The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-23
hSI()R'S strange ACI
He VIII Ask to Have His
Taxes Increased.
HAS MILLIONS BESIDES
For Educational and Other
PhiIa4thropies,

New York, Aug. 22.-ColoneI John Jacot
Astor has again set an example for mil
lionaires and incidentally for those who
are wealthy but do not quite reach this
fortunate class. He startled society when
ne stepped out of the lap of luxury. left
all of the comforts and enjoymets which
his many millions could give. and went e
Santiago to battle for Old Glory. No man
went TO the front with loftier senti-
ment of patriotism or more vivid con-
ception of the duties and responsibilities
OF the American soldier and citizen. He
was where the Mauser bullets were fly
ing. and it is fortunate indeed that mis-
life was spared, for it has given him an
other opportunity to show in civil life
that he is alive 90 his responsibilities.
II all reports are true, Colonel Astor's
next move will be almost in the nature Of
social revolution. There cannot be any
doubt of the great upheaval among mil
lionaires if they follow where Colonel
Aston leads, as they did when he went to
Cuba.
Here is miracle IN a millionaire Colo
mel Astor will request the city govern
ment to increase his taxes on personal
and real property.
The tax commissioners here, and every
where else, in fact, have always had to
fight property owners seeking areduction
of taxes. No one seems to be willing to
pay taxes without grumbling. The taxes
are always at too high a rate, and the
assessed valuation of property is always
too large. Thousands of persons visit
the commissioners Office yearly to swear
off their taxes and get rid of paying any
thing for the support Of the government.
Millionaires are usually the very strong
est directors to the payment of taxes
and make all sorts of pleas to get reduc
ton. They are the Rockefellers and
other wealthy residents Of Westchester,
who have fought assessments and taxes
for years and have now the biggest fight
of all with the local assessors of the
Supreme court. George Gould and scores
of others, in order to get rid of taxes,
have moved to Lakewood and other coun-
try places, and the people who cannot get
away have Co bear the burdens for those
who fee.
1t is because the tax commissioners
have always had to fight for all of the
taxes collected from very wealthy per
sons that the proposition Of Colonel Astor
is 50 astounding. Colonel Aston returned
home from Santiago about three weeks
ago. He was detailed by General Shafter
for a very important mission, and had
conference with President Mckinley
in Washington. He was directed by Pres
ident Mckinley to await orders, and was
in conference with the President and cabi
net for some time.
When he had a little leisure time on
his hands he quietly came home and Gre
ated a stir in the Astor household such as
never mad been known before.
He had a conference, it is said, with
the stewards and managers of the Aston
properties and requested them to fur
nish him with a careful statement show
ing in detail all the real and personal
property owned by him in this city and
other places. Colonel Aston has only a
general idea of what he is worth, and
his holdings in real estate are SO large
that it would be a life study almost TO
obtain a knowledge of them.
agents to report TO Manager Hawkins in
the office at No. 81 at West Twenty-Sixth
street at short regular intervals as to
the condiaion and rentals of property over
which they have charge, and no one could
understand what Colonel Aston had in
view making such a request at the time.
It was generally believed that there was
going to be some sort Of a division of
the estates held in common by Colonel
Astor and William Waldorf Aston, owing
to the split in the family when William
w. took up a permanent residence in
Europe. 1t has been known for a long
time that this division was in contempla-
ton but it turns out that the tonne has
now arrived for this action TO be taken.
Colonel Aston has, however, given an
explanatio of his unusual course in regard
to his properties to a few of his intimate
friends. He received a practical illustra-
ton while in Cuba Of rhe great expense
the government is under and was more
than ever impressed with the belief that
It was the duty of every man to bear
all the burdens falling upon him in civil
life to the fullest degree.
Colonel Aston is aware in common with
every man of wealth. that very few per-
sons pay taxes upon all of the property
owned by them. 1t is very difficult for
assessors, no mater how bright they may
be. TO get at the value of personal prop
srty, which is subject to taxation in this
lily, and it is very easy TO conceal prop
erty when unwilling taxpayers so desire.
Colonel Astor's lofty conception of the
iuties Of an American citizen have caused
aim 10 make an ivestigation of his affairs
30 that he may know whether he is pay
ng all of the taxes that ne should for
he support OF the government.
assessed at $3.50. $50. and ne paid last year
bout S3o0.oo0 taxes on real estate. This
valued al S.. 600 900, and the assessment is
made upon the basis Of 90 per cent Of the
actual value
The real estate owned singly and jointly
y Colonel Aston and William Waldorf
Astor is estimated 10 be worth in round
numbers 500. c0o. go. and Of this it Is said
hat Colonel Astor's holdings are s. Oh. 900
the gross rentals from the entire estate
are about s.. $500 a year. and me net
income Is. Il IS said. over s., oo9.opo. Col /
mel Astor's share OF thelncome IS based |
lot only upon this real estate. but IS made
- IN part from the various trusts estates
leld in common by the Aston heirs.
William " Astor's personal property
subject 10 taxation in this city IS fixed
,y The assessors al $2.ooo GO FOR rnis year
md i; has been at this figure Tor several
-ears. There are few Il any private per
sons assessed greater than this for per-
.onaI property, and Mr.. Astor's American /
gent pays the tax upon i, without mur
nur
Il Will De soma tine before Colonel As /
or can find out what ne IS worth-sey- !
.rSI weeks perhaps.