The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-09

New York city for the first time In It's
history took official cognizance yesterday
OF tho single tax theories. The occasion
was a hearing in the Board of Estimate
before a special committee APP
pointed by the Mayor to study the entire
problem OF taxation as 1t applies to the
city. Yesterday afternoon was devoted
to the examination of various authorities
on the proposition OF reducing the tax
rate on buildings. II the committee re-
ports to the Mayor that in Its Judgment
ii would be wise to take the tax from
buildings n bill giving such power TO the
city Will be presented to the Legislature.
1t was expected thai virtually all real
estate and mortgage interests would APP
pear In opposition to the proposal, which,
as advanced now, provides for the reduc-
ton of the tax rate on buildings by 10 per
cent "A year Such opposition was dis
played last year when IA similar proposal
was before the Legislature that the
measure was overwhelmed. Many per-
sons at the hearing yesterday were more
than surprised therefore when several
me7 prominent In the business and finan-
cial affairs Of the city appeared as advo-
Gates of the measure. Benjamin G..
Marsh. head Of the Society to Lower
! Rents and Reduce Taxes on Homes. was
the principal advocate Of the change. lie
was followed by Richard NJ. Hurd, presi-
dent OF the Lawyers Mortgage Company,
who said that he favored the plan IL ac-
coinpanied with coming measures and
measures to limit the height OF buildings.
Realty Man Opposes Plan.
Stewart Browne, president OF the United
Real Estate Owners Association. took a
stand in absolute opposition to the pro-
posed system. Herbert T.. jackson. vice.
president of the Lawyers Title Insurance
and Trust Company. was apother OPP
ronent OF the measure. while Alfred
Bishop Mason called for not only q re-
duction OF the tax on buildings, but an
increment tax as well.
William J. Schierclin. president Of the
Citizens Union. told the committee that
Mayor Gaynor's committee 10 hnd special
sources of revenue had been Of unani-
nous opinion against the uutaNing OF
buildings after having investigated the
matter thoroughly. This informal in
quiry. however. did not take the official
turn of yesterdays proceedings.
Prof T.. X. 4. Seligman. as chairman
of a special committee having In charge
the matter of the proposal to untaS
buildings, presided AT yesterday ; meet
ing. Walter Lindner and Delos Wilcox
are other members of the committee. \
dozen or more of the twenty-five mem
bers of the Mayors committee were
present throughout the hearing.
Mr.. Marsh, while giving his testimony,
was severely called to account by Cyrus
c. Miller. one Of the members of the
committee. for his remarks concerning
the Mayor and the Legislature. Marsh
had referred frequently to what he called
Mayor Mitchel's broken ante-electior
pledge to support a referendum on thu
luuestion before the committee. AT one
point he said The land spectators
own the Legislature rs well as the Board
of Estimate"
Mr.. Miller protested that the dignity OF
the city WAS being assalled and that h
would not listen to il. Prof. Sel!Gmar
had asked Marsh TO temper the ardor OF
his remarks when Tax COMMISSIONS
Mullan. "A member of the committee
asked that Marsh be permitted to go on
as he pleased. Marsh continued as be-
fore. but apologized every time he re
ferred in unDecoming terms to the al
ministration.