The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-04
ACHANGE SUGGESTED
The Problem of Delinquent
Taxes Considered.
LET THE CITY LEASE THE LAND.
Amendment to Charter Discussed by
single a. Club An Independent
F~reeholders' Ticket.

Already the revision Of the city charter
is being discussed by the Single Tax Club
of this city. and a. the meeting last even
ing section "a OF article IN. relative 10
delinquent taxes and redemptions, was con-
sidered. This address was delivered by
Robert Bridges. who urged that the city
should be placed on the same footing as
an individual. and he allowed TO acquire
property absolutely when the time of re-
dempt!on expired.
The City's Right Imperfect.
Under delinquent tax sales" said the
speaker, "the city's right should be as Com
plete as that of the individual. and prop
erty 10 which the city has title should ne
used for the benefit of citizens in common.
1t is a waste OF effort on the part of the
city that the officers will not put its rights
into operation. and taxes on property are
declared delinquent over and over again,
until whole volumes are required 10 make
out the record of de,inquencies. There IS
an enormity of delinquent TAX sales, annu-
ally growing and growing, and by a turn
in bookkeeping another burden = placed
on the shoulders of the community
III tax titles are acquired by the ind!-
vidual, why not also by the municipal cor
poration. and the land, now profitless. made
productive for the benefit of the commun-
-ity? Why should We extend len.ency 10
parties who ho,d acres and acres OF prop
erty? So far this year. the taxes collected
viii fal 10 pay our interest by about $780,
Coz.
Let the Lands Re Len ed
I'm my opinion we should hold this land
for the benefit OF all the people. and. rke
the people Of England in the sixteenth
century. throw the commons open so that
natures storehouse would not remain
closed unless the privilege of entering
were begged of some man. Why not
utilize these lands. and let them out to
anybody who will pay the charge there
on? Let the city acquire the lands. and
lease them as school lands are leased. and
in time we Will no longer he confronted
with depleted treasures. A question of
delinquency is now confronting every Off
Ger, state, county and municipal, and the
only possible way out for the city has
been for the officers 10 have a back door
to enter. in the shape of a water fund.
Were it not for that, our streets would be
in darkness and our mayor would have to
be discharged from a lack OF money to
pay him.
The Pfngree Plan for Example.
AS an example of what a judicious man
asenent OF city property could do. Mr..
Bridges referred 10 the operation of the
Pingree plan in this city. and pointed out
the fact that. although a late start was
made, there had been an income of about
$500 from what otherwise would nave
been unprOductive land. He discussed sec
ton 81 of article TX. Of the charter, which
provides that the city may acquire proper
~ sold to il for delinquent taxes after
the term Of redemption has expired. when
ever called for by resolution of the city
council" The speaker referred to the pro-
Vtsos in the section as a string" Ted TO
the law In the interest OF people outside of
the city who count on making a large pro-
fit if the population increased. by redeem
ing after the C.ty's claim had attached.
hut who also took little risk If the popula-
ton remained comparatively at a stand
stilL we want to lop off the string"
said he. and allow the community TO he
benefited by these lands" He urged his
auditors to do what they could AT the COM
Ing revision Of the charter 10 affect the de-
sired change.
Among the visitors present was James
Mallet, Of Victoria, who outlined from q
moral and ethical standpoint the single
tax system. saying there could be no truly
universal brotherhood OF man until it's
principles were adopted.
II was reported that the treasury con-
tained a balance OF $3.50. and the club
voted Sc for one share OF stock In a new
single tax daily newspaper to he estab-
lished at Wilmington. Del. which state
the single tax advocates in the United
States are e~ndeav0ring 10 control.
A woman's single tax club has been or
ganized in the second ward, to meet every
other Friday. The officers are: President.
DIR. Annie Russell; vice president, Mrs
James Conway; secretary, Mss Amelia
Martin. executive committee. the three
officers, together with Mrs. II. ". Stein.
Mrs. E. W. Way. The next meeting Will
be held in Oltman's hall December %.