The Washington times., 1902-01-09


upon their gross earnings. A tax on build
ing associations was proposed several
years ago in the District but the asso-
Citations combined to defeat the measure
and convinced the Congressional commit
tee having the matter in charge that such
legislation would result in the breaking
up OF properly conducted organizations of
this character.
Plans 10 Fight the Measure.
There is a movement on foot among
the citizens associations to combine in
fight against the measure. 1t is proposed
that at their next monthly meeting. or at
special meetings, they adopt resolutions
against the law, and that later they hold
a general mass meeting and take joint
action. Other plans of opposition to the
measure are under discussion among busi-
ness men also.
| Among the business men that expressed
| themselves On the subject OF the proposed
measure yesterday were the following:
NasI,inGton's Chief Industry.
! C. ]. Bell, President of the American
| Security and Trust Company: Il am op-
/ posed to any character OF personal tax.
/ l do not believe that such tax is the
right way to raise revenue. 1t is impos-
! sible to frame a law that will not be in
! equitable. meddiesome. vicious, impracti-
| cable ard unjust in addition to the many
! other objections that are raised against
! this form OF taxation.
The proposed measure would be es-
| pecialIy and particularly unfortunate for
the District Washingtons chief industry
and its chief source OF revenue is in iur-
| nishing desirable homes for the wealthy
! classes 1t has no manufacturing Indus-
tries and little commerce. 1t can only
| grow wealthy and beautiful as the rich
people Of other parts OF the country come
10 1t to make their homes An inquisi-
tcrial personal tax law would rob the
| District of one OF its chiet attractions ioF
| these people.
"a certain Western Congressman said
to me the other day that this would be
an argument in favor OF the law with
Congress, as the States do not wish to
lose their wealthy people, but DO not be-
lieve that this view Will be taken serl-
! ously."
A Real Estate Mans Views.
James E. Fitch, of the real estate firm
of Fitch. Fox G. Brown: such law
would be a great mistake in the District.
1t would drive away the rich men that are
coming 20 Washington TO make their
homes. These people spend millions OF
dollars every year in the District IN real
estate taxes and in maintaining their
magnificent establishments. Ihey are
taxed now for residence here as much as
simple residents carrying on no business
should be- in my opinion The city would
lose money by the tax instead OF adding
to its revenues
A Penalty for BEING the Capital.
August Crane, of the banking firm OF
Crane & Paris: ''The business houses OF
this city have not an equal chance with
those of other cities OF the country, be-
cause this is the Capital of the nation.
Washington's population is TO large ex-
! tent n transient one, in that large part
of the people make their homes mere
only a part of the year.
"The wealthy classes and the large por-
tion of the population that comes win
Congress are here only half the year. Mer-
chants are obliged to make their business
nav in half a year where in other cities
there is always fair trade throughout
the twelve months. This is due directly
to the fact that the city Is the Capital.
1t is a fixed condition, moreover, and VIII
grow more rather than less marked as
the city grows in wealth. l believe that
IL would be unjust TO impose a personal
Capital City should be exempt from such
a tax also because the people arc robbed
of the franchise. The Government pays
norton of the expenses of the city, but
it does not pay its share yet.
| c. T.. Paun;gras. real estate broker;
have been in business communication wlt1
one OF the wcalthiest rlel in New York
n member of one of the great families,
who has been considering the advisability
g1,,,, ton
wishes to build Il handsome home His
chief reason for coming here has been that
there is no r,6ddleSoIae and 1isagreeable
enquiry into z mans personal affairs here.
He made exactly this statement to me not
long ago. He expects TO carry on his
business enterprises in New York and tc
reside at the Capital. 1t is my belief that
If the personal tax law is passed it VIII
prevent him from carrying out mis- plan,
and not only he but many other wealthy
men similarly situated"
would Tax People Least Able to Pay
Attorney Jesse H Wilson: "0ne very
oil jectionable feature of the proposed per
sonal tax legislation is that it includes
in its provisions 4 tax upon the earning:
of building associations. These associa-
tions represent, more than any other or
ganizations that ] EnoT )f, the savings
of the provident laboring people, and to
tax them is to tax the very class of ouf
Jeople who are least able to be taxed, and
moreover 10 discourage these savings
which 1t is the policy of all rovernment:
to encourage. II was for these reasons
that the revenue law expressly exempted
such associations from its operations.
One Favorable Opinion.
Alexander Wolf. of the firm of Wolf 6
Rosenberg, attorneys:
81 have read the draft of the proposed
law for District property owners in this
mornings Times and consider that Mr.
Darnellle has drafted very good bill. as
his provisions appear fair and reasonable
and 1t properly places the personal tas
where II belongs.
There is no reason why personal prop