New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
Stand-Patters Are Changing
Attitude Through Efforts
of Progressives.
REALTY OWNERS
HELP CAMPAIGN
Experts Expect Coming y. j.
Legislature to Solve Some of
Most Intricate Problems.
BY WILLIAM r. kEOHAN.

Stand pa tiers in taxation. This may
sound strange to the average person who
has been used 10 coupling that term with
politicians and political parties. But IT
IS fact. nevertheless, that there exists
IN the field of taxation a particular brand
Of individuals whose devotion 10 the pres
ent complicated, and In some Instances
obsolete, methods Of taxation is so pro-
nounccd that they look with fear and
trepdaton upon any suggestion of
change that will take the system out Of
the old rut
On the other hand, there are many
progressives in the field of taxation. and
while numerically they are not as strong
as the "stand-patters," they are corners,
for what they lack IN numbers they make
up in ideas and activity. Already there
. have been many clashes between the pro-
gressves and the ''stand-patters" in taxa
ton, but thus far the results Of these
conflicts have had no real great effect so
far as bringing about an equitable system
is concerned.
To be sure these conflicts between the
progressives and the ''stand-patters" have
had the exceedingly useful effect Of get
ting the public interested In the subject.
And herein lies the sole hope of the pro-
gresslve IN taxation, for when public
opinion Is aroused 1t won't be long before
changes in the old system will be COM
PEELED Just now the campaign OF the
progressves is the education OF the pub
| lie. pointing out TO them the glazing in
equalIties and discrimina atoms that re-
suit from our present system and offer
| ing remedies for discussion.
| That the efforts OF the progresslves
have not been without results is shown
| by the large number OF taxpayers or
CARNATIONS that have been formed for the
| sole purpose OF discussing changes in the
present system that will make for a more
equitable distribution Of the tax burden.
/! In this way public sentiment is being
crystallized, and before long the pro-
gressives will have this very important
element behind them After that the rest
| will be easy
The subject of taxation just now is
about the most complicated problem OF
| our economic system. so much so that no
sane person has ever asserted that he has
tbeen able 10 solve il 10 the satisfaction OF
all concerned. Suggestions have been
made for the Improvement OF the system
which, II carried out, would materially
help bringing about equalzati ton of the
burden. But in most cases they have been
opposed by the stand patters," often
times in good faith. because OF the fear
that the change would take from some
little taxpayer q part of the burden he Is
now compelled TO carry These stand
| ratters" are in the majority Of cases big
taxpayers who have not as yet been able
to see that any plan that Will produce
equalization will benefit themselves also.
In some cases the "stand-patters'' are
I persons who are enjoying special privi-
lcges in the shape of low assessments.
Consequently their interest in the reten-
ton OF the present system is selfish. They
little realize that system that permits
discrimination OF this kind might be con-
trary to their own interests For little
do they know that some other taxpayer
receives even greater privileges. as far
az his assessments are economic, than
they. and that instead OF being discrim-
mated In favor Of. they are being discrim-
mated against Whereas, II there were
system which produced equality as near
as possible most everybody would be sat
isfed. At least every one would know
that he and his neighbor we're treated
alike so far az possible. and. after all.
that Is about the only thing that interests
the average taxpayer.
We also ind some tand-patters' IN