The Washington herald., 1913-02-04
BOARD OPPOSES
BORLAND Plan
Trade Bodies to Ask Hearings
to Protest Against Tax
Increase.
RATES TOO HIGH NOW
Changes in New Traffic Regulations to
Be Proposed to Commissioner.
Banquet to President Taft.

A number Of matters OF legislation came
up before the meeting OF the board or
directors of the Board OF Trade yester-
day. and among these the Borland
amendment to the District BILL seeking
to abolish the half-and-half system OF
taxation for the District. was the chief
target for the wrath OF the members OF
the Board. The bill was declared to he
everything that is unfair, and the mu-
nicipal finance committee was empow-
cred to appear before the Senate Appro-
priations Committee to lodge the pro-
test of the Board OF Trade.
1t was said by George w. Harris that
an increase in the tax rate for the Dis
trict was manifestly unfair. in that tho
tax rate here Is even higher than II is
in Pittsburg. one of the most wealthy
industrial cities in the world. He said
that even at the present rate property
in the District called for higher taxes
than in most places. and, finally, c. j.
Gockeler put the motion that the mu-
nicipal finance committee appear before
the House committee and produce the
statistics to show that the District is
already overtaxed.
In the midst OF a silence eloquent of
the Boards disapproval OF the new trac-
ton legislation. II was announced that
the traff1c committee would hold a meet
ing this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the
rooms of the Board, at which a hearing
would be given any one who wished TO
attend. The meeting is for the purpose
Of framing some proposed amendments
that will be sent the Commissioners for
their consideration.
The secretary was authorized to send
letters to the members OF the Board and
other citizens OF the District asking
them TO attend the dinner that is planned
for February 20 in honor OF President
Taft.
Approve Rockefeller Foundation.
mission, the erection OF exhibition build
ings in Washington by the various
States. and the Rockefeller Foundation
also came.
The tariff commission matter was
brought up before the meeting in a let
ter from the National Tariff Commission
Association asking that the Board Of
Trade indorse tho permanent commission
plan. This was referred to the executive
committee for report at the next meet
ing of the full board. The directors
went further in the request for the in
dorsement of the board of the foundation
and a motion OF the directors approval
was carried
1t was felt that the erection OF the
State exhibition buildings should be
brought to the attention OF the Chamber
OF Commerce of the United States of
America, and this will be done. A letter
from MiIlard F. Owens served 10 bring
this matter before the meeting.
Dr. Frank z. Gibson. chairman OF the
committee that last year arranged the
shad-bake. read his report on that en-
tertainment, showing that II had been a
financial. as well as a social. success.
THE attack on the Borland amendment
was led by William II. Saunders, who
said that he was afraid that II no posi-
tive stand was taken against the meas
ure IL would be railroaded through both
Houses OF Congress. Figures were read
to show that, in 1907, the tax rate in
the District was something over sl3: that
the following year 1t jumped one dollar.
and that II now stands between $40 and
s2O
The point raised by the Board Of Trade
as to the equity of the Borland amend
ment caused much discussion among Dis
trict officials themselves yesterday.
The engineer officials hold that the ef-
feet Of the amendment would be 10
cause a decrease in the number Of re-
quests from property owners for street
improvements.
The title to the streets of the District
is in the name OF the United States and
there are those who hold that to re-
qure private property owners to pay for
improvements on Federal property would
be unjust. On the other hand. 1t is
argued, that in many municipalities prop
erty holders pay half and in some places
| all the costs OF street improvements