The Washington times., 1902-05-02
PERSONAL TAX PLAN
DENOUNCED IN HOUSE

taxes might raise the point as TO whether
those who had paid under the law were
not entitled to be reimbursed. If it was
held that taxes could not be collected I'M
der the law.
In advocating n personal tax. Mr.. De
Almond tDcm.. MOI said that by rel-
sen Of the exemption from such tax in
the District every rich man who was at
tracted here took from the community
where he lived taxpayer and thereby
increased the burden upon those who re-
NAMED and were less able to pay. 1t de-
tracted from the taxable wealth OF such
a community and added to the non-taN
able wealth Of the National Capital. Les
islatiOn which exempted such persons in
the District Is distinctly against the in
tcrcsts OF the constituents OF every mem
Der of the House.
The rate in Washington was Sl.50. yeS
in nearly every district OF the country
the rate was higher. The claim could
not be made that people of the District
should be exempt because the rate was
higher here than elsewhere, WHEN. as a
matter of fact 1t was lower. There was
no reason why all the wealthy of the
country should be drawn TO Washing. on;
they were coming here fast enough now
for the good of the country. he said
Might Lead to Useless Expenditures
Speaking of Mr.. McDermtt's point that
ii unfair to charge the entire budget
| for permanent improvements against one
years levy. Mr.. DeArmond said that theo-
retically that might be correct. but
| against that there was the argument that
| it was the people Of the present who
were making the improvements and the
expense. Ii the policy of placing upon the
people of the future. now voiceless, the
expense OF such improvements 1t might
lead to useless expenditures and extrava-
gance
So long as permanent Improvement:
might be made without any hardship
there does not, he said. seem to be any
| reason for adopting a different policy
which might be theoretically correct but
impracticable
Mr.. DeArmond believed in identifying
Washington. but not in making it an
asylum where the wealthy would be
exempt from taxation.
II the people of Washington were able
TO legislate for themselves there might
be different condition of affairs. he said
He thought the National Government in
. great many matters ought to exercise au-
thority, but in the main the people ought
TO govern themselves.
Local f-Government.
The objections to local lf-goyernment
fell away. he said. under argument One
objection was that the poor whites and
the negroes would rule and that taxation
would be excessive. II the people were
unable to govern themselves he did not
see why the Government should arbitrari-
ly protect them against their inability
The same conditions existed he said ir
other communities. There was no COM
munity where the poor men conspired
against the rich We cannot do business.
he said. on the theory that the wealthy
people of the land are the only ones fiji
TO exercise the functions of government.
As for the negro contingent, whatever
harm might come from the participation
OF the colored brother in politics. other
communities had the same element, more
pronounced than Washington. and they
were able to cope with IT,
MIR. Perkins rep. y. " opposed a per-
sonal tax. II was easily evaded. he said !
and II an attempt was made to enforce il !
here II would result in a disappointment |
He pointed out how readily it could be |
avoided legitimately. 1t was ineffective |
in other municipalities, and Washington !
would he no exception
In his own city of Rochester. he said. |
a personal tax was collected upon oniy
about six or seven millions of personal |
property. yet he knew OF several men
there who owned alone $50. OC0 of per-
sonal property.
A Preposterous Attempt.
Mr. Dreamer DENNY contended that
it was utterly impossible to do justice to
the subject as an amendment to the ap-
preparation bill. He opposed the sugges.
tion of collecting the back taxes under
the law of 1871. 1t was preposterous. he
said. to attempt such a thing.
General debate on the measure closed
at O'Clock and the House adjourned To-
day the bill will be read under the five
minute rule for the purpose OF amend
ments. and the personal tax provision will
then be offered.