Evening journal., 1903-09-16

- i-@''- -N~s w Hic oDiihcu ~ SNAtc blA'
the published list is Incorrect inasmuci.
ms II does not contain many names
which under the law should be there.
The collectors seek to explain their
peculiar methods y quoting custom.
but we answer by quoting the law. We
have no desire to start an unpleasant /
controversy, but VIC hold that there Is
discrimination that works grave injus-
tice, Keeps up the tax rate and makes
the burdens unequal. There is no ex.
cuse for failure to collect taxes on real. /
estate, since the property may be held
for it. and the collectors have ample
means Tor It's collection.
Tho law is very plain. It requires
the assessors and collectors on the FIRST
Saturday in September to advertise IN
two daily papers full list Of the per-
sons whose taxes for the preceding year
are at that date unpaid, together with
a brief description Of the real estate
against which the tax is levied. The
collectors admit that they have not
complied with the law. There arc per-
sons whose taxes for last year are un-
paid whose names have beon kept from
the list. which is discrimination Of the
worst sort. Delinquents whose names
are published have right to complain,
and those who have paid taxes TO run
the city government have right to
require an explanation.
The collectors say that It has been
the custom from time immemorial to
accept a partial payment or even a
mere promise to pay az some future
date, and to keep such names from ap-
pearing in the published list OF delin-
auents II 80. Il is a custom at variance
with the letter and the spirit OF the law,
and II ought 10 be stopped.
We are Informed that there are per-
sons against whose property there are
unpaid taxes for four years. whose
names are not on the published list of
dellnquents. There are others owing
FOR three years and some for two years
whose names have been omitted. Then
the collectors admit that many names
have been kept off because Of partial
payments so the list means nothing
and is not what the law intended.
We are told that Il would be a hard
ship 10 compel everyone to pay prompt
ly. as some do not have the money. II
our collectors are to listen to such pleas
our system Of collecting taxes viii
prove a farce No person is assessed
vino does not own property. and that
prorerty is good for It. But the worst
thing about this system is that 1t per-
mits fraud and encourages lying. It.
most instances the poor person viii get
together the money. while the shrewd
t-ickster will plead poverty and evade
payment as long as possible.
The uncolleeted taxes amount to Il
large sum-how large we are unable
to say because the published list is in.
correct. That means that the tax rate
is higher than Il should be In order
to cover that which is not paid, and
that the poor but honest man by his
higher taxes helps to make up the def
cheney. There are widows in Whining
ton Who ore denying themselves the
necessities Of life in order to pay their
taxes promptly. who are paying an ad-
ditlonal sum to make up what others
refuse 10 pay--and yet who manage to
keep their names from being published
In the delinquent list
This is a matter which interests us
all. because we have right to demand
that the burdens shall be equally dis
tributed. In consequence Of this lax
system the tenant pays more for his
house than he should, and even tho
roo ner finds his charges increased.
A reform has long been needed, and
now is The time to insist upon It. The
published list is not correct and the
man whose name appears he's a right
20 demand that It be stricken OFF unless
all other names that belong there also
appear. The collectors should be
Obliged TO publish a list that is correct,
ard for any list that Is not they should
Lc ctiiged to pay out Of their own pociS
cts. There should be no sentiment, n.
favorlusm, in the collection of taxes.