Evening star., 1901-03-06
Local Methods Of Assessment for
= Taxes.
RESOLUTION OFFERED IN THE SENATE
Nh. Hoar Discusses the Half
and-Half System.
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE

The subject of taxation in the District Of
the introduction of resolution calling for
an investigation concerning methods of
making assessments for real and personal
taxes here. Mr.. Gallinger introduced the
resolution on behalf Of Senator Mcmillan,
chairman Of the committee the District
Of Columbia. =.
Senator Hoar took occasion to say he
thought there was no logical reason for the
half-and-haif system Of taxation in the Dis
trict and that he believed the true way for
dividing the expenses Of the District be-
tween the general and local governments
would be to determine by a reference to
custom elsewhere, what tax property should
pay on its real value, and to have the gen.
eral government pay the balance Of the ex-
penses. whatever they are.
difference of opinion was shown among
senators relative to the existence of a per-
sonal property tax in the District.
Mr.. Gallinger said there was no such tax
while Mr.. McComas and Mr.. Foraker said
there was a personal tax law and personal
taxes were paid, though they did not know
as to what extent.
Mr.. Gallinger's Resolution.
Mr.. Gallinger's resolution follows:
Resolved, that the committee on the
District Of Columbia is hereby directed to
investigate and report to the Senate the
system Of taxation In vogue in the District
of Columbia and whether any portion of
the tax laws contained in the organic act
for said District is in operation by reason
of defective Legislation and also what
changes, If any, should be made In exist
ing law in order to secure an equitable ad-
justment Of the burdens Of taxation. For
this purpose the committee is authorized
to send for persons and papers, and to sit
during the recess Of Congress"
Mr.. Hoar inquired whether personal prop
erty Is taxed in the District
Mr.. Gal,inger said he understood that
personal property is not taxed or has not
been heretofore.
at is a well-known fact" said Mr.. Gal
linger. that taxation of real estate is very
irregular in the District to say the least
and that some adjustment Of it ought to be
made The desire is to have the District
committee take this matter up and make
an examination to secure some equitable
taxation. There is a great deal Of COM
plant about this matter
Opposed to Half-and-Half Division.
Mr.. Hear suggested that the half-and-
half pan was not a logical one. The
amount secured by taxation Of real estate
in well regulated cities should be ascer-
tanned and taxes should be levied on prop
erty in the District on that basis. the bal
ance of money needed to run the govern
ment to be secured from the national treas
ury. Then people coming here would pay
about the rate of taxes levied elsewhere
and Congress could be lavish or economical
in its expenditures.
There no reason why the general
governments part should be one-half rather
than two-thrds or three-fourths. The credit
of this capital city, he said. was the credit
of the nation. The government was large
property owner here and +sught to pay q
great part of the taxes. as the people here
Go not govern their own city. The sugges-
ton he made was the only fair one for the
division Of the expenses of the city he had
ever heard.
Mr.. GaTinger said there was no intention
Of the Senate committee on the District to
interfere with the organic act. That was
the law Of the land, and they did not pro-
pose to inquire about that, but merely to
inquire to the equal adjustment Of taxes
between the citizens.
Personal Property Tax.
Mr.. McComas remarked that he under
stood the senator from New Hampshire to
say there was no personal property tax in
the District.
Mr.. Gallinger said he had been so in
formed.
Mr.. McComas said there was a tax of .
dollar and half hundred on personal
property, though he did not know how
much escapes taxation.
Much personal property does escape tax
ation.'' said Mr.. McComas. but the law
Is comprehensive and ample"
Mr.. Foraker arose to confirm the state
ment that there was a personal tax law in
the District, though to what extent 1t was
enforced he did not know.
Resolution Referred.
Mr.. Hansbrough asked whether the Teso-
luton offered by Mr.. Gallinger had been
acted on by the District committee. 1t
had not, and 1t was referred to that COM
mittee for report.