New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-11
A PAY OR SELL SYSTEM
Make Citizens State Property 81
Sell All Not Included in Returns.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Since the publication Of the psrna
tax assessment lists FOR the city, the fss
lie in general and the press In partisslr
have spent considerable time in pointing W
the futilty of the present laws relating
the subject, but In no single instance,
far as | am aware, has any conssrassH
criticism been offered. All are united :
saying that the present system Is ridieal'r
and inadequate, but obviously until scr
better plan is advanced we shall eons;a
the present method, which places prent''
on perjury and evasion Of obligations
The substitute which I beg TO suggest q
YOUR consideration is based upon the iars
mental conception of taxation, which .
financial return for service performed BY "
governing body. In the simple tran'ser'a
Of life this relationship is clear Wr
the milkman 8 or 10 cents for guar
milk. This Is our contribution IN ss!Dc'
not only for the actual Auid, but for -
service involved in breeding the COW, n slf
ing il, in transporting the milk, ETC. ID ~
manner the general citizen is under o.
cation 10 pay certain sum in return !.
benefits conferred by the municipality !"
obtain concrete benefits from Its epen'a
in the maintenance Of our stree"
schools, the protection Of our proper! ~.
fire, burglary, ETC. Obviously every w.
in the city is benefited in numberle" ar
or indirect ways, hence is under . ~,
as well as legal obligation TO eontl'0a4
the general expense Of the oenen" Wv
he enjoys. ~
Let us partially, at least, copy the u" 4,
of the Federal government as apphea
income tax and have each man sta.e INV -.
20 him of the property which DC " :,
member of his household owns on 'N =.
day. As an evidence Of good faitn' o."
statement read that the value OF sueh ~
Of property equals the amounts "As~
which price he is ready and willing
Have the statements made OUT -,
siderable particularly and have inc y,
statement verified 10 the eheet tnss
tains a full statement OF all MS p.t ,r
which has any value whatsoever s'. ',.,,s
all such statements become puone -,
and permit any person by paying Wv
of any item listed plus 10 per ees. las
cent the offer of sale contained IN 'ns :,
blank and purchase such properly, ~, IN
MUM going half TO the owner ana na ", ~
government. Finally, have II pro''u.s ,.s
anv person could purchase any proper. s
which a citizen failed 10 make III, d.
some nominal sum, say $50 ov ,a mi .,
nerson making the return couIo ns
ioct 10 such arrangement, since ne .,,s
receiyino. sos for something which nc
had no value TO him. .,,v vsr1<
If the return blank were proper" =. se
there could be no infringement t o. ,rr
stitutional prohibition against
ertv without due process OF ia" ,,hl, "
4 plan along the lines thus 'o o,~o., slt
lined is practicable; it would be .'| .oa.rss
embracing. would insure proper D,
ton by all TO the common eSp 'sa disssr
@ ,y would eliminate the ,.ssIsp
sy;sine from carrying millions o. md. b
;hie tsxes on the books Of the eiy' .;,;,sn .
lint not least, would awaken ever ,s,.s, % .
the necessity of taking an a. sss'"
least so much Of public ans'is
tho eyrenditure of public funds, orrtgl
Now York. Oct. 6, 1915.