The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-07
MAYOR THOMPSON
HAS NEW TAX PLAN
Would Make Newly-Annexed Terri
tory Separate Taxing Districts He
Tells Real Estate Men.

II
The annual meeting and banquet OF
the Detroit Real Estate board. In the
Hotel Cadillac. Monday night, was
the biggest aud most enthusiastic
meeting that the organization has
ever held. There were more than
100 members present.
After an elaborate banquet, the
meeting was called to order by Pres
ident Harmon, and the retiring officers
read their reports OF the work OF the
year. President Harmon reviewed
the work OF the organization In the
matter OF securing reductions In the
tax rate. In the good roads campaign
and in the campaign for the repeal OF
the mortgage tax. He advocated the
establishment by the board OF a COM
mittee of valuation and appraisal
which might be called on by individ-
uals or the city. end whose judgment
on real estate values would be recog-
nized as official.
Secretary +. II. Bessenger reported
that the membership OF the board In
cludes ia active and "a associate
members. Treasurer George T. Bader
reported balance in the treasury OF
S2,037.40.
ID. w. Simons, for the executive
committee. recommended that the
board take steps to secure building
of its own to be used for real estate
Offices, and that a permanent secre-
tary be engaged.
At the conclusion OF the business
meeting, President Harmon intro
duced Mayor Thompson. whose sub
ject was THE city budget and taxa.
tion," but whose remarks took in
every phase OF city management.
II am surprised to find the indiffer.
ence that the business men Of the
city show in regard to the manage
ment of city affairs. which are really
their own affairs, because every citi-
zen has something at stake" said the
mayor. Business men seem to take
no interest In the business that vitality
concerns them-the public business.
lone of the reasons why the lax
rate is high, is to be found in the re-
quirements for improvements In the
newly annexed portions OF the city.
advocate the formation OF annexed
territory into separate taxing dis-
tricts, making them pay for the. Inn
provements they get, just as Is done
I'm Boston, In Chicago, and In prac-
tically every large city.
Another method of lowering our
taxes would be the issuing OF bonds
for permanent improvements, instead
OF spreading tho cost on the tax-roll
as we do at present. Our bonded in
debtedness Is now the lowest per
capita of any of the large cities. BY
issuing bonds the cost OF schools, po-
lice stations, fire halls and similar
improvements would be spread over
long term, ANIL the next generation
would have a chance TO pay its share.
II world like to have every citizen
realize that he owns share OF stock
I'm the city and that he should exer-
else the same care in watching his
investment that he would use IL 1t
we're share In a railroad or any
ether corporation. I want the brick
layer to see that the bricks In the
new schools are being laid right, and
every other citizen to take pains to
see that the city'is getting what II is
paving for"
At the close OF the mayors ad-
dress. the annual election OF officers
was held. Walter C. Woolley, OF the
Hannah Real Estate exchange, was
elected president; Judson Broadway.
vice-president: G. F. Heyerman, Sec
rotary, and George T. Bsder. treas
urer.
A beautiful silver coffee set was
presented to retiring President Har-
mon, and another to retiring Secre-
tary Bessenger, who has served in
that position for four years.