Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-01-04
SEGREGATION OF TAXES
THE ONLY REMEDY.

Ne note in the report of the hear
ine before Judge Thornton, in Alex
andria County, last week, in relation
to the appointment of land asses
sor for the county that Captain Gran
dial Mackey, the Commemorative at
torney, in advocating the appoint
ment of a certain gentleman, said he
was Sin favor of low assessment,
but, in accordance with law, and the
law called for assessment at far
Cash value" Mr.. Lyon, whose APP
nointment he favored, boldly mann
ed that view. Judge r. Gordon
rney said obedience to the law,
II proposed by Lyon, was right ana
b. hoped no other man would De
lined"
County Clerk, Geo. H. Rocker, ad-
locating the appointment oil another
Gentleman, Mr.. Wibert, said large
share of the taxes collected i'll the
county now 90 into the State trea-
sury. and that a "largely increased
assessment would add greatly to the
county's unfair burden on this ac-
and, therefore, he opposed
Won proposed valuations.
ae Judge appointed Mr.. Harry
fs&foas.
we refer to this matter only to en-
phasize the fatal mistake that would
be made should the General Assem-
bly, adopt the majority report OF the
State Tax Commission and perpetu-
ate the present system Of taxation
whereby the State would continue
to participate with the counties and
cities in the revenue derived from a
direct tax on real estate and tang
lie personal property. SO long as
: that system obtains certain COM
munities will continue to depress
their assessments so as to avoid, as
far, as possible, paying their due
share of the State tax thus throw
ing the burden OF supporting the
, Statet Government upon communities
like Alexandria and Fairfax Counties
and the City Of Alexandria. winch
pay mbrc into the State treasury
than they draw therefrom. This sys-
tenn, in spite Of ali the expensive
intricate and ineffective devices that
have been suggested, would continue
these abuses and work great hard
ship upon every part Of the Com
monwcalth., In it's final analysis 1t
will be found that tax lodging does
not pay. even in those communities
where it has, been successfully prac-
ticed for SO nAany years, for stranger
will not invest where they are asked
S75 or 500 per acre for land which
they find assessed ut from IS to ST.
per acre; and YET to continue to de-
press their assessments. On the other
hand ban is placed upon the cont
munities where the assessments are
reasonable and just. To comply STIR :
" with the letter of the law j"
assume burden which is not
in Justice or in equity and
not be blamed for hestitating
the burden that belongs in pat
others. Thus the system produces
most deplorable condition of affairs
and dwarfs all efforts TO secure an
equalization of the tax burden.
The segregation plan, proposed
by minority of the State Tax Com
mission, would correct this growing
evil. 1t would permit each communi.
" to retain all the taxes deriv:d
from real estate and tangible per-
Soual property. and there would nc
longer be any incentive to underasS-
ess such property. The tax rates
could be lowered rs values Increased
and the burden Upon the people
would not be increaSd proportions
tely with the assessment. Alexan-
dria County, Fairfax County and
Alexandria City would save many
thousands of dollars by the adoption
OF the segregation plan. 1t COM
manis the approval Of the great
mass of the people who have given
the matter due consideration. The
following extract from the Richmond
letter in last Saturdays Washington
Star is significant:
"Those interested in determining
the sentiment of the legislature or
the report OF the tax commission
have been at work for several days
Speaker Cox has ordered the inanc2
committee TO meet here January 6
,,o ,,onk in advance Of tho date sci