The sun., 1918-12-15
CITY'S TAX PROBLEM
WORST IN HISTORY
Authorities and Individuals Alarmed
Immediate Action Demanded
Must Solve Trouble Now

The Mayors Committee on Taxation
IN to hold public hearings on Wednes-
day and Thursday Of this week for the
purpose of solving the vexing tax
problems which confront the city.
Nathan Hirsch, chairman of the COM
mittee, wants free discussion OF the
problems. He wants to know whether
the present system Is wrong or just
what is the trouble. The situation is
yesterday. and 1t cannot be passed
over. The city and the taxpayers Of
New York have reached the point
where immediate action is demanded.
Mr.. Hirsch frankly admits that the
cost Of government, as a result of ex-
banding municipal functions and for
other reasons, has advanced faster
than the income producing power Of
the city, and the result has been a
steadily advancing tax on real estate
TO a point where It approaches con-
1scation.
which may result In considerable losses
In revenue to the city of New York
serve to bring more forcibly to the at
tention Of every one interested in the
welfare of New York city the neces-
sity for immediate measures of relief.
s6"The bone dry law will mean a
great loss in revenue. Senator Henry
NJ. Sage. chairman Of the Senate
Finance Committee, announced the
other day that the cost OF State gov
srrment for next year would be
vat. 100000 more than last year, as
against an estimated loss in revenue
of 81. 100000.
"Other conditions such as losses
through subway operation, increased
salaries Of city employees and the in
creased cost Of supplies for city de-
paftments make II imperative to seek
new sources Of revenue, and 1t may
be necessary to even change funda-
mentally our methods of taxation.
z am informed that various in
terests have prepared, or intend to
prepare. certain bills for introduction
ct the next session Of the Legislature.
81 am afraid that We are going to
procedure which has characterized the
position OF New York city relative to
tax bills for the last five or ten years
when practically no relief has been
obtained because they were not prop
erfy presented and supported. Lack
of unison has given rise to suspicion
IN Albany regarding the efforts Of as
sociations and individuals for tax
legislation.
q,7@Recognizing this situation, the
Mayors Committee on Taxation has
decided to attempt a coordination OF all
the opinions Of real estate men and
others who have studied taxation prob
TENS, for the purpose of preparing a
bill or bills which will represent the
product OF their united efforts and
which will be supported not alone by
the city administration but by all OF
the real estate organizations, taxpay-
srs and citizens at large of Greater
New York.
Public hearing will be held in the
Aldermanio Chamber. City Hall, on
December IS and 10. at p. NJ. The
Mayor will preside at the meeting on
the first day and addresses win be
made by Comptroller Charles L Craig.
Alfred G. Milbank, chairman OF the
taxation committee Of the Advisory
Council OF Real Estate Interests, and
by Robert z. Bowling, chairman OF the
taxation and the legislation committee
OF the Real Estate Board. On Thurs
day. addresses will be made by State
Comptroller Eugene NJ. Travis, Jacob
~, Cantor. President of the Depart
inent of Taxes and Assessments; Stew
art Browne, president of the Real Es-
tate Owners Association, and Senator
James A. Foley.
I'm a further effort to obtain the
best prevailing opinion relative to the
tax situation the committee on tax
alton has sent out the following ques-
tionnaire to leading real estate men
and others qualified to express an opin-
ion, with tho-seQuest to answer:
sFirst-Is the present system OF
taxation wrong?
-Second-What in your opinion are
the fundamental defects?
"Third-How In your opinion can
these defects be remedied2
'Fourth-Are you in favor Of tax
on personal property
"Fifth-Are you In favor Of State
income tax and a business tax?
AN additional committee will be
organized. to be known as the New
York City Citizens Real Estate Com
Tnittee, which is expected to. cooperate
with the Mayors Committee on Taxa
ton, so that it will be in a position to
have the Corporation Counsel draft the
necessary bills for real estate relief"