Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-27
$1.2O TAX RATE WILL
PASS, HACKERS SAY
Will Go Through Councils To-
morrow Without Hitch, Mayor
and Advisers Assert
EXPECT BIG MAJORITY

with members of both political factions
In Councils lined up in favor Of n 81. 20 tax
rate on realty for 1917. Mayor smith and
his financial advisers are confident that the
measure will be passed tomorrow without
any serious opposition. only a small mi
nority OF members In both branches has
declared against the move to put the city
on a pay-as- -you-go basis and. unless the
opposition develops unexpected strength the
tax bill will he passed by an overwhelming
majority in both Common and Select Coun-
ellis.
In order to he completely prepared to
meet any opposition that may arise fnai
conferences on tax rate questions were
held today by the Mayor and councllmanic
fnanclers back OF the move to wipe out
tho city's annual deficit Chairman GAIT
ney of Councils Finance Committee will
call up the bill for passage In Common
Councils and will engineer It's passage
through that body. In Select Council the
interests Of the bill will be cared for by
a combination OF political interests. in
Guiding Charles Seger, the Penrose-Mc-
Nlchol leader OF the Seventh ward, and
William Finley. Ware leader of the Thirty
ninth Ward.
OPPOSITION LINES UP
Opposition to the bill is expected to come
from small coteric OF Common Councilmen
who stand with the United Business Mems
Association and Other organizations which
have consistently tough, any increase since
the question OF the tax rate has been under
discussion. The most active organizations
In the opposition movement are the North
Philadelphia Real Estate Brokers' Associa-
ton the Real Estate Board. the North
Philadelphia Business Mems Association
and many other organizations that are
affiliated with the United Business Mems
Association.
Tho plan OF campaign adopted by the
opposing bodies is to food the mail of the
members of Councils with postcards Or
protests, and It was declared today that
10000 OF such cards would reach members
Of both branches today. The opposition also
plans to I'LL the galleries OF both chambers
with real estate dealers and business men
opposed to the change as silent protest"
against the action planned. That the pro-
test Is silent viii be seen to by the SER
Reants-at-arms of both chambers who have
their instructions to maintain order and
prevent an unseemly demonstration.
ARGUMENTS PREPARED
The arguments TO be advanced in oppo-
slton to the proposed rate will be along
the line that Sl20 tax rate together
with other unexpected revenues will give
the city n surplus of more than 81 100000
that can he used early next year for any
purpose then decided upon. IL will be
argued that the city without serious re-
suits could easily borrow enough money
to make up any deficiency resulting from
a continuance of the present rate, and that
by 1918 new legislation could be enacted
that would give the city ample revenue
under 81 rate on realty
Should the opposition develop to n point
where II becomes necessary to defend the
increase, Chairman Gaffney, of the Finance
Committee, will explain the need for the
change, and will place himself fatty on
record as opposed to any return. even for
single year, 10 the present system OF
paving interest for thirty years on deficit
created by the purchase of supplies and
sthe payment of salaries.