Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-02
MURRAY'S MUSINGS.
America should Adopt the Swiss System OF
Taxing Wealth-An Automatic Car
Coupler That Promises Well-Berry
Wall Earning a Living An Episode.

| <1IHcrlCst SnOtuu <AuOpt efAo S''~NS ~
Taxing wealth-An Automatic Car
Coupler That Promises Well-Berry
Wall Earning Living An Episode.
rFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
| IF the Fassett Investigating Committee has
done nothing else in this long and weary
probing OF ciry affairs it has succeeded in again
calling attention TO the fact that the million
aires OF New York are still practically escaping
taxation. This subject was agtated several
years ago by a similar investigation, but more
empha:ically before that time by the evil re-
suits OF the income tax. People will remember
that one of the greatest frauds ever perpe-
trated under the income tax laws was about
those same millonaires and men of lesser
| wealth who made false returns of their IN
comes and thus defrauded the Government
| and threw a larger burden of taxation upon
the middle class. The Fassett Investigating
Committee having the City Assessor upon the
witness stand had no trouble IN demonstrating
that about the same state of affairs prevails
to-day. From his testimony it appears that
taxable list of property amounting to Sl,5OO.0O0
was cut down to less than s5O0,000 at the re-
quest of these property holders.
casual inspection Of the personal property
tax lists will show that not one-tenth part of
the personal property of the wealthy citizens
of this city is returned for taxation. These
statements of personal property are made
under oath, and inasmuch as these oaths are
false, the men making them are perjurers,
whether they are liable to punishment for
their perjury or not. 1t would seem that one
OF the greatest evils OF the American system
of taxation is exposed right here. Under that
system the poorer man is the nearer the as
SCISSOR comes to the actual value of his prop
erty. The richer man is the less be pays in
proportion. If, by any accident, the assessor
should get valuation of something like one
third or one-fourth of the real value OF his
property. he will have no difficulty In convinc-
ing the authorities that he Is overassessed and
of securing reduction of the amount. That
is the way the thing works here where wealthy
men are plenty, and that is probably the way 1t
works in lesser degree in other cities. What
we need in this country is the Swiss system,
wherein exactly the reverse prevails. In that
older and better republic man who has s4.OOo
or So, 900 pays taxes on only One-half or II, ana
if he should have S25,0O0 he is assessed upon
eight-tenths of it, and if he should have 100000
or more, he must pay taxes on every dollar OF
States were progressive it would adopt SIM
liar system of taxation. Under the present one
| 1t is not difficult to understand how the rich
get richer and the poor get poorer.
Fun in a Silk Shop.
a LADY on the hunt for piece Of silk to
make blouse waist for her little boy, en-
tered big drygoods establishment on Sixth
avenue. After the necessary instructions from
the floor walkers and clerks she succeeded in
reaching the right floor and department. Con-
siderable discussion between the customer and
the clerks as to color and quality ensued, and
finally resulted in yard and half of India silk
being put up and paid for. The lady spent
| several minutes finding the thread counter, and
after matching the silk went out. At the foot
of the elevated stairs she paused and rum
mated. She had forgotten material for
sash. She had seen a half-yard remnant lying
on the counter, and concluded she'd better go
back and get 1t for sash. So she was soon
once more IN the silk department
You sold me this India silk" she said,
poking it at the clerk, half inquiringly.
"N-no; don't think did," be replied. He
was sure something was wrong. This was the
nearest way out.
why. dear mer' she exclaimed. at wasn't
70 minutes ago!'
She sank upon stool, now completely out of
breath, still twirling the slender package in her
hand. The mans eyes took on stony glare.
Several clerks, cash girls and foor-walkers
forward and inquired what was the matter.
This is the gentleman who waited upon me-"
said the lady, smiling in \ aite of her first in
clination.
The old clerk denied point blank, up and
down and crosswise, that he had sold any lady
any India silk that afternoon.
what is the matter with it, madamP' politely
inquired the leading floor boss.
Why. nothing! only want some moro OF
the same kindp'
the poor fellow who had sold the silk. He
turned red as a boiled lobster at sunset
You know, concluded hadn't enough for
a sash. had forgotten babys sash. only got
yard and half. There was a small remnant
lying here"-looklng anxiously 'round-"about
half yard, which would Just DOR
The old clerk began hustle around for that
remnant to cover his confusion. About half
yard would do-a little scant 1t was not to be
found. In the meantime he had unrolled the
package, and the remnant fell out and foated
swell, well. wellr' exclaimed the lady, "if it
wasn't put up In that package! There it isr'
At this new complication even the absent
minded clerk could not express his feelings. One
of the new attaches did it for him:
'It was very honorable III you. madam, to
bring it back" said he. "Most people would
not have done II"
"Why. Ididnt know it was there" gasped the
lady. flushing with Indignation. The audience
had become larger, and the clerks and cash
girls who were not in the ring were divided as
to whether it was case or detected shop!lft1ng
or a guilty conscience. The latter idea seemed
to be the most popular one, but the man who
suggested it was hustled away.
"Well, want that bit of silkr' said madam,
finally recovering.
''Certainly-to be surew And a clerk began
10 roll it up.
do you want to pay for it. madamT'
"Pay for 1t! Of course dol That's what I
came back for-to buy ito pay for Ito get
out of herer desperately.
This seemed to strike everybody favorably,
and the entry went down in the sales book.
Thirty-six cents-"Cash?'
Berry Wall is Now Hustling.
al EFT me insure your life." The speaker was
Mr.. E. Berry Wall, once known as the
King of the Dudes. Mr. Wall has given up
insurance agent don't KIN ow but what he is
f,la de