Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-04


own district.
The actual loss, as shown by the
county collector, under the new sys-
tenn is conditional. He estimates
it at $2.766.64, If the city collectors
were only paid two per cent. in
stead of five per cent. commission.
But with a total cost of $19,500 for
last year and an estimated cost of
$22,500 this year. even that differ
ence could be wiped out and the
county would save money, officials
claim. Each year the cost of collec-
ton increases under the present sys-
fem, which is far from satisfactory
they say.
The Letter
The letter follows:
To the Editor of the telegraph:
In an editorial of the Telegraph"
dated May 26, you stated that Sena-
tor Frank A. Smiths Senate Bill
No. $40, if passed and approved.
will save the county over $4,000
each year. If you will study the
matter more closely you will find
that your statement is very mis-
leading and far from the true facts.
Last year under the law now in
force. it cost the county $17,666.4S
to collect the county and personal
tax with collectors in each district
in the city, borough and township.
If the collectors in the Harrisburg
districts would have received the
same commission as the borough
and township collectors, the cost
would have been $7,343.12 less and
the cost to the county would have
been only $10,S29.36. (The Harris
burg collectors receive five per cent.
and the borough and township col
a..
during the rebate period when most
of the tax is collected)
The Smith bill provides for one
collector, deputy and at least three
clerks for the office or cost of
over $4,000, which must be paid
by the county. Postage will cost
at least $1,000, as this office is do
ing business with more than $4,000
taxpayers and each one must re-
ceive his tax bill by mail. Office
supplies, including stationery, type
writers, adding machines, furniture,
ETC., will cost at least $1.500. Travel
ing expenses for the collector and
his assistants will cost at least ST.
600. The collector and his assist
ants must be in each district in
the county several times each year.
as they do business with many thou
sands more individuals than the
mercantile appraiser and other
county officials. The county and per-
sonal tax will be far more difficult
to collect than the mercantile and
dog taxes and the hunters license,
because they do business with many
more people and this is the hardest
money to collect in the world. Ask
any of the several collectors in the
county. The approximate cost to
1,A 4a.y l.. . i.
Smith bill is passed and approved.
would be at least $12,SO0. A gain
to the county of S4,466.4S and a loss
of $2,766.64 if the city collector
would be paid the same as the other
collectors. Besides the county will
lose quite a few thousands of dollars
each year under the new bill be-
cause the county collector cannot be
after and in touch with the thou
sands of foreigners, people who
move from place to place, and other
kinds of tax dodgers. The local col
lector is in closer touch with such
people because they reside near him
and is acquainted with individuals
and will therefore gather in the
taxes much better than the collector
who has his offices in other parts
of the county.
have been a collector in this
county for over ten years and I am
sure I know something about this
line of business. Personally, I can
not see how the Smith bill will save
even one or two thousand dollars
over $4,000 is far from the figure.
I cannot see anything but loss to
the taxpayers of the county in much
needed revenue.
If this bill saves so many thou
sands of dollars why was it limited
to counties with populations of 1885,
600 to 100000? IF it is a revenue
saver for such counties, why does
it not save revenue for counties with
populations above or below these
figures? Is it proposed to make
county offices for Dauphin and a
few other counties?
If our law makers want to save
the county so much revenue why
don't they give the city collectors
the same commission as the collec-
tors in the other districts in the
county, or If they want to be fair
with the borough and township COL
lector. why don't they increase his
commission?
I am sure that the above facts
are clear to you and any citizen of
the county and the same should be
brought to the attention of the mem
! bers of Legislature now in session
and the Governor before it becomes
a law. Please use your influence to
have this bill KILLED. before it is
adopted I am in favor of any law
that will increase the income or
revenue of our State and county, but
am sure that I made 1t clear to
you that this will diminish ut by
several thousands each year. Please
take the Fifth Annual Controllers
Report for 1918 and am sure that
you will see for yourself that it is
| impossible for the county to- save
over $4,000 each year.
Respectfully Yours,
A Dauphin County Tax Collector