Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-06
Inouisitorial Personal Taxation.

In the ordinary course of District legls-
lation it is customary for the Distfict
committees of the House ard senate 10
refer to the Commissioners all legislative
propositions in order to obtain from them
reports as to the necessity or desirapiiltv
or wisdom of such enactments rms Is
more than mere courtesy. Ii Is an ell
fort on the part of the committees 10
legislate for the District with an 1nteiil-
gent regard for the requirements Oh the
capital municipality, the commissioners
serving as a medium through which the
needs and wishes of the people are ascer-
tanned. AT least this is the theory. 1t IS
often violated in fact and almost IN
variably when the committees fail to OBJ
tain information or suggestions from the
Commissioners the resultant legislation
or proposition is inimical to the Districts
welfare.
A case is in point Immediately. Some
weeks ago a member of tine House Dis
trict committee. at a meeting OF that
body moved that another member be in
structed to draw and report favorably
bill directing the assessor of taxes in the
District of Columbia to apply the personal
tax law to all forms of intangible property
Thus by agreeing to a single motion the
committee virtually reported favorably
bill before it was drawn, and before any
opportunity was given to the citizens of
1.-THE District, individually or through their
Commissioners, TO express their views or
enter their objections. Through some in
stinctiye observance of routing the COM
mittee clerk referred the bill to the Com
missioners. and it has been under careful
consideration at the District building
since that time, with every indication that
the official reports, when formulated.
would be adverse to the proposed enact
ment.
The bill itself is distinctly Objectionable
to the people of Washington. 1t is not
necessary as a means of raising revenue.
1t is not justified by any consideration of
municipal requirement. 1t proposes an in
quisitorial scrutiny of the intangible per-
sonal holdings of individuals, concentrat
ing upon the people of the District the
most objectionable features of the per-
sonal tax system. In many cases it in
wolves a double tax, inasmuch as the Sc
curities assessed under the Intangible
property system represent investments
that are already taxed through the as
sessments levied upon the corporations
themselves. 1t is a encouragement of
local investment in local col porations. 1t
is a factor against the selection of Wash
inSton as a place OF residence by people
OF large means. 1t tends to drive away
from this city a most desirable class OF
jewellers who are now contributing to the
upbuilding Of the community ana advanc-
ing 1t toward the attainment of its ideal
If Congress is disposed To -iegislate for
the District without any regard whatever
for the wishes of the people aud without
reference to the opinions ana Judgment
Of those whom the president has CHOSEN
a. their administrators and representa-
tiyes, 1t should distinctly give notice that
it intends to depart from It's past custom
Of at least quasi consideration for the
wishes of the community. 1t should not
suddenly and In a single instance ignore
the commissioners ana the people in re-
spect TO a measure Of the most vital inn
pOrtance. while continuing to observe the
usual order Of reference and consideration
In less important particulars.
The fact that this bill was ordered re-
ported favorably before 1t was drawn, and
was In fact reported favorably before the
Commissioners had an opportunity to re-
port upon II when it was by accident
referred to them, should be regarded by,
the House. when this measure comes be-
fore II for action, ground for recon-
initial with instructions to consider fully,
carefully and jud,cIaliy whether there is
any necessity whatever for widening the
scope of personal taxation and forcing
The District upon the basis of an In
Quisitorfal scrutiny OF the most private
holdings of its citizens