Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1904-12-30
TAX QUESTION IS DISCUSSED
FEATURES OF A KNOTTY
NATURE PRESENTED
Much Interest Is Taken In The
Matter of Increase of
Taxation.

Interest OF the most intense nature
is being taken among the residents of
the city ami county with reference to
the question of an increase of taxa
tion or an increase of the taxable hasis
of property; which will amonnt to
about the same thing. How this will
be accomplished and what means of
equalization will be adopted is what
is arousing the curiosity of those
who have a right to be interested.
A gathering of some of the best
known lawyers and others of the city
in the Court IIouse yesterday pro-
duced facts which will have much TO
do with the matter of an increase of
taxes before that vexing question is
settled to the satisfaction of the ma
jority. The matter was discussed at
considerable length and while many
reasons were advanced for the neces-
sity which calls for an increased valu-
alton of property no suggestion was
forthcoming as to how this could be
accomplished without working man
ifest injustice to some persons. The
most plausible theory advanced was
that of taxing all city property on the
basis of square foot measurement and
not on foot frontage as at the present
why this would be good plan in max
ing the readjustment of property
values for the purpose of taxation.
1t was stated that many persons who
own lots of two or even three hun
dred feet in depth are contributing no
more to the support OF the county
and city than the man who has an
equal number of feet frontage, but
70 10 In. 10
city are several pieces of property
which contain as much as an acre of
land, but by reason of their peculiar To-
cation and shape have only few feet
frontage on the street. On these are
paid taxes, in many cases, less than is
paid on adjoining property having
less than one-q quarter the area. 1t is
calimed by those interested that by
taxing these properties on the basis of
its area q more equitable arrangement
could be secured. AS property own
ers with large street frontages would
be more interested in the betterment
of the street by paving or the laying
of walks they could still be taxed on
a frontage basis as heretofore for their
proportionate cost of the work.
Just what caused the necessity of an
increase in the taxable basis of the
city property was also discussed at
great length. Many predisposing
causes were enumerated as contribut-
ing to the necessity for the increase
and the concensus of opinion seemed
to be that the county and city was
getting the worst part of q bargain
from which the federal and state gov
ernment was profiting to large ex-
tent. When the Naval Academy was
increased in size and large amount
of property lying in the city was in
cluded in the government property ii
was forever removed from taxation.
Ii took from the books property which
was not the most valuable in the city
but which was paying good and fair
share of the county and city taxes
The government cannot be taxed or to
contribute TO the support of city or
county and what frontage it owns on
Hanover and King George streets elm
mates from the consideration of taxa
tion many hundreds of feet frontage.
This loss was felt to q considerable
extent when the tax bills were being
prepared.
The loss was also felt of the proper
ty on which the postoffice now stands
and the state government pulled off
considerable taxable property when
the new library building was erected.
All of this has been done with no ap-
probable benefit to the city further
than the increased valuation of the
city property which, in the long run.
comes back to the taxpayers for iqui-
dation. Those discussing this phase
of the question yesterday brought mp
the matter of the possibility of provid-
ing some means whereby the sale of
thesproperty which will later be made
and which will straighten the Acad-
emy wall along King George street
will be L ad in such a manner as to
bring to the city and county sum
of money sufficient to care for out
standing bonds and for which this
property should bear its share. Wheth-
er or not this can be done is a ques-
tion, but that effort will be made at
the earliest possible moment when the
situation is presented.