1 82 WRIGHT 



The lack of tenure of office prior to the enactment of the civil 

 service law in January, 1883, was also a disturbing influence 

 relative to values. Since that time, with a reasonably sure 

 tenure, governmental employees have felt warranted in pur- 

 chasing their homes rather than in living in rented houses. 

 This, of course, has not resulted in an increase of population 

 nor in an increased demand for tenements, but it has resulted 

 in the increased stability of the population here and hence the 

 civil service law has had an effect upon the price and value of 

 real estate. It is one of the elements to be considered in the 

 economic characteristics of the District. 



Allied to their interest is that of the people who come here 

 for a few months' residence in the winter. They spend their 

 money here, to be sure, and take a certain interest in the wel- 

 fare of the city because of their property interests and further, 

 because of their social relations, but they are not influential 

 factors in securing development. Their public spirit must be 

 exercised in other places, where they pay their taxes and have 

 their property and business interests. Their influence here is 

 an indirect one. They help to show their friends the desirability 

 of Washington as a residence and hence it is true that constantly 

 and in a healthy way they influence its development ; and it is 

 probably true that they have helped Congress to understand the 

 necessity of doing its share in supporting the District, for they 

 have brought here a public sentiment which has been crystallized 

 in many cases by direct efforts to secure proper legislation. 

 With the great body of taxpayers employed by the Government, 

 they have recognized the justice of the present method. So 

 peculiar conditions surrounding taxations have been understood 

 by them in a way which has resulted in their influence being 

 more powerful often than that of permanent residents. 



The total taxable real and personal property ^ in the District 

 of Columbia at the present time is valued, in round numbers, 

 at $196,500,000. This is only 47^ percent of the property of 

 the District. Over 49 percent of the real estate belongs to the 

 United States and is exempt from taxation. Two and one-third 



1 The grand total valuation of all property in the District of Columbia is 

 about ^408,000, 000, of which 47^ percent is taxable. 



