Evening star., 1925-12-07

household effects. jewelry, vehicles,
amounting to 81 1893, ,6S5.92; second, a
tax on the gross earnings of banks,
trust companies and public service
companies, to the amount of $1,732,-
329.65, and, third, intangible personal
property. such as stocks and bonds,
81 ,050. .530.94.
Assessor Richards recommends in
| the report that the time for filing per-
sonal tax returns be changed from
July to May of each year. This not
only would give the assessors more
time to prepare bills for payment in
November, but would be more con-
venient for taxpayers.
Licenses Earn $372,707.
During the last fiscal year Wade II.
| CoombS, superintendent of licenses,
collected a total of $372,707.97 in fees,
! including auto license tags and the
various miscellaneous business per-
mitS.
Under the heading of the Insura ance
| Department, the report states that
every assurance has been given that
the coming session of Congress will
enact the proposed new insurance
code for the District, which failed in
| the last Congress.
the National Fraternal Congress of
America is sponsoring Il new fraternal
law for the District, and it is expected
this also will be introduced early in
the session.
In chapter devoted to the public
school system the Commissioners re-
port that 72 ,967 children were enrolled
last year, 1917 white, and 23,250
colored. Congress last year took
steps to meet the long standing need
of the school system for more build
ings by launching the tive-year build
ing program.
Referring to the work of the Fire
Department, the Commissioners say
they are gratiffed TO report that the
fire loss again was reduced during
the last fiscal year. The total eSti-
mated loss of SS37, 1856 was a decrease
of $lS4, 235 from the loss of the preced-
ing year.
Department Is Praised.
THE department has continued its
firepreVention work, and the reduc-
ton in fire loss may, it is believed, be
attributed in no small degree to this
agency. The usual inspection work
and supervision over the storage and
sale of highly inflammable materials
was maintained.
The last fiscal year marked the re-
tirement from service OF the last three
horses in the Fire Department, ending
a picturesque era in the history of
organized fire-fighting. The horse
has been completely replaced by the
less picturesque but more powerful
motor engine.
That the health conditions of the
city are good is indicated by the re-
port of the oHalth Department of a
decrease in the number of deaths last
year. The total number of deaths was
6,553, a decrease of $50. The number
of births was 1857. an increase Of
1928.
Appropriations to continue the build
| ing program at the Gallinger Munich
pal Hospital is the chief recommends
ton placed in the report by the Board
of Charities. which supervises chari-
! table and penal institutions.
Buildings Sorely Needed.
The new structures thus far erect
! ed have made suitable provision for
the psychopathic wards, but the gen
eral hospital, the medical and surg
| ical departments are still housed in
old wooden structures that are not
only inadequate but are a positive re
Droach." the report declares.
The most notable event of the year,
! the Board of Charities states, was the
opening of the District Training
| School for feeble-minded persons at
Annapolis Junction, Md. Work on
/ permanent buildings at this new insti-
| tuition is progressing satisfactorily
and the school should be able TO ac-
comm odate 200 by the first of the
next fiscal year.
| There is great need, the board con
! tinues, for additional cottages at the
/ Industrial Home School for Colored
! Children, and also some provision for
! the care of Wayward Colored girls
who do not need the more rigorous
| discipline of the National Training
! School.
| The only notable change in popula.
| tion in the charitable and correctional
| institutions was the rapid increase in
population at the workhouse during
the Summer of 1925, due, it is believed
| in large measure. TO Jail sentences i'm.
posed upon violators of the traffic
regulations.
Board Work Summarized.
The work of the Board OF Childrens
! Guardians during the past year was
summarized as follows III the report
| of the Commissioners:
During the past year the Board
of Children's Guardians has cared for
2,l52 children, an increase of loo over
| the preceding year; 449 children We're