Upheld
the intangible tax Law Of the Dis
trict.
The Court Of Appeals, in the case
of Security Savings and Commercial
Bank ys, TIE District held that
tax against the banks earnings.
which included interest on certain
non .taxable Federal Government
bonds, was lawful.
II was a.so held by this court. in
the case of Knox ct al VS.. Commits
sioners. that agricultural property
could not be assessed for roadway
improvements under the 'so-called
Borland amendment.
Urge Personal Injury Law.
The enactment of special stat.
ute of notice and limitations in per-
sonal injury cases. such as exists In
other cities, Is again recommended,
the Commissioners advise In their
report. Such n law, they declare,
works no injustice to the person
injured and will result In the saw
ing of many dollars to the District.
|. In commenting upon the fire loss
ratio for the District the Commits
sioners show that the 80 40 per
cent loss ratio to premiums shown
| in the above schedule for the year
| 1921 Is 10 per cent higher than
| for the previous year.
The Commissioners commend the
new marine insurance act and state
they believe when the law is under
stood a great many companies will
take out charters and become DOM
iciled In the District, thereby In.
creasing the revenues as well as the
work OF the insurance department.
A total OF 46,85S inspections OF
weighing and measuring apparatus
| of various kinds. an Increase OF
| IL 1888 over the past year, Is noted.
| The Increase was due In q large
measure to the new weights and
measures law which became oper.
alive last year.
| Seek Moro Fairgrounds.
Dire need in the District, Of per
manent and adequate Fairgrounds
which has been pressed from time
to time is stressed by the Com.
missioners who urge corrective
legislation from Congress. Submit.
4 A. q