The Washington herald., 1915-03-27
Paying the Price.

1t may be a sign of the times that committee
OF the New York legislature is seriously consider
ing bill to repeal the clause in the tax law which
eNempts from taxation the property of religious
and charitable associations. The State comptrol-
Ter estimates that the passage OF the bill would
tax more than $1,000 OF property held by
churches and other organizations now exempt
and produce more than S4,5ooooo revenue. 1t is
not probable that the Sullivan bill will become
! 4 law, but the situation is serious enough to
c..usc ministers and mapagcrs OF public charities
to rush TO Albany and register their protests
against taxing such property. 1t has been tho
policy of most States to exempt church property
and that devoted to private we'll public
! charitable and hospital work from taxation, be
cause they arc not Tor private gain. But in the
scramble for there has been a disposition
shown to tax business and occupations 10 the
limit, and those who represent the churches and
charities have helped the agitation to increase the
cost OF government by urging government sup
port and control OF many things which have in
tho pas! been considered tho work OF com
muuitrc>, or private organizations. 1t is much
easier to start something than to manage it, and
many movements that have been started by in
dividuals and organizations have been finally I'M
loaded the government of the nation, the State
or the municipality, to be paid for by taxing the
people, those who believe in these reforms and
those who do not
1t is estimated that tho per capita tax in New
\ ork City, for all forms OF government they
have to support. j. than $50, and that 4
man with family of five must pay $3.50 a year.
With no hostility 20 tho churches, men may ASK
why they should bear all the heavy burden OF
taxation. with millions OF property exempt 1t
is unfortunate that such an issue has been raised
IN \ OTk eff
in other States, and it is most forciblc re
mndcr that We have about reached the limit OF
taxation and extravaganza in government, and
also IN unloading on the government every new
project which some clever man or woman thinks
would improve the general welfare OF the people.
These new functions -"i government arc often
suggested and Developed by people WHO bear
hut small part OF the cost OF go, crnmcnt in
NOTED i"r the specific purpose "i furnishing
salaries for tho promoters. VIC have had a riot
OF reform and paving tho cost. When
il is proposed to tax the churches, the charities
and tho libraries. to help meet tho C\pcn>cS the
people will be more apt to think az the cost OF
these ucw-iashiuncd founcc- and rutfie> on the
plain old fabric Of Democratic government and
call halt
Wisconsin was the banner reform State Jew
wears ago, and today there i word in tho Eng
lisI language hateful TO the people OF that State
as reform The proof OF the pudding Is in chewing
the string and good many people chew
ing the string OF taxation to find that the reform
buildings served UP. not worth what they cost
We don't believe the State OF New York or any
other State will tax church property, but be-
licye they will all more carefully examine the
books and check up hystericaI reforms.