Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-22
PERSONAL TAX UNJUST
AIMED AT WEALTHY, WOULI
STRIKE MIDDLE CLASS.
Federal Government Should Abide by
Compact Of 1s7s-Defcit Not
Fault Of District,
From the Washington Financial Review.

From the Washington Financial Review.
The form Of government for the District
Of Columbia Is absolutely unique In the
eyes Of the world. This Is due to the fact
that the federal government has from the
establishment of the District retained abso-
Lutte control of Its finances and municipal
needs. The very nature of a federal city
and the form of government now in force
in the District will continue to increase the
percentage of its nonresident popula ton.
Therefore 1t is. that In comparing the popu-
lation of Washington to other cities for
per capita tax, most misleading compari-
son can thus be drawn. Washington has a.
larger number OF citizens in proportion to
its population who claim residence else
where than any other city in the United
States. large number of our wealthest
citizens against whom the personal tax bill
Is aimed, Calm residence outside of the
District. Instead of this measure being a
blow at our wealthy class. the burden Of
the tax Will fall largely upon the well-to-do
middle class.
The inquisitorial personal tax laws Of the
various states of the Union have never
been popular form for collecting revenue
While certain kinds of personal taxation
are unobjectionable, yet even a limited
personal tax becomes unpopular, when the
increase Is made solely to provide funds for
the immediate payment OF permanent i'm
as Is most common in large cities.
Taxes in Washington.
The argument that was made on the floor
Of the House to show that the rate Of taxa
ton in Washington was very much less
than in other cities, was misleading. Wash
ington is perhaps the only city in this
country where the assessed valuation of it's
realty is based on it's actual auction value
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higher than in other cities, makes our tax
even greater than those cities with a
lower valuation, notwithstanding that our
rate OF taxation might be less.
The contention of our citizens from the
beginning of this agitation has been, first
that If the government mad complied with
its compact of 1873, concerning both mu-
ncipal and permanent improvements no
deficiency would be existing today; and
second, that the various permanent i'm
provements should be provided for either by
a loan by the government, or by a bond
issue. instead of by the measure pronosed
by Congress. In case Of a bond issue. a
sinking fund could be provided for which
in term of years would be sufhtent to
cancel the entire outstanding debt.
Congress to Blame.
Congress has failed utterly to show the
need of personal tax law. and has also
failed to show why the system of financing
the affairs Of the District as suggested
would not be as applicable for this city as
! II has been for other cities. BY reason of
the fact that Washington Is the national
capital, Congress has always deemed it wise
to develop its aesthetic side at an expense
FAR beyond local needs. Thus has It's de-
velopment and government become much
more expensive than other municipalities
Yet. when our citizens cry out against
these excessive expenditures any pray for
relief, Congress refuses to heed their ap-
peal The principal Of taxation without
representation was never more unjust than
| 1t Is at present. To whom else can we ap-
peal but unto Congress, which is the sole
arbitrator Of the Districts welfare? II
Congress can impose such excessive taxa
ton as Is contemplated, then 1t IL within
| its power also to lay additional assessments
until they become practical conffscation.
There is grave danger that in case the pro-
posed personal bill becomes a law, that
| this additional burden win greatly retard
the development OF the city. and discour-
/ age many persons from making Washing
| ton their permanent residence. We hope
that Congress may yet find a happy solu-
| ton to this most knotty and perplexine
| question.