Evening star., 1901-01-18
The Annual Tax Payment Approved.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:

10 the Editor OF The Evening Star:
The question whether it is better for all
concerned to pay taxes annually or semi
annually seems to admit Of but one answer
There are not many taxpayers who are
anxious or willing to pay out money before
1t Is due, and not available for many
months which the semi-annual or two-pay-
ment plan means The semi-annual plan
also means collecting the money of the peo-
pie In advance, at a time Of the year, the
beginning of winter when the times are
usually the hardest and money tightest,
and also al a time when the people of small
means and merchants are confronted with
the increased expenses incident to that sea-
son of the year. Why compel the people to
pay into the United States treasury, where
It remains idle this vast sum of money
many months before 1t is due? The action
of the Commissioners in providing for the
annual payment of taxes in the late spring
was and Is, l believe, in accordance with
the wishes of the great majority of the tax
payers of the District Of Columbia.
Almost any man or woman who is the
owner Of a piece of real property if short
of funds required for taxes can borrow
the same at the usual rate Of interest.
There is certainly not much risk in loaning
that class of people small sums for such
a purpose. Any one can understand why
the bankers an money lenders are de-
sirous of compelling the people to raise this
vast amount of money. The risk is small
and the profit Is large.
If the money paid into the treasury un-
der the semi-annual plan was put to any
use, instead Of lying idle several months,
there might be some reason for putting
this hardship on the people of the Dis
trict.
The argument put forth by some that 1t
is better for the small property owner to
pay taxes twice Il year, because he can
raise the half easier than the whole, and
that after raising it or saving it If he
does not at once pay it over he will fool
1t away, is very catchy to some people.
This, however falls to the ground when
remember the character of the usual
taxpayer. He is generally a man of pru-
dent, saving habits, or else he would not
be a taxpayer. The mere fact that he has
few hundred dollars in savings bank
or building association, drawing interest,
usually does not turn his head. 1t is
safe proposition that the general run of
taxpayers can be trusted with their own
money for few months, especially If the
spending thereof means loss of interest, and
q clouded title to their homes. Besides, the
taxpayer is not given to throwing his mon
ey away just because he happens to have
it on hand.
The policy of the Commissioners is un-
doubtedly sound, and directed to the adj
vancement of the people at large, and 1t
is to be hoped that they will not permit
this interest to be sacrificed. which a re-
turn to the semi-annual system means.
The old plan Of seHi-annual payments
locked up thousands OftdollarS in the treas
ury, made money tightin the fall and was
benefit only to the banker and money
lender.
The suggestion in The Stars editorial
Monday last, relating to the optional pay
ment of the November half of the taxes
is to the point, and will relieve the situa-
ton and permit those people who are anx-
ious to part with their money in advance
of any requirement to do SO:
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