Evening star., 1936-03-15
RICHARDS CRITICAL
OFLOWLUMP SUM
Veteran Tax Assessor, Not
Gagged" Now, Says U. S.
Should Pay Much More.


Freed of the gag" imposed on Dis
trict officials William P. Richards,
who resigned last week after nearly "
wears of service as tax assessor. de-
clared Yesterday the Federal payment
To the Capital should be between $S,-
900. 900 and $l0,000,00O.
Richards also announced he is pre-
pairing data on the District govern
ment for later use OF character
which his former boss" Commls-
sioner Melvin C. Hazen, would not
dare to publish himself as long as he
Is Commissioner.
The declarations came from the
veteran former assessor as ne re-
sponded to high tributes given by civic
and business leaders at testimonial
luncheon at the Raleigh Hotel on the
occasion of his 10th birthday ami
versary, two days after he ended A
years of District service.
Cites Federal Holdings.
"One-fourth of the average city is
devoted to manufacturing purposes,
from which taxes bear the major por-
ards said. Here, that fourth of our
area is represented by Federal hold
tngs, which are valued at about $780,
100000. Private realty assessments
amount to more than $1,12O,00O.
"A fair formula, therefore, would
require that the United States pay a
fourth of our total budget costs or
between $S,000,o00 and s10,000,000,"
he said.
He had reference to the action of the
House in adopting the 1887 District
supply bill, which cuts the Federal
payment from $5,700,000 to $2,7o0,-
600.
Compares Tax Rates.
Happy in his new freedom of speech
resulting from his resignation from
public ONCE, Richards said he could
now explain "why we have difficulties
with new members of Congress"
The per capita realty tax in the
District is $35 at the rate of $1.50
per S100, with the per capita assess
ment amounting to S2,400, he said.
Explaining how comparisons Of tax
level of assessments, cause confusion
to the apparent discredit to the Dis
trict, Richards showed that:
In Seattle, there is a tax rate of
1926, but with a per capita assess
ment base of only $500 in contrast to
the S2,4O0 here; in Chicago, tax
rate of $3.50, with rate base averag-
ing only S7O0; in New Orleans, tax
rate of S377, and in Texas, q tax
rate of S477 on a rate base average
of only $780,
Put the assessments on these places
on the proper basis" he said, and
then they will show something"
Realty assessments here are on a
100 per cent market value basis and
records have proved from year to year
that they are maintained at full value,
and sometimes above that level. In
other cities, assessments range from
rs to so per cent of market value.
st. Louis Assessors Plight.
'I was in st. Louis once, shortly
after they had discharged the city tax
assessor" said Richards. II was told
this man had assessed property at full
market value.
but that is what the law here re-
quires. Was he fired for being hon.
est?' I asked"
mo was told. He was fired for
being a damn fool"
From year to year, Richards has
compiled a mass of data relative to
actual prices paid in realty sales and
other guides to proper District assess
mentS. This is done in few other
cities. Richards said assessors Of
other cities had explained to him they
did not do this because there was no
good reason why I should compile
data that my successor could use
against me-"
Discussing the huge amount of Dis
trict property values which have been
taken out Of tax assessments due to
Federal ownership, Richards said the
United States never made a better
investment than when they took over
properties south of Pennsylvania
avenue"
Says Fair Formula Needed.
"There should be fair formula for
arriving at what the United States
should pay toward expenses of the
National Capital" the veteran District
official said. THE trouble has been
that in the past there have been some
exparte reports on the subject. When
District spokesmen have attempted to
testify on the side of the District, they
have been told the committees did not
want to hear that. The subject was
changed.
ST have resigned. am no longer
subject to those restraints. I am pre-
pairing data and later will say things
that Commissioner Hazen could not
afford to say while he is Commis-
sioner."
District civic and business leaders
had paid high tribute to Richards
integrity and fairness during his long
service.
Praised By Hazen.
John Saul, president Of the Board
Of Trade, who was master of cere-
monies, said his record was outstand-