The Washington times., 1912-08-25
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 1912.
MISREPRESENTATION OF THE TAXATION
REPORT.

crooked. 1t says the George report creates the
impression that the average Washngtonian is under
taxed"
The report quite to the contrary, distinctly gives
the impression that the AVERAGE Washingtonan
is overtaxed That is what it is all about 1t is the
whole tenor and argument of the document. BY no
possible construction could the significance which
the Star pretends to find, be read into it.
Comparisons of assessed valuations in a group
of cities furnished forth by the Star, to show that
Washington is already very highly assessed. First,
such comparisons of assessed valuation mean nothing
unless the rate Of LEVY is presented at the same
fine Assessment and taxation methods are so diff
ferent that the comparison of assessed valuations
means absolutely nothing In State, for example,
the law requires the assessor to list property at actual
cash value in column his roll, and at rs per
cent of that valuation in the next column; and the
tax is determined by multiplying the figure in the
latter column, by the annual rate of tax This method
leads to most misleading conclusions; city whose
assessment is 900 in the 100 per cent COL
umn and $200O0000 in the rs per cent column is
sometimes quoted as having one and sometimes as
having the other valuation Its tax rate can be
shown to be exceedingly low by applying it to the
higher valuation, exceedingly high, by applying it
to the lower
The fact is, and we judge that the Star knows it,
that the tendency in American municipal practice is
leads the list Cleveland ST. Paul, Houston, Denver
and other cities have adopted the plan, and all have
found the results most excellent.
The unfairness Of the Star presentation is shown
in its references to Cleveland 1t quotes Cleveland
as assessed in 1905 at $28l 900 OOO and in 1907 at
$2e4OO0000. These figures indicate that Cleve-
lands assessed valuation is considerably less than
that Of Washington, $330,00000O
That would be- interesting, if true. But the Star
probably knew that this system of underassessment
loaned itself so readily to fraud and inequality-ex
actly as in Washington-that Cleveland adopted the
same measures of reform that proposed for
Washington, and for 1911 increased its assessment
to over $500 100000.
Did that increase Clevelands taxes in proper
ton? Assuredly not; the tax rate was reduced &C
cordingy. The net result greater approXma-
ton to equity in distribution of the tax burden.
Let the Star investigate modern practice in up
todate cities, and let it quote, honestly and fairly,
modern figures 1t refers to its figures the latest
obtainable this subject" They not the latest
obtainable and in giving them such the Star mis-
leads either through deiberaton or ignorance.
'lf there were any proposition to lower the tax
rate to accompany this increase in the assessment
proceeds the Star, there would be less reason to
protest" That could not be more misleading In
the report of the George committee, it is urged that
the present tax rate of Sl50 be abolished and that
the rate be fixed annually, adjusting it to the needs.
That necessarily means a reduction of the tax rate
and the committee presents several tables, in which
the rate of ST, instead of ST so, is used to illustrate
the outworking of this plan. The Star either knew
this and msrepresented it, else it mas never read
the George report, and therefore is not qualified to
discuss it. Which is it?
The George committee has such thing in mind
as to impose the entire burden of Washingtons taxes
on the cy's property. There is suggestion of
such thing. WHAT it proposes is a modernization
of methods that will equitably distribute the partial
burden to be borne by the citizens.
1t is sheer and malicious misrepresentation to
aege, the Star does, that this plan looks TO force
Washington to pay every dollar of its municipal eX-
penSes" Does the Star believe that such msrepre-
senation as this, concerning the work of a committee
tnat has directly in hand the control of our mum.
cipal affairs, will strengthen Washingtons cause
with Congress?
The reform and modernization of taxation is be-
ing pressed in cities all the country and abroad
as we'll
The George report represents simply the sug
gestion of reforming Washngtons tax system along
the lines first laid down in this country by Cleveland
later adopted by New York and other cities 1t stands
for beginning of general reform in this regard.
The present law provides for assessment of realty
and its improvements at not less than two-thirds o
its value and for assessment of all personality stoci
in trade, etc, at FULL value Does the Star suspec
mat the merchants Of Washington will sympathizt
with il in the effort TO Uerpetuate system unde
which the owner of an F street building pays