The Washington times., 1901-08-22
Vote ON BOND ISSUE
Columbia Union to Act on Plan
for Special Tax on Land.
Objections Raised to Increase of
Districts Funded Indebtedness-
The Large Present Per Capita
Burden QuOted-Plea for Suffrage.

At the next meeting of Columbia Typo
graphical Union No. l0l the question OF
protesting against the issuance of s10,-
100000 in bonds for the purpose of i'm
provemcnts in the District will be dis
cussed, and the sentiment of the organi-
cation expressed by a vote of that body
The matter was taken up at the meeting
of the union held August Is, and the spe-
cial committee appointed to investigate
and report Oh the subject submitted the
following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas the present indebtedness of
I the District of Columbia is over SIS, :
and
Whereas an effort is now being made
to foist an additional debt of Slo.J00, 00J-
s'6 per capita-on the people of this Dis
trict under the present unjust and in
equitable system of taxation, which
would be u heavy burden on the small
property owning and rent paying tax
payers, comprising very large majority
of the residents of the National Capital;
and
Whereas under the present system of
taxation the enormous increase in land
values, due entirely to the growth of the
atively small number of land owners and
SPECTATORS; and
Whereas a number of public improve
mentS are necessary for the health of
the community and to beautify the city !;
and
Whereas an honest and full assess
ment on land alone, now. in violation of
law, assessed at only a small fraction of
its true value, would afford an ample
revenue for all public needs; and
Whereas the effect of relieving i'm
provements from taxation and raising the
public revenues by tax on land values
would be to encourage the building of
more and better houses, to take from
land its speculative and monopoly value.
"a nd fhnra tN~ 80
people to secure homes of their own than
under the present system of taxation:
therefore,
Resolved, That Columbia Typograph-
ical Union No. 101 is opposed to the issue
of additional bonds by the District of Co
lumbia under the present system of tax
alton, but favorS the raising of $4,000
or more, If necessary Congress to appro-
pirate a like sum-, by tax on land
values. exclusive of improvements, on
franchises, and on such occupations as it
may be deemed wise to tax for the public
welfare. for the purpose of identifying
and improving the National Capital, in
creasing and purifying its water supply.
Improving and charging its sewerage
system, extending it's streets and ave-
nues, enlarying its park area, and for the
erection of additional schoolhouses and
other necessary municipal buildings.
Resolved, That Congress is respect
fully requested to submit the question of
the proposed sl0.000,0o0 bond issue to
vote of the people of the District under
the secret ballot system for the purpose
of determining whether a majority favors
the proposition, and, IL SO. whether they
desire to raise their half of the revenue
to pay the interest and principal on the
said bonds under the present method of
taxation or by tax on land values ex-
clusively.''
The following resolutions were also in
troduced at the meeting and referred to
special committee for report:
Whereas the people of the District of
Columbia We're in 1874 deprived OF the
right or local self-government and form
OF government under which they have
neither voice nor influence forced upon
them without their consent; and
whereas the present form of govern
ment in the Capital of the Republic-the
political heart of the nation-is contrary
to the most fundamental principles of
American liberty, to establish which our
Revolutionary forefathers pledged their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor, and waged a successful seven
years war, and
Whereas the ballot lie labors most eff
fective weapon, deprived of which the
people are powerless to peaceably redress
their grievances; therefore,
Resolved, That it is the sense of CO.
lumbia Typographical Union No. 101 that
Congress should re-estab lish in the Dis
trict of Columbia a government republic
can in form and in harmony with the
spirit and institutions of our country-a
and for the people, based on free suffrage,
limited only by n reasonable educational
test, under the Australian system If vot
ing