Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-25
TAX SYSTEM CHANGES
FAVORED BY GAFFNEY
HIT OPPOSITION SNAG
AuToIsrs PLAN FIGHT

Opposition developed from many sources
to-day against the changes In the city tar
system proposed by Joseph =. Carney,
chairman OF the Finance Committee Of
In An open letter to Mayor smith yester-
day ne suggested a plan under which the
Board Of Revision Of Taxes would lose
much OF its authority and the control OF the
municipal taxation system would De vestcp
IN Councils. He would have the city receive
Some taxes that are now paid 20 the state
he would eradicate the suburban rate on
realty. tax automobiles and Insurance COM
panies and have the municipality receive
the collateral inheritance tax ana the mer-
camille license tar.
p,,f one opinIon was expressed that was
unouaIinedly favorable to Mr. Ganneys
plan. II was that Of James Il. Lennon pres
ident OF Select Council. who. like Mr. GAM
ney, is n Ware follower.
si,ve tust rnished reading an account Of
the letter." said Lennon, and the plan im-
presses me ms being practicable and ad-
vantageous Control OF the taxation sys-
tenn should be vested IN Councils The lat
ter body, being larger than the Board OF
Revision OF Taxes, is more representative
Of the people. Mr. Gaffney's proposition,
think, will make for greater efficiency and
more democracy. And IL will furthermore
bring more revenue TO the city. As presi-
dent of Select Council can give IL my
complete Endorsement"
bOAftD
Dr. Edward b. Gleason. president Of
Common Council Of which Mr.. Gaffney Is
q member, expressed an opposite opinion.
II have felt for years that our taxation
system Is not an ideal one" he said. Il
have known OF many Instances OF assess
ments that are too high In the older, CEN
tral district OF the city and where the val
uation in outlying neighborhoods was far
too low. I have seen many Of these de-
nciencies. But In spite OF these faults.
look upon the Board of Revision OF
Taxes as an expert body. And II Is neces-
sarily a moro efficient body than Councils
would be in the matter Of taxation because
n IL smaller In number.
.H3ut with certain features OF Mr.. Gaff-
ntye plan 1 cannot help but agree. GER
thiniy approve the plan TO tax automobiles
and. although 1 don't own a motorcar, I
can assure you that II had one should
willingly pay n tax on t. The city needs
the money and any plan TO raise additional
revenue can heartily indorse But can
not see the value Of changing the entire
system OF the assessment of property"
stedmAn Bent. president of the Auto
mobile Club of Philadelphia, served notice
on the public that II the tax on automobiles
IN enforced that organization will fight IL in
the courts.
The proposition is absolutely Illegal"
he declared with emphasis. The city Of
Pittsburgh tried II and was overruled In
the courts. The Legislature Of Pennsyl-
vania, two sessions ago. decreed that any
tax on automobiles should be levied ex-
vlusively by the State and that the rev.
enue thereby derived should be devoted TO
The bettermsnt OF the public roads"
EDWIN WOLF DIsAPPRovEs
Edwin Wolf. banker and chairman OF
the finance committee Of the Board of
Education. expressed general disapproval
OF the CARNEY plan, although he favors
the automobile tax His opinion was sig
nifcant because of the fact that he is
the head of the committee which levies the
school tax and spends about 100000 Of
public funds annually.
The Board OF Education" he said
-ievfes It's own taxes. But the amount of
the taxation, as determined by the total
sion OF Taxes If Councils control the real
estate assessments. the school tax. as well
as the municipal tax. will be fixed according
to the councimanic estimates.
But. as general proposition. I think
that Councils should not be given the power
which II is proposed they shall be given
II will only mean more politics. .l--+.
AS far as the automobile tax is con-
cerned, I should willingly pay IL When I
owned horses I willingly paid taxes on
them. Why shouldn't 1 be taxed for my
mctorcars7
"Of course. some OF the automobilists'
organizations will complain. That is TO be
expected Every scheme to add to the
The fact is that the municipality needs the
money and something must be done to get
H."
DOCTOR KEEN SILENT
Dr. W. w. Keen. who recently sent COM
munication to Councils protesting against
any increase In the tax on real estate, re-
fused to comment upon the Gaffney propo-
sition.
Mr.. Carney is making a commendable
effort TO solve the citys financial problems" I"
said Thomas Shallcross. Jr.. former presi-
dent OF the Philadelphia Real Estate Board
and now n member OF its committee on
taxation.
But we real estate men don't feel that
The power Of assessment should be taken
away from the Board OF Revision OF Taxes
We don't feel that the assessments are now
too low and that the city Is losing any
money TO which II is entitled. As a matter
Of fact. the real estate OF Philadelphia is
taxed 70 the limit.
-"At the beginning of each administration
the cry 10 raised that more money is needed
Then the impression goes abroad that the
assessments are too low. The result Is n
discussion Of the powers OF the Board of
Revision OF Taxes and an attempt to de-
prive II OF its powers"
0AFrNEY's STATEMENT
II did not recommend the ievyinr Of
an occupation tax by Councils, TO be effec.
tive next year" said Mr.. Gaffney today.
because apparently II has not been thought
advisable In this city since 1s44. Several
committees on municipal finances have CON
eidered an occupation tax in recent years.
but they all passed II up as undesira BILE
did not recommend an Increase in the
city tax rate on real estate. and will not