The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-05
One Remedy for Over.Taxation.

We give place, in another column, 70
an interesting communication nominal
ly poking fun at a cartoon in yester-
days Tribune, but really calling atten-
dion to the high rate of taxation IN
vogue in this city. The complaint Is
common that in proportion ito rents and
realty prices, taxation for municipal
purposes is ait an extraordinary notch
in Scranton. Our correspondent inti-
mates, in fact, that next TO Elizabeth,
N. j., Scranton is the most taxed city
in the country. This tax burden, to be
sure, does not fall upon our industries,
which can, for long period after their
establishment here, usually secure an
exemption. Neither is it felt to Sc
rious extent by the tenant class, since
1t is a common remark among our busi-
ness men that it ds cheaper to pay rent
than to own house, competition among
landlords having reduced central city
residence rents to point that in some
cases probably renders this statement
true.
The burden rests, therefore, upon the
small land owners and upon those who
invest savings in homes of their own.
These, always the backbone of every
community, are taxed heavily because,
as a rule, they submit to it. The eX-
tremely poor people, who could not sub
nit, escape to some extent and the
large landowners and corporations es-
cape because they are influential
enough to look after their own inter-
ests. Scranton, in this particular, is
probably not different in principle from
most cities. The only difference is in
degree. Scranton, for one thing, is a
comparatively young city. 1t has had
In one general ton, to build public inn
provements and establish municipal
conveniences in the duplication of
which most cities have occupied an
entire century. This has made the tax
rates high, for the present, in order
that they may be low in the future.
Scranton, secondly, has an e:ctraordi-
nary amount of idle land which, be-
cause of dts ownership by influential
corporations, Is held in the expectation
of a rise in value and under-assessed
accordingly. The burden of this dis
elimination has fallen upon just such
properties as the one which our cores
pondent describes. An equalization Of
these burdens would appreciably re-
Neve the tension which the small prop
erty-owner begins to feel during a
period Of depreciated incomes.
What do we suggest as remedy? :?
Many things are suggested which the
local public would probably not in
dorse. We know of one excellent i'm.
mediate remedy, however, that If 1t did
not wholly revolutionize the trouble
complained of would be quite certain
to partially relieve it. If good, sub
etantial, trustworthy business men
were elected to councils, men owning
homes OF their own and having per-
sonal knowledge of the needs of their
ward and of the city at large, the
amount Of public money expended inju-
diciously would soon decrease, and with
1t would go some portion of the high
taxation that is the special grievance
OF our valued correspondent. The ap-
plication of honesty, courage and abili-
ty to the transaction Of municipal legis-
lation would be the first thing that
we would advise In the case of Mr..
Hannah and of the hundreds of Scran-
tonians who are similarly situated.
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