New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-12
Refuses to Commit Him
self on Proposed
Referendum.
SOCIETY TO LOWER
RENTS ASKED 1T
Demands Prediction Pledges
on Question of "Halvlng
Rate on improvements"

The Society 10 Lower Rents and Taxes
on Homes to learn from political can
didatcs if they would, If elected, favor
a referendum on The plan known an
"Lalving the tax rate on improve
mcnts." Among those to whom letters
have been sent are Governor Glynh
and District Attorney Whitman.
In replying to letter from Allan
Robinson, president of the Allied Real
Estate Interests, asking him # he had
committed himself on tho merits OF
this plan or on referendum, Govern
or Glynn says in his letter:
81 have your letter OF the 9TH inst
asking me il ! have committed my
self on the plan to 'halve the tax rate
upon Improvement in New York City
or upon referendum thereof.
"a have not committed myself on the
plan. On the contrary, have already
declined to make a campaign pledge 10
aign bill providing for referendum
In that connection beg TO quote from
a letter which wrote TO Frederick e..
Leubuscher under date Of October 6.
as follows:
"I cannot make any such pledge.
am informed that the committees Of
the Legislature for four years have
consistently and almost unanimously
. l. hat q
Merchants Association has declared
against it and that as late as February.
1914, the Board of Estimate and APP
portionmcnt Of New York City earnest
" deprecated legislative action until
the Mayor and the city authorities had
investigated the question involved
Moreover. if new constitution and
the question Of woman suffrage are TO
be submitted to the people in 1915 1t
will be unwise 10 refer any other ques-
tion at the same election.
"T shall. Of course. keep opcn-minded
on the question until ! am called upon
TO act upon il officially, but ! will not
surrender my executive prerogatives
by making campaign pledge Of this
character.
In commenting on this MIR Robinson
says:
at IS surprising 10 find that, not
withstandlug clear statutory prohibit
tons against candidates pledging
themselves. there are some who will
permit themselves to be so pledged;
and il is still more surprising 10 hnd
that so well informed a body Of men
as those constituting the Society to
Lower Rents and Reduce Taxes on
Homes should attempt TO pledge candi-
dates with the avowed purpose OF sup
porting them if such pledges arc Sc
cured The state constitution pro-
hibits a candidate who has given
promise to influence the giving or
Withholding of a vote from taking his
oath of Office. The penal law declares
such d person guilty Of a felony.
Officers Of the Society to Lower
Rents and Reduce Taxes on Homes re-
peatedly denied last year that they
were trying to pledge legislative can
didates TO vote for the referendum OF
the plan for 'halving the tax upon i'm
provcments.' and they assured such
candidates that q mere statement rela-
tive TO the referendum was not a
pledge and Was not considered pledge
bv tho society. The executive secre-
tary. however. Of this society in 4 let
ter 10 "A candidate this fall makes j.
plain that notwlth standing these de
malls they did consider candidates
statements on this matter as pledges,
and that support was given at the
election on the strength of such
pledges. Here is the letter which was
sent to and received BY one of the can
didates for the Assembly:
"'The Society to Lower Rents and
n 900 RrnaH-
way, New York City, October 5.
Dear Sir: [ am in receipt OF your
letter Of October .. I recognize your
fright" to change your mind from your
point OF view. We also have the right
TO change our position from indorsing
you to an active effort TO prevent your
re election .his fall, and we shall do so.
at YOU before election last year
let US know that you had changed your
mind. your conduct would have been
less dishonorablc and treacherous. You
received our support for your candi-
dacy Oh the strength OF your promise.
IF your conscience prevented your keep
ing your pledge after you we're elected
you had the option Of resigning, which
would have been the only honorable
thing 10 do under the circumstances.
=, Signed BENJAMIN c. MARSH,
Executive Secretary
writing to Mr.. Marsh on September
.. Mr.. Whitman said:
"'In reply to your letter Of September
I. let me say that should | be elected
Governor. and should the Legislature
pass a bill submitting 10 a local refer
endum the question Of gradually re-
ducng the tax rate on buildings in
New York City to per cent Of the tai
rate on land, I. as Governor. would do
nothing to interfere with such a refer