The Washington times., 1902-01-03
IINl'EQUALITY IN
LOCAL TAXES.
Held to Be a Big Handicap
on District Progress.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE HELD.
Commissioners Discuss Vital Cues
tions With Senator McMiIlin. Rep
resentative Babcock, and others
Raising of Revenue for the Great
Projects Now Contemplated.

Reform in local taxation is what IS
essential before the large contemplated
improvements in Washington can be ac-
complished.
This is the conclusion toward which
those who have the management of the
affairs of the District are tending. A
conference between the District Commits
sioners and the chairmen of the respec-
tive Senate and House District Commit
tees. Senator Mcmillan and Representa-
tive Babcock, was held yesterday at the
Capitol Gen. George H. Harries, Sec
retary of the Board of Trade. and Theo-
dore w. Noyes were also present.
They were in session for three hours
discussing means to provide the revenue
necessary for the extraordinary projects
which are included in the estimate of the
Commissioners for the coming fiscal year.
No definite conclusions were reached
upon any of the several matters, but the
trend was toward reform in local tax
alton as the first step in the right direc-
ton.
Wants Personal Tax Law.
Senator Mcmillan believes in personal
tax law. and providing a means of en-
forcing and collecting it. Such a meas
ure will no doubt be introduced in Con-
gress and passed. But il is impossible
TO make any satisfactory estimate of the
amount of revenue it will provide. A
personal tax, il IS argued. was contem-
plated in the organic law as much as
real estate tax, even though it was
never enforced.
Reform in the realty tax is held to be
still more urgent, reform which will
equalize the burden of taxation. Gross
inequalities are DOW said to exist. Not
only are the exemptions SO broad that a
vast amount of property which should
rightfully be subject to taxation es-
capes payment. but it is held that a
great deal of real estate. particularly
that in the suburban sections, does not
pay anything like its just proportion of
taxes. Some very valuable tracts now
only pay nominal tax.
Key to Whole Situation
In short, the question of taxation is re-
garded as the key 10 the whole situation,
and there must be a readjustment
before Congress viii be willing to vote
money for the much-needed improve
ments in the District. The very fact OF
the unequal taxation in the District is
used by those members of Congress who
oppose improvements in the District as
an argument against voting large Gppro-
priations sreh as are required TO carry
on municipal work. When it is known
that about 10 per cent of the members
of the House are in this class. the neces-
sity for taxation reform becomes more
apparent.
Loan or Bonds Suggested.
At yesterdays confereuee' the problems
discussed were how to meet the extraordi-
nary expenses which Will be made neces-
sary to build the filtration plant, con-
struct the sewerage system. and continue
street extension. The opinion prevails
that the cost of these projects should be
spread out over term OF years. To do
this the two principal means suggested
We're to secure loan from the Govern
ment, creating sinking fund with which
TO repay it, or to authorize bond issue.
To do either of these Congress must be
importuned. but then the question arises.
VIII Congress consent until the District
manifests a willingness for an equaliza-
tion OF taxation.
Extension of Sixteenth Street.
The extension of Sixteenth Street was
also discussed at yesterdays conference,
but no conclusion was reached upon the
matter. Senator Mcmillan believes that
the awards as they now stand should be
approved. in view of the great Importance
OF this thoroughfare. and because it is TO
be a very wide street, making it different
from other street opening propositions in
the arrangement of benefits and damages.
In fact, Senator Mcmillan takes a very
hopeful view of the whole matter of Dis
trict Improvements. and believes that a
way will be found to raise the money to
provide for these improvements.
To Transfer Filtration Cost.
The suggestion was advanced yesterday
that it might be well to transfer the cost
Of the filtration plant over TO the water
tax, which would. of course. increase that
tax. This would remove more than
$1,000. 900 from the original estimate of
the Commissioners The Commissioners