The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-01
A GUARANTEE.


FACTS ABOUT THE TAX LEVY.
The Seattle Argus says that the Post
1ntelligencer falls to grasp the real
purport of the kick" against water
rates. II says that consumers do not
object to paying a sum equal 10 the
cost of operation, but they object TO he
continual transfer of money from the
water fund to other funds that should
DO raised by general tax levy. And 1t
adds that there In no reason why the
citizens should pay the taxes for non
resident, speculative real estate owners.
This IL such a very popular thing to
say, and IL takes so little trouble To say
it that 1t has been frequently repeated
by demagogues and is not worthy a
newspaper which. whatever its faults
may be, Ia usually practical in It's con-
sclusions and independent In It's express
sions.
1t will take some labor. but II would
be much more satisfactory IL those who
are always talking about nonresident
spectators not paying their taxes
would look at the tax roll. They would
find that the nonresident property
owners are, as q rule. the best taxpay-
ers. 1t would also be found that the
valuation of their property II insignifi
cant compared to the value of the real
estate. unimproved and improved. and
the personal property of residents of
this city.
II il folly to talk OF increasing the
tax levy when the utmost difficulty is
encountered In collecting that already
laid. II the levy now In force had been
paid. there would never have been any
need of borrowing from one fund 10
help out another, because the transfer
Is only temporary. The city council
cannot do impossibilities. but there is
one thing that IL must do whatever
other sacrifice is made. and that is,
keep up the interest charges. because
upon that depends the honor and the
credit OF the city. The total amount of
the tax levy for this year Is 1885,. GAS.
OF this amount. during the first nine
months of this year, there has only
been paid In about $4,000. Had the
tax levy been higher fewer could have
paid, more would have been so exas-
perated that they would not pay. and
the delinquency would have been great
err. II was much about the same the
year before. and In 1895 the delln-
quency was sis9,a63. Thus. in three
years the delinquency In tax payments
amounted 10 between s4sS.0o0 and
$500, 600. Does this look as If the tax
levy ought to be higher?
or course. IL Is a hardship on those
who pay their taxes that there are any
who do not. The hardship would be
the same in principle. even II there Was
a much smaller delinquency. But what
are We going TO do about it In
order to compel people 10 pay their
taxes. "A provision was embodied in the
laws imposing upon them 3 penalty
large enough to make IL to their inter-
est to pay their taxes instead OF lend
ing their money or putting II To other
uses. but a benevolent legislature and
a compassionate public abolished that
incentive to pay. and made the interest
only { per cent, SO that man made
money. perhaps. as much as aud 8
per cent. by not paying his taxes.
There were 20 doubt many cases ia
which the property owner was unable
~ nay; but he would not have been
any better able to pay II the tax levy
were increased.
The amount OF taxes collected this
year is about slss.e00. The interest on
our bonded Indebtedness amounts SO
SIR 600. This cannot be scaled down
!, has 10 b paid In fun. and So Ear 7,
has been paid without y momeut's de-
Law and the eredi, az this city Is as
.naa as that ot any in the rsited
states. IN the advice 81 some az the
amateur statesmen who know II ali
had been taken. there would have been
= default in our Interest payments Il
no amount az SIS .eoo, aud the entire
expenses OF FIRE department, polio De,
nartment. street department. anG al
tho other Offices Of the city govern.
ment would have had to he defrayc,l
ont % the proceeds Of fines. licenses
and fees.
These are facts. and the conditions
With which the city council has had q
contend. But Of no less Importance IS
the fac, that If the tax levy were ia.
creased i, would fall chiefly npoa lbs