Evening star., 1933-04-04
CITIZENS DEMAND
| ASSESSMENT CUT
Forest Hills Association on
Record for 20 Per Cent
Slash in Tax Burden.

A 20 per cent reduction in the Dis
trict of Columbia real estate tax,
through the lowering of assessed prop
erty valuation, rather than by mere
tax rate reduction, was demanded in
resolutions adopted by the Forest Hills
Citizens Association at its meeting
last night In the Ben w. Murch School.
In the same session, the association
adopted another resolution urging that
efforts be made to provide funds" for
the completion of the gigantic Mu-
nicipal Center project, in which ap-
proximately $4,000 900 already has been
tied up. Although the resolution itself
did not contain specific reference to the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation, 1t
was made clear by the proponents Of
the measure that the efforts" urged
actually constituted borrowing for this
purpose from the r. F. c.
The resolution on the tax reduction
was adopted unanimously after con-
siderable discussion of the whole tax
and appropriation problem in the Dis
trict. L. A. Carruthers introduced the
subject of taxation and the resolution.
with Congress refusing to permit Dis
trict citizens to spend their revenue
on needed projects, such as public
schools, public libraries and public play
grounds, Mr.. Carruthers asserted that
It becomes increasingly important that
some kind of tax reduction be effected
for the people here. The surplus funds
which the Congress refuses to appropri-
ate, he pointed out, are destined to lie in
the Treasury without even benefit Of
drawing interest" for the people to
whom 1t belongs.
Urges Assessment Cut.
While most proposals for tax re-
duction. he said, center about a low
ering Of the present 81 l.7o-per-sl00 tax
rate. Mr. Carruthers argued that what
really Is needed is a reduction in the
assessed value Of property.
"If the assessed valuation on real
property here was correct in 1929-and
the District tax assessor was bound by
law, of course, to make 1t so-then it is
too high now" Mr.. Carruthers de-
clared, citing reduced values of real
estate and lowered building materials
and labor costs.
When asked to relieve the tax bur-
den of the District, Mr. Carruthers said,
members of Congress invariably declare
that the District already has "low"
tax rate. The legislators overlook, he
said, the high assessed valuation of
property here.
Now, If the tax rate Is reduced this
year" Mr.. Carruthers asserted, you
can bet that next year Congress will
further reduce its contribution to Dis
trict expenses on the ground that we
have low rate Of taxation
william p. Richards, District assessor,
was criticised In the general discussion
of the tax situation. 1t was asserted
that persons who have sought to have
him reduce their property valuation
were told by Mr.. Richards that the as
sessed value OF their property never
was made high enough and that "it
Is just now reaching the right level"
Oppose Borrowing Funds.
introducing the resolution on COM
pletion of the Municipal Center, Mr..
Carruthers said he had encountered a
very strong feeling among citizens as
sociation members against borrowing
money" Borrowing, he said, Is the
logical way for municipality to COM
plete its projects, and with $6,000,000
tied up In properties that the District
has had ito go to the expense Of build
ing a wooden fence around" and which
have been taken out of the revenue
producing status, and in further view of
the unemployment in the trades, it is
good business" to borrow money from
the Reconstruction Finance Corpora
ton to complete that project.
Another resolution urging the restora-
ton in the 1884 budget of items for the
maintenance and construction of pub
lie schools and for the maintenance Of
public Fairgrounds" was adopted. The
resolution was introduced by Mrs Leslie
B. Wright chairman of the associa-
tion's School Committee.
In the same meeting the association
Endorsed Mrs. Wright for Judge Of the
Juvenile Court.
The association refused to indorse
william Nick Clayton for District Com
missioner when pronounced opposition
to him developed as soon as letter in
viting Endorsement of him for the Office
was read.