Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-06

systems employed by assessors and the
standards of value are so different that
1t Is difficult to make any accurate con-
clusion and perhaps the only satisfac-
tory way would be to have an organ
ization visit the different cities and use
the same set-up in each for determining
values. Richards admitted that such an
intensive study would be necessary to
get more accurate picture of the
values, but pointed out that the method
used by the Census Bureau probably
would not vary more than 10 per cent.
At this point, Chairman Mapes asked
MFR. Richards If he thought his method
is as accurate as the Census Bureaus
system, which works on per capita
basis. mo" he replied, ST think the
Census Bureaus method Is more ac-
curate than mine under present con-
ditionS."
White House Valuation.
The valuation upon the grounds Of
the White House, Richards testified,
is $40 a square foot, which is about
SIS foot less than ground privately
purchased in the vicinity Of the State,
War and Navy Building.
He estimated the assessed value of
the White House grounds at $15,748,-
of the White House itself.
Summarizing the valuation given to
large number of public buildings and
parks, Mr.. Richards testified that the
total of land and improvements in what
Is known as the White House section,
from Fifteenth to Seventeenth street
and B to streets, he had estimated at
$65, 687 900 for the ground and $685.
100000 for improvements.
These valuations, he said, were based
on a conservative estimate Of the cost
Of reproduction.
Park Areas Estimated.
An estimate of So, 404, $50 was placed
on the valuation of the larger park
areas within the District, including
Rock Greek Park and the geological
grounds. An ieRalbation Of $20,8l4.412
was placed on the land embraced in the
circles such as Thomas and Dupont
Circles and $50 separate triangles.
Mr.. Richards testified that a valua-
ton Of $3.50 foot had been placed on
Potomac Park, the total for that tract
being $19,241 ,000. On East Potomac
Park a valuation of 81 foot makes the
total slightly exceed $4,000, 900.
The tax assessor for the District told
the committee that he had not and
would not attempt to place valuation
on the Washington Monument, the Lin
coin Memorial or the new Arlington
Memorial Bridge on account of their
historic nature. He even ridiculed any
such suggestion when it was made by
members of the committee.
Monument Grounds Figure.
On the Monument grounds, however,
he puts the valuation at So square
foot, which he said was much less than
land being bought adjacent to the
grounds.
He said about los acres were in
cluded in what he termed the Monu-
ment grounds.
On the Agricultural Department
grounds he put valuation of "a a
square foot, or $6,000,000 for the
grounds and 100000 for the building.
The Smithsonian Institution valuation,
the same per foot, totaled 5,1S1 900
for buildings and grounds.
The valuation of So a foot. Mr..
Richards said. is placed on the grounds
between Seventh and Third streets, in
cluded in the Mall.
Potomac Park Section.
For all the land included in the total
of the so-called Potomac Park Sec
ton he placed valuation, grading,
he explained, from $3S,000,00O and
$43, 100000.
He admitted to Mr.. Mapes that the
Government had acquired this land
when 1t was virtually all marsh and
swamp and had improved it at its own
expense.
Potomac Parkway and Montrose Park
are valued at 1882 ,942, Mr.. Richards
testified. An assessment of $4,000 an
acre, he said, was placed on the Zoolog-
ical Park, totaling $1,750, 900.
Some discussion arose over the valu-
alton Of $9636, 900 placed on Rock Greek
Park proper. 1t was brought out that
the Government purchased the land for
about $1,000,000. That was taken into
consideration, Mr.. Richards said, In
making the assessment.
Finds Values High.
Territory Immediately west of Rock
Creek Park is being rapidly developed,
Mr.. Richards explained, especially near
the old Pierce Mill. Land values in
this section, he said, are high.
A $3-a-foot assessment was placed
on Meridian Hill Park, approximately
the same for private property In that
neighborhood. The assessment for the
park was $l.ss2,0oo Anacostia Park,
estimated at $4,000 an acre, makes a
total of $4,000, 900, and the Klingle VAL
ley parkway was assessed at 100000.
A total assessment of all the water
plants, reservoirs and grounds was |
placed at $2,686,972 for the land and
SIS 100000 for improvements.
Some of the other assessed valu- |
atoms on Federal properties were |
placed by Mr.. Richards as follows:
Bureau of Standards, 100000 for |
grounds and 100000 for buildings; |
United States Naval Observatory, $20,- |
900 an acre, or less than so cents a |
foot, when property around it is SELL
ing for about 50 foot; National Train 7
ing School for Boys, $4,000 an acre, or
a total Of $1,330,0O0; st. Elizabeth's
Hospital, $5,816,000 for the total; United i
States Soldiers Home, $4,746.000 for the
land at $4,000 an acre and $4,000, 900
for the buildings; Navy Yard at 81 q
foot. with o total of $40 900; Army
War College, $5,783. 900 for the total,
which includes $4,000, 900 for the build
ing: Walter Reed Hospital, 1928, 900
for the land and $2,11l,000 for the
buildings, and Judiciary Square, $5,-
1872. 900 for land and $2.oO0,000 for
buildings.
On the City Pest once Mr.. Richards
testified that he placed an assessed
valuation on the land at 81, 052 ,826 and
s4,50o,00O on the building. The Gov