New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-19
LEADERS PROTEST
AGAINST TAX PLAN
Wagner and Smith Join Forces
to Oppose Direct
Lew.

Albany, April 49, Minority Leader
Wagner and Alfred Z. Smith. Assembly
minority leader. in a statement i5sucI
tonight call for the immediate ere
alton Of public sentiment against the
direct tax.
This IS the closing week Of the Leg.
islature," says the statement, land
therefore the last chance for the citI-
zens of New York City and its officials
to make an appeal to our state Legis-
lature not to enact the proposed Sl6.-
10000 direct tax. We are convinced,
as are city officials and others who
have studied this from non-partisar
point of view, that the imposition OF
an $4,000 900 direct tax, as now pro-
posed, is not only unnecessary, but Is
a grave injustice 20 our taxpayers.
"The present appropriation bills "a
passed by the Assembly and now before
the Senate provide for an increased
expenditure Of about S20,000,0O0 and an
increased tao of about SlS,00O.OOO
Those conversaut with conditions in
New York City will at once agree that
the imposition of this unjust tax Will
be calamity TO our citizens.
"The general appropriation bill at the
present time is S2,4SO,000 higher than it
was last year. More than S2,OOO,OOO
Of this increase provides for increases
in salary or the creation Of new posi-
tions.
1--WE will appeal to the Senate to
make n survey Of the construction eX-
penditures Of the state, for this survey
will show them that the appropriate
for state institutions for four years
past have been more than ever before.
and that at the beginning of this lSca!
wear there was 56.6OO.0GJ appropriate
ed and not vet used. They must then
be convinced how indefensive 1t would
be TO burden the state with s6,000,00O
more, as is proposed by them in a
separate appropriation bill now before
the Legislature
"The proposed appropriation OF SS,-
500 900 out of the general fund for the
completion Of our canal is indefenslble
from every standpoint. The money
should be provided out of the capital
fund from the issue Of bonds, being
the method by which The present canal
was built.
"A referendum should be submitted
this fall to provide for enough money
for the completion OF our canal, and IN
an act app-opriating the $500 OOJ
aked for il could be provided that the
moneys shall De paid out Of The bond
issues. The Controller has the power
to borrow upon this anticipated rove
nue.. That will dispose Of the money
for the canal without the imposition OF
this direct tax.
I've hope the Senate in its closing
DAYS will not permit itself to be victim
lied by the cunning and plausible argu-
ment advanced by the advocates OF the
big supply bill. This bill now amounts
10 about 100000. Any one who
would take the trouble 70 analyze the
present supply bill will surely agree
with US that 60 per cent Of the items
contained therein should be disallowed.
"If the Senate and the Governor 10
response 10 sense of public duty, VII.
eliminate from the general Gpproprl
alton bill the $2.CO0OOO which IS unn-
necessary. and will reduce the supply
bill by 100000, a reduction which
can be made without working any hard
ship to any interest, and Will deny
the requests for new construction 70
the extent of $4,000 900. and provide the
$S.5OO.00O asked for the completion OF
the barge canal by means OF refer-
endum act. the $lS.O00,00O direct tax
will be unnecessary"