Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08

REALTY OWNERS
PROTEST TAXES
Local Dealers See Justice in Res
OIution Asking Equalization.
Presents Delicate Situation.

Local real estate agents who have
long commended that land bears an I'M
usually heavy burden in taxation Will
be interested to learn that a definite
movement has been made of late in
various sections Of the country to
correct this seeming irregularity No
table in this connection were resolu-
lions passed by the National Pro-
gressive County Committee in New
York, whether as a matter of simple
Justice or political capital the realty
men care little.
II will be recalled that Alderman
John z. McClelland recently proposed
to increase Atlanta realty assess
ments. This aroused a storm of pro-
test, since 1t was declared that the
real estate business would be sadly
crippled and Industries frightened
away. and it was further contended
that II anything should be done 1t
should be in the nature OF increased
rates and not increased assessments.
Fulton County already pays about
one-f fifth of the States taxes, and a
movement has been started to correct
this alleged abuse
Resolutions Adopted.
The resolutions referred to above
are as follows:
Whereas. a commission to recon-
pointed by the present Mayor of the
city of New York has, il appears,
made a report which, instead of sug-
costing actual new sources, or recon-
mending business and commercial
sources of revenue, according to the
long approved we'll established and,
apparently, satisfactory methods OF
many other American municipalities,
recommends a further burden upon
real estate by an 'unearned increment
tax and
Whereas in other American mu-
inequalities a safe margin of assess
ment under appraised value is uni
fOrmly allowed, it is alleged by we'll
informed and competent persons that
improved New York City real estate
is already, in many cases, actually
overassessed, and otherwise bears an
utterly disproportionate percentage
of taxation as compared to other
business; that said percentage of such
tax burden on improved real estate
is alleged to be astoundingly greater
here than in other American cities;
and New York real estate, while re-
quiring no police surveillance, under
present conditions is thus alleged to
bear an inordinate and unjust pro
portion Of the burden of the city
government and its carrying charges;
and
Whereas on the other hand prac-
tically all lines of lucrative trade and
business, receiving the advantages of
the nations metropolis, are alleged to
bear directly by tax or license. no pro-
portion whatever Of said burden; and
Common People Bear Burden.
Whereas this alleged unjust i'm
proved real estate burden, in the last
analysis, falls upon the great mass of
tenants of poor or moderate means
who in rents must. if possible, pay the
carrying charges and a net income of
the investments in such improved real
estate; and
Whereas it is alleged thas In order
to meet said carrying charges and to
obtain a fair net income for such in
vestment and enterprise the rents are
much higher than in other American
cities and are driving many people out
of the city and into adjoining cities
and States; and
Resolved, That the chairman of the
county committee of the National
Progressive Party appoint a commit
tee Of qualified persons to examine
| fully into this important subject and
report its conclusions, with recon-
mendations and such resolutions as
may be deemed in order, at the next
meeting of the executive committee
Resolved, That any meetings held
! by said committee shall be open to the
1 public"