The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-10
MEYER SCORCHES
 GREENE
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 tempt to say that my views in my let | ter are not mine. but those of MT. | Lynn w. Wilson even entering into a | conspiracy with certain newspapers to untruth. My views were not furnish ed me. but are my own. If the qual- ity of their expressions is responsible for the belief that they are not mine. am at least certain that the views of the secretary of the league will be attributed to nobody but himself in respect to form What right has the league to de- clare that my letter revolves about a Democratic "scheme"-tax equaliza- | ton? Was 1t the leagues idea thus tosat- ! tempt to discredit me by making 1t seem to Republicans that I was SUD- i porting not a popular measure. but a | Democratic measure?
 The demand for tax equalization is a demand for the enforcement of a just ! law. It cannot be a "scheme" except to those who dread the operation of | the law.
 Tax equalization in Bridgeport is a Republican measure.
 I advocate tax equalization because it is right and because 1t is Republi- can.
 Tax equalization was made the most ] important feature of the platform of the Republican party in Bridgeport in l 1907. True there may have been Re- publican leaders who were seduced | from the path of duty with respect to tax equalization. but Republican 1t fs. as most eternally just things are, and Republican 1t will remain. Let me refer the league to the col- umns of the Republican paper. the Across the first page is a farfng five column head. MT. Lee announces the platform"
 As part of that platform MT. Lee de- clares. T am firmly of the opinion that the present method of laying taxes works a great injustice to cer- tain taxpayers Certain property is assessed for much less than it's, just value. To reform this in justice is task which must be entered upon with the utmost sincerity of pur- pose"
 In the Standard of Oct. 2s. under a second five column head. MT. Lee is again made to declare that 'I consider the paramount issue in this campaign to be taxation" N-
 Tax equalization in Bridgeport was first proposed by former Alderman Thomas OBrien. two years ago. It was subsequently made a plank in the Democratic platform
 4 few days later Mir. Lee the Re- publican candidate for Mayor. opened the Republican campaign with tax
 
 most sole issue.
 Tax equalization thus became a non partisan and eternslly just demand for tax reform and obedience to law.
 I must confess that when saw your league at it's first public meeting be- come a scene of pendemonium at the mere suggestion that 1t should endorse tax equalization my faith became inn paired. S.a.-t..Est
 Your. league declares that 1t desires to enforce the tax laws.
 Your league says that it desires to protect the city treasury.
 Your league Is spending hundreds of dollars to prevent the hremen getting an increase. although some believe they are entitled to the whole increase and almost everybody believes they ought to have some increase. The to- tai amount involved Is s23,00 annual ly.
 None will dispute that this expendi- ture, whether or not there is difference of opinion as to its wisdom. Is to be made in strict accordance with law.
 But the total sum involved In tax equalization will range, according to the accurate figures presented by Charles H. Morris. some time ago. be- tween s300.000 and $500 900 a year.
 The city treasury is deprived of this great income not according to law. but in direct defiance of law.
 The question must arise. why, if your league is sincere in its claim that T. does 1t spend great sums to prevent a lawful expenditure of s22.000 a year and violently oppose every attempt to stop an unlawful leak of $500. 900 a year?
 But tax equaIIzatiod was not lugged into my letter. The league had de- clared that the city is too poor to pay the hremen more wages. By reference to the revenue to be derived from tax equalization I att fGr ed no fg as poor as the league seems to sup pose.
 At any rate have now made 1t clear that tax equalizatiD is a Republican
 One other matter and I will close. Concealing the threat in the language. Destiny is just around the corner waiting for you'. you declare that if derman the league will endeavor to secure my defeat.
 I have little doubt but the league can easily do this. The league Is rich. | am a man of very moderate means. | The district from which I come is | closely divided between Republicans | and Democrats. A few votes will i change the result. quite agree with the league that | destiny. in the form of its wealth | and its influence. is just around the corner waiting npr me-" Ana yet. lt seems 10 me. that IT IL l Is. indeed the purpose of your league | to usurp the functions of destiny in | Bridgeport 1t would be wiser to conceal | the ambition until 1t is achieved.
 I feel obliged to say that your threat virtually compels me to be a | candidate for renomination and re- election in my district. Thus you will not be denied the opportunity to put | your ambition to play destiny to the test against the sense of justice and of the voters of the dis trict in which live.
 I invite you now to do so.
 May I venture to request the secre- tary of the league to read to the mem- hers of the league at its meeting to be held tonight ALL the correspond ence between the secretary and myself In reference to tax equalization and the firemen's increase
 Respectfully yours.
 EUGENE I. MEYER.