Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-11
lax Exemption
Bids Of Three
Groups Studied
Senute D. c. Unit
Weighs Opposition to
$3.50 Abutements
BY ALEX r. PRESTON

Requests by three organiza-
tons for exemptions from the
District real estate tax totaling
$3.50 annually were being
weighed by a Senate subcom-
mittee today.
In the District. 52.8 per cent
Iof the total area already has
been removed from the tax roles.
The Fiscal Affairs Subcommit-
tee of the Senate District Com
mite listened to arguments yes
terday in which education, his
tory and charity were listed by
three organizations as reasons
why they should not pay District
taxes.
The groups are:
The National Association of
Colored Women's Clubs. Inc,
whose property at 1901 r street
NV. is taxed at $839.50. 1t
identified itself as a charitable
organization.
The American Historical AS
ISOLATION. whose headquarters at
400 A street Sc, is taxed at
$228.22. 1t was the group claim
ing historical activity as grounds
for exemption.
The National Trust for His
toric Preservation in the United
States in the District of Column
bia. whose historic properties at
TAB jackson place NV. are the
Decatur House and the Truxtun-
Decatur Naval Museum. Those
properties. assessed by the Dis
trict at $293.000. are taxed at
/ $6,743.
Opposition Cited
| Assistant Corporation Counsel
Henry Wixon told the subcom-
mittee, headed by Senator Bible,
Democrat of Nevada:
The District Commissioners
are quite definitely opposed to
this bill Ito exempt Decatur
House,. Not only would this bill
extend the present exemptions
on real estate. but it would give
National Trust a particular
status because the District of
Columbia derives no benefit from
the uses Of the building.
THE Commissioners believe
that the use should be of specific
benefit to the people of the Dis
trict if tax exemption is given"
He used the same arguments
against the other two bills.
District Tax Assessor James L.
Martin presented figures show
ing that the city levies taxes
against only 47.2 per cent of its
land area. His figures showed
that the city collects taxes on
slightly more than 60 per cent
Iof the total value Of land and
improvements.
The city collected SAB million
in real estate taxes in the cur
rent fiscal year. On the same
rate of assessment the city was
denied 1921 million on proper
ties owned by Federal. foreign
and local governments, charita-
ole, religious and other tax
exempt groups.
Tells Of Necessity
Richard H. Rowland, presi-
dent of National Trust, said his
group administers the Wood
lawn Foundation, among others
Woodlawn is the estate given by
George Washington to his STEP
daughter. 1t is located a few
miles south of Washington where
the Mount Vernon highway in
tersects Route /.
Woodlawn is exempt from
both Federal and Virginia State
taxes. Mr.. Rowland said.
Without tax exemption. We
have no other choice but not II
accept historic houses" adding
that taxes place an impossible
burden" on such nonprofit or
CARNATIONS. Under questioning
by Senator Bible, Mr.. Rowland
said that under the will of the
late Mrs. Truxtun Beale. Deca-
tur House was to be available
for use by the Secretary Of the
Navy to entertain in his officia
capacity. He said the Secretary
requires its use occasionally
after 5 pm. which will not in
terfere with our plans to use il
for an educational institution
and museum.
In other action. the subcom-
mittee reported to the full Dis
trict Committee a bill to exempt
from the District sales tax ma
.erials used in constructing wal
memorials.