The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-20
BONAPARTE
REELECTED

CONTINUED from Page One.)
be taxed locally. and as state and local
taxation are completely divorced. local
communities should have power TO deter
mine what subjects shall be taxed locally
and the rate at which they shall be as
sessed. In order that lower rate OF as
sessrent or taxation may be imposed on
certain classes OF property than on
other"
DIR. d. II. WILCOX
DR.. Delos r. Wilcox. secretary OF the
Detroit Municipal League. spoke on the
General Property Tax In Cities.
Mr.. Wilcox said In part:
THE taxation OF personal property un-
der urban conditions has been SO round
ly abused by the reformers that / am al
most ashamed to give IL another kick,
and yet there is something radically
wrong in the application OF the general
property tax TO city conditions
THE general property tax breaks down
In theory because il fails TO distinguish
the shifting and incidence OF taxa lion
II assumes that tax levied upon land
values, buildings, money I'm the bank,
pianos. stocks OF goods and credits. viii
operate in one and the same manner.
"The general property tax also breaks
down In theory because IL assumes that
ALI classes OF property are equally bene-
cause IL imposes tax upon enterprise
md tends to dry up the sources OF rev.
enue; because IL demands degree or
publicity in regard TO private business az
fairs which is contrary 10 the principles
Of Industrial freedom.
The general property tax is failure
practically as well as theoretically. One
great difficulty with the attempt TO tax
personal property in cities is that II can
run away or hide. The bulk of personal
property escapes taxation.
This system OF taxation operates as
public school OF perjury and conceal
ment
AT the basis Of the reign OF political
criminals lies the sitting of the citizens
,onsicences. brought about through the
sxigencies OF a competitive system where
The rules OF the game put premium
upon cunning and greed. BY no means
he least important OF these rules are
he tax lists of the various states and
stiles which say TO the private citizen,
BE honest and fail. Lie and perJure
Yourself and succeed
ssFor these reasons the general proper
" tax should be abandoned In theory
and practice, especially so far as II re-
ates to cities. II has ravished the con-
science OF the people. As we love law,
as we love freedom, as we love truth and
social progress we should Danish It as a
public enemy"
DR.. Wilcox concluded his address about
mo and the meeting then adjourned un-
q 3 o'clock this afternoon.
Civic Association
The American Civic association held
Round Table Conference" on Municipal
Adorament and Parks this morning at
1920 In the auditorium OF the Brown
Union. DR.. John Quincy Adams. secre-
tar% of the Municipal Art commission OF
New York. presided. ~
Before the conference commenced Treas
urer William B. Rowland OF New York
read his annual report The report was
presented at this time in order TO give the
delegates q chance to consider IL before
the business session takes place on Friday
morning The report showed that although
the association is still in debt. there be-
ing a deficit of some $500. its financial
outlook is more hopeful than ever before.
Following this DIR. Adams spoke inter-
estingly on Municipal Adornment and
Parks" His remarks were received with
applause.
JOSEPH RICHARDS.
Following DR.. Adams Mr.. Joseph L.
Richards, general engineer OF the Penn
sylvania railroad. In charge OF the main
tenance OF way, spoke on the Railroad
rs a Factor In Civic Improvement"
Mr.. Richards spoke for the Pennsyl-
vania railroad and dealt with the princi-
Piles involved in the matter OF civic i'm
provements rather than In details appli-
cable TO particular localities. He said!