The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-12-02
EXTORTION IN GERMANY.
How Travellers are Subjected to an Annoy
ing Income Tax-Berlin Notes.

Americans, and in fact all visitors
who spend any time IL German cities,
experience considerable annoyance on
account of the imposing of an income
tax upon them after they have been resi-
dents for three months. This tax or
. levy is great imposition, but is easily
avoided by the initiated. One may live
year at hotel and never be called
upon, as hotel guests are regarded as
travellers, but when boarding in fami-
ly or pension" every one is liable to
taxation. If one chooses to remain
return taxation can be avoided for three
months longer. 1t appears that every
man or woman who has a residence"
IN the legal sense must pay an income
tax. Though they are paid a very
meagre scale of wages, much lower than
that received by servants in America
they are obliged to submit to the extor-
ton. A trst-class cook here receives 80
thalers and Christmas present of from
8 TO 10 thalers. An ordinary cook COM
mands from 60 to 20 thalers, a waitress
or housemaid from 30 TO 90 thalers, with
Christmas Gift of s or 10 thalers. These
are annual wages, and when one con-
slders that thaler is equal to about 80
cents in American money, the taxation
to which they are subjected seems very
Onerous.
A governess of this city was taxed, not
long ago, while in Dresden, not upon
her income, but upon the value of her
board and lodging as received. Since
then she has prudently stipulated that
when travelling with her employers this
taxation should be defrayed by them.
A lady came to this city recently to be
near her two daughters, and after re-
naming three months was taxed ac-
cording to her means. Her daughter
escaped, though she, too. lived upon her
private income, but beng young lady,
and such seldom possessing independ-
ent resources in Germany, she was not
called upon. Another lady and gentle
man this week left the city sooner than
they intended simply to avoid taxation.
When the gentleman was confronted by
one of the "polyse" and was asked:
What is your income and how much
are you worth?" dc promptly replied,
''None OF your business" He was as
tOnished to learn what was expected
OF him and left the city rather than SUBJ
NIT.
This practice seems not only most in
hospitable, but poor return for AL the
money torei eigners, especially Americans,
bring into German Golfers. They do
nate literally to the revenue of the rail-
roads, which are not all owned by COM
panies, but many by the Government.
They stop at the most expensive and
best hotels and buy great deal from
the various manufacturers, shops, ETC.,
and in many ways contribute largely to
the resources of the country. In spite
of this nonresident who travels must
be compelled to pay handsomely for the
privilege of breathing German air, rid
ing over the pavements of the city and
desiring the benefit of the lighted streets.
Princess Victoria, daughter of the
Grown Princess. is studying fine cooking
in the PeStalozz-Froebel House and is
one of its most studious pupils.
France is the only large European
country that has sent nothing TO the
Austelling. Its refusal to participate in
the exhibition as nation has caused
much comment. - Cor. NeIo York
World.