The Washington herald., 1914-03-04
ATTORNEYSC0REs
UNJUST TAXATION
H. F. Foote Says Legislation
Would Drive Citizens
from District.
NOT AWARE OF DANGER
Declares Fight Against Proposed Tax
NOT AWARE OF DANGER
Declares Fight Against Proposed Tax
alton Scheme Will Open Eyes
of People.

Probably the strongest argument thus
far advanced against the proposed iesis-
iation affecting the District, combined
with an enthusiastic commendation of
The Washington Herald for its tight
in behalf OF the people OF the District,
was made yesterday by H. F. Foote. a
local attorney formerly assistant to the
Attorney General.
THE title OF the bills proposing a
change in the financial administration
of the District should be a bill to con-
fscate real estate in the District Of
Columbia and to encourage emigration
from the District" said Mr.. Foote yes
terdsy.
II have read the magnificent articles
written by former District Commissioner
Macfarland and published in The Wash
ington Herald and I cannot emphasize
too strongly the urgent necessity for
every resident of the District who has
not read them TO do so at once. The
night carried on by The Washington
Herald against the most unjust taxa
ton intended for the District will go
long way toward opening the eyes of the
people of the National Capital as to how
near they are to a complete financial
ruin.
PeopIc Unaware of Danger.
The trouble with most people 10 that
they are not aware at all Of the danger
that threatens their very existence as
residents of the District.
a resolution was introduced in the
District Committee last week expressing
the sense of the committee that the in
tangible property of the District should
be made TO pay a property tax OF one
and one-haf OF the full value, and that
the power to fix the rate of taxation
should be taken away from the District
Commissioners.
This resolution is to be followed by
bill to be introduced during the coming
week embodying these propositions.
The effect of such legislation would
he to add to the tax of every man own
ing property in the District and increase
it one-third per cent.
Moreover. it would compel every man.
woman, and child who by industry and
thrift has saved a little money and de-
posted it in savings banks at or 3
per cent 20 pay tax Of l 1-2 per cent
on such deposits
There can be but one result from this
legislation:
The people will. as fast as they can,
dispose of their holdings and leave the
city. Money will be drawn from the saw
ings banks and will be boarded up and
taken out of circulation. Other conse-
quences of the most serious character are
bound to follow.
Many Houses Vacant.
Another important fact not considered
by the average member Of Congress is
this: Washington is not a commercial
city; there is no growing need of an en-
largement of the city So far as dwellings
and business establishments are con-
cerned. Building operations, however.
have been conducted upon the theory
that there is such a demand. The result
is that there has been for some time a
great tendency on the part of people TO
move from their dwellings in the interior
of the city and purchase upon monthly
installments new buildings erected in the
outlying districts.
1t is a safe statement to make that
thousands OF houses in this city are va
cant today and will not be occupied for
years to come.
Nevertheless, the owners of these
houses still have TO contribute to the
taxes and support the District. The dis
tinguished members of Congress do not
consider this when they talk about in
creasing the taxes"