Evening star., 1912-01-20
QUIET RULES BAREA[Ty men HEARD
American Note Having Its Ef Present Arguments Against
feet on All Parties "True Consideration Bill
HOPEFUL VIEW is TAKEN SAY IT WOULD HURT CITY
Veterans Association Practically No Aid the Assessor Fixing
Agrees to Stop Agitation. Taxation Values
MINISTER BEAUpRE OPTIMISTIC URGE RIGHT OF PRIVACY
in Fundamental Principles OF Busi-
ness-Lacks Justification
URGE RIGHT OF PRIVACY
Declare Measure Violates One of the
Fundamental Principles Of Busi-
ness-Lacks Justification.

tenoeu exposition or the reasons upon
which they base their requests that the
District committee shall recall II;
favorable report upon the bill. secure
the recommitment or the bill to tbs
committee and there let IL die of in
anition.
The hearing, which began yesterday
morning and adjourned shortly before tho
opening Of the regular session of tho
House at noon. with George Y. Worthins-
ton on the floor was somewhat delayed
this morning. because members OF the
District committee were detained else
that Chairman Johnson could secure a
suhcient attendance to warrant the OPEN
Ing OF the proceedings.
A Burden on Buyers.
When the hearing reopened Mr.. Worth
fngton resumed his argument, and he
called the attention OF the committee 10 tho
fact that the enactment OF the measure
would saddle upon the buyers Of property
practically $4,000 In extra nota ial fees.
which would then become necessary. and
that an additional $500 or $1,000 would
be added to the fees of the rec rder's Of
fice.
The purpose Of the proposed bill was
discussed and Representative Kahn asked
the question: do you consider that tho
namins Of the true consuei a,ion In prop
erty sales. which is called for In this bill
the bill having the approval of the Dis
trfct Commissioners-would I'm any way
help the District assessor In ascertaining
actual values upon which to base taxa
tionT'
az do not On the contrary, I believe
II would be very confusing" replied M.
Worthington, and he declared that actual
values may be completely hidden I'm the
price which is actually paid for property,
instancing forced sales and sales in which
inflated prices are secured because of the
necessities OF the purchaser. In support OF
his point.
No Aid to Taxation.
Near the end OF his talk Mr.. Worth
ineton asked the question: rs 1t In the
minds of this committee to Increase tax
alton in the DISTRICT" and then. without
pressing the members for an answer. he
declared, the true consideration bill'
would not accomplish such an end.
Formal petitions against the passage OF
the bill were presented by Mr. Worth
ington on behalf of both property owners
petition carried nearly 200 signatures.
practically all Of the prominent opera
tors of the city being represented in tho
list. while on the property owners petit
ton there were signatures OF hfty-ona
bankers, capitalists and fipancierS OF the
District.
The brokers' petition read as follows:
'aThe undersigned real estate agents
and brokers doing business in the Dis
trict OF Columbia. by virtue of a special
license tax paid each year. believing that
q practically unanimous expression or
sentiment for or against any measure or
vital interest to ourselves or our clients
should command favorable consideration
nRYRnY
nounce 1t to be our decided opinion that
the bill No. 1873 (H. R.), entitled "A
bill to require the recital Of the real con-
sideration in deeds, etc.. is serious
menace to our business interests and 4
distinct injury to our clients; therefore
we desire to most vigorously protest
against said bill becoming law"
Property Owners View.
The property owners petition was as
follows:
1.-The undersigned. property owners in
the District OF COLUMBIA, beg leave to al
firm to your committee that in our judg-
ment the passage OF q law to compel the
citation Of actual considerations in all
District Of Columbia would be DIS inct
assault upo.. the personal right Of in
dividual real estate owners to enjoy the
same privacy In their business AFFAIRS as
Is now enjoyed Oy owners OF Olner IOfilS
Of property: further, we can see no sound
reason for the passage of such a law, and
we now desire to protest most earnestly
against the passage OF House of Rep
bill entitled An act TO re-
Quire the recital Of real consideration in
deeds. etc.
Another phase of the arguments OF the
brokers against the measure was pre-
sented by William H. Saunders. who
made the assertion that the bill is not
practical.
"The mere question of secrecy is odious
to the fair minded Mr.. Saunders said.
"and l will state that on first reading
the bill appeals highly to the moral per-
ceptions. But the right OF the American
citizen to privacy in his business affairs
is what I want to talk about. certain
amount of discretion Is absolutely neces-
sary in the conduct of our daily busi-
ness I can say without fear OF con-
tradiction that many Of the best OF our
clients, the men and women who are In
vesting steadily in Washington property.
will not make purchases unless they can
hide their identity behind straw men
and unless they can state the usual nomi-
nal consideration in making their pur.
chase.