New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-15
Single Tax Theory Is Gaining
Many Supporters, but
State Commission Is
otLikely to Favor II.

New Jersey real estate men and those
interested in New jersey developments
yin ind considerable TO interest them IN
shs activities OF the legislative commit
Zee.
This COMMITTEES is now going through
she state investigating the taxing system,
with a view TO suggesting changes IN the
rresent laws which Will do away with
many Of the inequalities OF assessment
which now exist.
For the taxation of property is an i'm
portsnt element in the real estate bust
ness, which has, according TO those Ia
miiisr with the subject, not received the
attention il should from those who make
"a business OF buying and selling property.
The State OF New Jersey is now in the
Shroes Of considerable agitation on the
subject of taxation, not alone because OF
the work OF the investigs ting committee.
but because a constitutional convention
IS soon to be called, TO which radical
changes In the taxation of property Will
lie submitted. some Of which will change
completely the entire scheme Of assess
ment
The most radical suggestion thus Tar
made--perhaps the most radical that can
he made-is to eliminate the assessment
Of ali property save land That is, to ex-
enpt all personal property and improve
ments from the tax assessors levy and
place the entire burden Of the cost OF gov
eminent on the owners Of land alone.
In short, it is the single tax proposition,
and its propaganda has made so much
Roadway in the state that the proposition
10 change the constitution so that tndi-
vidual municipalities may adopt the plan
has made considerable progress.
George l. Record, the we'll known New
Jersey reforner. is one of the enthusiastic
supporters of the plan to place the en-
tire burden Of taxation on land alone. ano
while admitting that there may be some
doubt as TO the feasibility Of the plan he
nevertheless wants TO see the plan tried
out. and Is urging a constitutional change
that will allow municipalities 10 try II out
The Federation OF Civic Clubs OF New
Jersey, which is taking an active interest
in the coming constitutional convention,
hstensd approvingly 10 Mr.. Records ad-
dress on the subject at its conference re-
Gently, and there seems to be little doubt
chat Mr.. Records plan viii be one or the
shIngs that the federation will recommend
10 the convention for adoption.
OF course. any such change In the plan
of taxation in New Jersey will have
radical effect on the real estate business
Of the state, 30 II behooVes the real es-
late brokers 10 get busy and find cut
what's going on.
L. asf
That no such recommendation IS the
single tax plan will come from the COM
mission that 10 investigating taxation IN
Kew Jersey. but those who have followed
the hearings OF the commission haven't
the least doubt that much inequality and
determination exists, and that some
means should be found to remedy II.
IL is not unfair to say that real estate
men themselves arc often responsible Tor
,bs inequality Of assessment, because II
5hsy oo-ope, atsd with the local assessor
3n the way Of determining values much OF
she inequality that now exists wouid DO
eliminated.
Most real estate men, as rule. are
strong opponents OF the plan to compel
<r,le considerations 10 be shown in deeds,
asserting that II would hurt their busi-
ness, when, on thu contrary, IL WOULD De
helpfuI. because Il would then be possible
so get an element which. while not de-
terrnining factor. would be basis for
getting at equal and just assessments.
And II is fair 10 assume that IL 10 In
municipality that is economically gov
rned, with ell the taxpayers assessed on
she same basis, that the real estate man
will find a steady market.
The real estate man usually knows
values pretty well in the particular sec
tion in which he operates. He has, as a