The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-12-20
GEORGE ". LBElS' PLAN
REGARDING PROPOSED AMEND
 MENT TO CITY CHARTER
Relative to the Collection of Taxes Interesting Paper Read Before the
 Chamber of Commerce Last EvenIng.

Commerce last evening George ". Lewis of the board of finance read an interesting paper which was listened to very attentively.
 Wilson H. Lee presided at the meet ing and at the conclusion of some pre- liminary business introduced Mir. Lewis, saying that the resolutions presented by MT. Lewis to the board of finance un- doubtedly appealed to every member of the Chamber of Commerce. He then asked Mir. Lewis to read the resolutions which he had presented to the board of finance, and his views on the subject.
 Mir. Lewis paper is given in full be- low
 The plan outlined by Mir. Lewis was met with general approval by the mem bers. President John T. Manson of the Yale bank said that he thought that the plan was admirable although he ad- vocated few changes s. Fred Strong said that MT. Lewis had presented his views none too strongly and that he agreed with MT. Lewis in almost every particular. A number of other mem bers spoke and nearly all agreed upon the main points of the plan as outlined by MT. Lewis.
 In speaking of back taxes Attorney John J. Osborn said they should be col lected by an attorney. Judge Hotchkiss said that he believed that the whole proposition consisted in political social ism. He said that it was always nee essary to make revenues sufficient to pay debts but that those in control were afraid to increase taxation on ac- count of election day, which they were continually bearing in mind. He said why not put taxes up. to fourteen mills and be honest about it.
 After all had been given an oppor- tunity to speak John T. Manson moved that the Chamber approve the plan sub mitted by MT. Lewis to the board of finance, eliminating the matter of in terest rebates. The plan was then ap- proved.
 The meeting adjourned after this mo- tion was carried without opposition.
 MIR. LEWIS PAPER.
 MT. President and Members of the Chamber:--I was somewhat startled a few days since, by seeing an announce ment in one of our daily papers that I was to deliver an address before the Chamber os Commerce.
 President Lee has informed that the proposed announcement to the city charter, relative to the collection of taxes would be discussed at the next meeting of the Chamber and he asked q 1T 5 f+ +J1oa present my views, and also explain any points in the resolution now before the board of finance which might not be thoroughly understood. It is in that ca- pacity that I am present tonight, rather than for the purpose of making a formal address. To bring the mat ter before the Chamber I will read, with your permission, the resolution as offered, together with the comments made at the time of its presentation.
 Resolved, That the corporation coun- sel be requested to prepare bill and present the same to the next legisla- ture, providing for amendments to the city charter in conformity with the fol- lowing changes, to take effect when the tax for 1906 is laid. viz:
 First, all taxes shall become due and payable on the first day of January next after they are laid, and if any of said taxes remain unpaid on the first day of August, 1907, the first day of July, 190S,, the first day of June, 1909, the first day of May, 1910, the first day of April 1911, and thereafter on the first day of March next after they become due, interest thereon, from the day they become due until they are paid, at the rate of nine per cent. per annum shall be collected. All taxes paid dur ing the years 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911, and at least thirty days before the date at which interest is chargea- ble, shall be subject to a discount at the rate of six per cent. per annum, and thereafter all taxes paid during the month of January when they become due, shall be subject to a discount of one per cent.
 Second, the time provided by the charter for the board of assessors, the board of relief, the board of finance and the board of aldermen to consider the various questions of taxation shall be so changed as not to conflict with the above amendment.
 Third, the board of finance shall ap- propriate not less than $25,000 each veal for the purpose of paying>the floating indebtedness of thecity until such in debtedness is cancelled, and hereafter whenever discrepancy shall be founc to exist, at the end of any year, be tween the actual income and the tota expenditures, the difference shall be ad justed when making up the next es' inmates. If deficit exists, the tota amount of such deficit shall be includ ed in the appropriations for the ensu ing year, and if a surplus exists, tn total amount of such surplus shall b included in the income for the ensuing year.
 This resolution is offered as a busi ness proposition in the interest of sount finance and a betterment of the finan cial condition of the city, by gradually eliminating the floating indebtedness and providing working capital where by current expenses may be met with out resorting to the expensive plan c borrowing in anticipation of taxes.
 The fiscal year of the city begins O the first day of January and the cit is absolutely without funds until tn first day of July, an interval of si:
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