The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-23
a TAX OF ONE DOLLAR.

\ EXT to the equalization OF an assessment roll
VI which shall represent, as between taxpayers,
the true value in money of the real and personal
property OF this city the most important duty de-
volvng upon the Supervisors during the next few
weeks will be the adoption OF revenue order hNing
the rate OF local taxation for the fiscal year 100000
This function involves no momentous financial
problem Reduced to its constituent particles 1t is
merely question OF whether or not the Supervisors
shall keep their pledges.
There have been Supervisors who solemnly prom
ised to fix a certain rate, but who, after listening
to the narrowing demand OF municipal officials, have
disregarded their pledges. But neither such Super
visors nor the officials who aided and abeted them
have ever emerged from the political oblivion into
which their dshonorable course precipitated them.
Nor have the people treated the political parties
responsible for such pledge breakers with greater
consideration Therefore, if there is unwrittep
political law in San Francisco which neither polt+
clans nor parties are at liberty to violate is the law
that platform pledges must be kept at all hazards,
Justification for breaking them only be found i'll
war pestilence the acts OF God or the public enemy
under which two latter heads may be grouped fire,
food and earthquake, and the Vaccinations OF the
devil himself
These remarks apropos because in few weeks
the Supervisors will consider levy for the fiscal
year I8oo-Iooo Last summer both the local political
parties pledged their candidates to a tax limit OF
dollar, the pledge of the Republicans who control the
present Board OF Supervisors, having been 81 each
$500 valuation on an assessment roll OF $35oooo 600
Under this limit not more than S3.5ooooo can be
raised by taxation in San Francisco for the ensuing
fiscal year. II the Supervisors levy tax for greater
amount than that they will have to abandon their
pledges and, like some OF their predecessors, embark
i 1
In order to observe this pledge, it should be re
marked it will be necessary to conduct the local
government next year on $3.5oo,ooo. The revenue
from other sources than taxation will easily amount
to 81 100000 The deficit for which an outside levy
may be made will reach 100000, and probably the
demands for interest, sinking funds and judgments
will aggregate $4,000 A saving will be effected in
gas and in the expenditures OF county officers,
who must now under a recent decision OF the ST.
preme Court, trim their necessities to their appropra
tons Hence the Supervisors may provide next year
for the expenditure OF about S. 900 and yet keep
within their pledges.
VIII this be done? We say unhesitatingly that it
should be done Moreover, we declare with equal
certainty that unless is done there will be reckon
ing at the ballot-box in November from which the
politicians and place hunters OF all parties may well
shrink with horror Two members OF the Board of
Supervisors are Democrats. They, with three Repub-
lcans, follow the lead of Mayor Phean, but all are
pledged, including the Mayor himself, to a tax levy
OF ST on $35oooo,ooo
The tax levy is political question, nor one
which should be made the subject OF political captali-
zaton. Therefore, the Mayor and Supervisors should
Join hands to maintain these pledges II Mr.. Phelan
contrives any scheme in connection with the levy
which shall have for its object the imposition of
greater tax than ST. in order that he may like Don
Quxote, provide himself with a windmill for theat-
rical demolition, the taxpayers will penetrate the veil
OF his motives ard will hold him responsible The
overpowering demand Of the moment is low tax
rate. The dawn OF hopeful season OF municipal
prosperity will be fastened by the redemption OF
these pledges.