The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-16
The Unjust and Malicious
BOrland Act
By BILL PRICE.

Engineer Commissioner BELL, under whose supervision
falls the street work of the District his
intention seek from the next Congress modlflcacon OF
the unjust and malicious BOrland acunjust to the extent
Of being confscatory malicious because was conceived
sum appropriation idea upon the District
Former Congressman BoRLAND the author of this act
among pioneers in the that District people
were taxdodgers and in the contention that 5000 fiscal
arrangement between the Federal and District Governments
was not fair to the Federal Government The Boand act
the beginning of the House scheme to increase taxation
in the District of Columbia.
this vicious and unfair law were properly and vigorously
attacked Congress and the courts it could not last
the District give it the consideration it
deserves they could not do otherwise than hold that in hun
dreds of instances confscates the properties OF citizens of
moderate means The District Supreme Court has already
held this to be true as to certain suburban properties
where the cost to is times In excess Of the
sesed value of properties which must bear the burden under
the law
District authorities instead of recognizing and accepting
the decision already rendered have held that the decision
applied only to properties the specific suburban road in
voed in the thereby forcing property other
roads, like circumstances to the courts for further
decisions of suburban taxpayers who paid this
Borand under protest have been repaid
by the District Government.
Colonel Bell feels that Congress will repeal the entire
Borland act and will ask for modification Of in two
ticuars:
ITO prevent assessments being levied against abut
ting property for the reurfacing Of streets where the
first cost assessment was paid.
Where original paving is being laid the assessment
against abutting property shall
tain percentage of the value of properties
Both Of these proposed amendments should be made by
Congress but the whole ptefu law should be repealed and
Colonel Bell should ask Congress to do it.
Requiring property to sandAhe cost of resuracng
Streets after the original cost has been paid is about
just thing could be thought Of Moreover it is
scatOry Take the case of property owner on street
upon which there much trafheavy trucks vehicles
Of all kinds The and will necessitate frequent
resurfacng. of moderate keenly feels the
burden upon him. While he meeting special
men he paying increasing taxes upon his property
the District Government.
This miserable law works against the building of homes
in the District and for that should be attacked from
all sides by every citizen prosperity progress
OF this city st heart positively confiscatory so far as
suburban properties The of small tract of land
having deep frontage road to be improved put to
cost that is unbearable unless he of wealth In
instances in the past poor have had to give up
their properties rather than face the heavy costs
This kind Of law standing in the way of ownership of
homes by the poor has place in the District of Columbia
Here opportunity for the Citizens Advisory Council to
show its usefulness likewise opportunity
all civic organizations which stand for the removal of mani
fest legislative injustices