The Washington times., 1914-03-24
CHAMPIONS GEORGE
TAXATION MEASURE
Benjamin F. Lindas Addresses
West End Citizens on Pro-
posed Reforms.

ChampioniTg the George true con
sideration" bill and protesting against
any legislation inclined 10 be detri-
mental to the half-and-half plan of the
Government of the District, Benjamin
t. Lindas last night addressed a meet
ing of the West End Citizens Associa-
tion, at 500 Seventeenth street north
west.
The urgent need for tax reform TO
displace the inefficient methods of taxa
Ion heretofore employed by the Dis
rrict was clearly brought out by the
speaker
Since the world began" he said, "a
Ereat deal of opposition has been shown
toward any proposed change to methods
which have become set We look with
81 Spicion on any proposed reform.
"A reform Of the tax situation in
Washington is imminent because the
present tax method is antiauated; the
proposed change employs the most Up
ro-date methods CLEANED from the ex-
perience of other cities where reform
has met with success: the proposed re-
ICr1n would be a benefit to trade and
tain sociological conditions existant
here.
Burden On Small Business
Perhaps the least equitable of pres
ent taxes is the tax on personal prop
erty. Under its operation, the small
owner ard the store keeper pays more
than the man who operates q big busi-
ness The grocer. for instance, with his
lsrge stock. is more highly taxed than
the big business who has but few
chairs and desk, yet the big business
carries the larger profits.
Mr.. Prouty proposes to enlarge the
-
pressed; he proposes to increase by 50
per cent the present taxes.
The Government has no right to
take from the rich or from the poor
that which is honestly gotten. Such
legislation is harsh. and Is inclined to
leave a latitude for certain dishonesty
bv those taxed.
TT is deplorable fact that Wash
ington has an inadequate tax assessing
bureau With but three agents to do
that is a physical impossibility. Reflect
that there are 10000 parcels of real
estate in Washington and but three as
SCISSORS to evaluate them. What is
needed is more assistants in the Tax
Assessors office"
Discrimination Charged.
Characterizing the methods of taxa
ton as "slipshod," the speaker illus
trated by showing graphic charts that
discrimination against the smaller
holder of property rather than against
the large property owner was the re-
suit
He upheld the proviso advocating as
sessment OF real estate at full value
rather than at the two-thirds valua-
tion heretofore in operation. Under its
operation a person would detect devia-
lions from the full value and assessors
would be less able to manipulate as
sessment values and discriminate
against the small holder now oppressed.
he :aid. %
Mr. Lindas took issue with the claim
Of real estate men that mentioning the
true consideration in deeds would be
harmful to the real estate values, be-
-ause 1t depreciateS the values Of ad-
Joining property to that sold. He said
that the matter would be fair and open.
and he proved to his audience that the
contention OF realty men that forced
sales, as that of the Arlington, did not
tend TO depreciate surrounding prop
erty.
Finally, the speaker complimented the
National Capital as being the logical
center for the ideal city, the center of
educational research, where a tax re-
form should arouse es much pride as
does the architectural and moral beauty
Of the model city
George W. Evans, president OF the
association. read the report of the COM
mi:tee of 100. and a letter from the COM
'nittee indorsing the half-and-laif plan.
4 resolution favorable 70 this action
was adOpted unanimously.