The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-15
ABOUT TAX DODGERS.
Capital Publishes Startling Story
Without Names.

appeared in the Sheldon edition of the
Capital was one published today on tax
lodging. The only fault to be found
with the statement is that no names are
given. but individuals are so closely de-
scribed that it is not difficult to under
stand who is meant in several instances.
For instances, the Capital comes in for
share of the criticism. though the name
of the paper is not given.
The article is herewith reproduced in
full, including comments:
L'Lying' is the only word to use. and
there are thousands of men and women
citizens, men and women who stand high
in social circles lie about their taxes.
These are facts. Apply the moral for
yOurselyes-The Editor.l
This is the time of the year when the
tax assessor and the tax dodger are over
worked, especially the latter. I'VE are as
confirmed a nation Of tax-dodgers as can
who will take the trouble to examine
the tax records and compare what he
finds with a fair knowledge of Topeka
people VIII be convinced that the state
ment is mild.
Take a few comparisons.
The assessors recorded the personal
property tax last year at half its actual
value. Every person who had taxable per-
as to its real value: he was supposed to-
pay taxes on that basis. An oath is
oath, whether taken before tax assessor
or subscribed as a justice of the United
States Supreme court But will YOU take
some of these results with that UNDER
one Of the most prominent and infuen-
tial officials of the Santa Fe railroad,
whose name 1 recently read in an article
quoted by a New York publication from
a California paper as that of a man who
had begun business as a very poor boy
and had worked up to a position of
wealth and honor in a way that all boys
should emulate-that man, who has at
least quit being poor, paid taxes last
year on $50 of personal property A bag
gageman on the same road paid on $500,
Another Santa Fe official, who is rated
by public opinion as one of Topeka S
wealthiest men and whose family lives
IuXurlousIy, sWore lhat ne had only
worth. A minister who lives on the same
street and whom the Santa Fe man could
no doubt buy out a dozen times over,
Several rich men who live in great
houses on the asphalt paving in the
neighbOrhOOd of the large churches paid
$3.50 s27O $500 $3.50 $3.50 S165 Anv one of
them considers himself worth fifty to one
hundred times more than the Greek
candy merchant who swore to a valua-
Compare a leading banker and a leading
lawyer, either of whom is able to travel
financial outlay, with railroad engineer
and a baggage master. They paid taxes
on the following valuations; Banker,
$3.50; lawyer $695; engineer, $64O: baggage
master, $780, Yet the homes and their
equipments do not by any means compare
as evenly as you might suppose.
The owner of a prominent Topeka
newspaper swore that he valued it com
plete at $4,000. He was reported to have
said in an interview not very long after
that he would not take a cent less than
$780, 900 for it, and it was soon after sold
for about that sum. This may be diScOur-
teous but it is the truth. 1t is the truth
that should be printed.
A business man who is counted one of
the richest and most influential citizens
and who some people think lives in the
handsomest and certainly one Of the most
expensive residences in the city, was as
sessed on a valuation of 1890. The best
society is glad to receive him. but it does
not know the cigar manufacturer who Is
much poorer, but who is assessed the
same amount.
A Kansas avenue business man whose
personal property is all in sight was as
sessed on a valuation of 1850. Another,
who has more money, but not where
everybody can see it, paid on $40.
The men who have all their stock in
sight pay up like millionaires-Or better.
The small grOcerS who have stores in the
resident portions average away above the
richest citizens. It is a fact as any as
SCISSOR will testify, that the poorer people
are entirely willing to pay on an honest
valuation. But with the possession of
much money a man seems to acquire also
a belief that good citizenship, and taxa
ton are things far apart. A book might
be filed with incidents like those cited
above. or worse.
It is apparently not wrong to lie about
ones taxes; it is simply the fashion, like
many other evils that are winked at in
this world. GEORGE B. HARRISON.
lis it any wonder in view of these facts
that bitterness is felt by the poor for the
rich2 1t is a wonder that there is not
tween the working man and the man of
wealth will never be filled up as long as
the above facts remain to disgrace our
Christian civilization--The Editor.1