The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-06-12
TAXATION UNSUITABLE

for opinions an To the best solution
Of the present street car situation. I
think this matter involves prin.
ciplea that are vital % the well.
bcing Of our city and wish TO
present some ideas that may too
easily, be overlooked IN the stress
OF tho moment.
believe u Ia entirely equitable
to every one concerned that a per
son riding on our street cars should
pay In fun for tho cost of his trips
and that no harm can come from
tho following OF this policy. on
the other hand I believe II IN In.
equitable and dangerous TO follow
policy under which a person rid
ing on n street car should pay only
part Of the cost OF his Transports.
ton and the balance shall be raised
by taxation. In this latter case the
small home owner living In the
suburbs and using our street car
system will be paying part OF the
cost OF his rides on our street car
system In the form of fares and he
will also be paying for tho balance
VI INV t'nA w hah ftb'H tft Wv A'tNf
of additional taxation. lie viii also
be paying by taxation for part Of
| the cost OF rides OF many other
persons who are not property own.
err. similarly the man living down
town or close 10 downtown. who can
walk To business and as a result
rarely uses the street car. will be
paying. thru taxation. IL he owns
property. part OF tho cost OF the
rides OF many persons who are mol,
taxpayers. Such a system. be-
iieve. Is thoroly incaul,abie and en-.
eournser and benefits irresponsible
persons, the noaters and drificrn In
our city. TO the detrimrnt Of the
hom~owner and the taxpayer.
Tho proposal is now advanced
that the farer be raised 10 . rate
that viii pay the operation charges
OF our street railway system. hut
the balance Of the n~cernary funds
covering the Purchase price OF the
system be raised by general tar.
alton. fsb-lieyc this Ia ineauisablc
and that the investment costs as
well as the. operation and main.
t~nance OF our lines should BE-
charged In tho car fare rate. This
Ia especially true because II can
be done In an equitable manner
that will prorate tho cost over the
bong period OF :, years II IA of
course logical that q person should
contribute In some measure to the
cost or at isast pay interest on the
cost OF an automobile or railway
system that furnishes means OF
transportation This should Also
apply TO transportation on our
street railway system.
would at this time can attsn.
ton 70 the city ordinance No. 1905.
known "a the Plan. System and
Bond Ordinance. passed BY tho city
council December list 1919. ap-
proved by Mayor Hanson. being the
ordinance providing for the purchase
Of the traction system Of tho city
Of Seattle as submitted 20 the voters
OF this city and approved By them.
Section OF this ordinance reads:
The city Of Seattle further binds
itself to establish and maintain
rates for transportation upon such
municipal street railway which shall
provide for sufficient revenue 10
permit such sums being paid into
such special fund which the city
has pledged to set aside s~fnian'
nuaiiy for Interest and annually for
principal as mreln provided TO be
applied 20 the payment of principal
t rrf "a
authorized until such hpnds have
been paid in full. and. In addition
thereto. all costs OF operation and
maintenance. and all bonds. warrants
and Indebtedness for which any rove
nuer OF such system have her~sofore
been previously pledged
The people voted OF, mis- plan Of
purchase ar proposed In this ordh
nance and at this time the direct
instructions and the only authorize
ton from the people Ii In this
ordinance Of purchase. This ordi
nance provides ann describes both
the methods that shall be followed
in the purchase and In the opera
ton OF the street car system. IL
In manifestiy improper for our
municipal authorities 10 secure the
authorization OF the people for the
purchaa. Of a transportation yys.
tenn under certain stipulated terms
and conditions. and. after the trans
action In closed. To disregard the
conditions under which the authori.
zation was given.
Thus far have discussed our
problems from the standpoint OF
equity alone. wish now to call
attention 10 the other very I'm
portant consideration. which is that
OF expediency. am deeply Of the
conviction that any solution Of our
street car problems that will require
funds to be raised for the system
from general txation will be ex.
tremeiy dangerous. I would call at
tcntion 10 the present txation sys.
tenn In the city of Seattle under
which the property owners here
are not only paying higher taxes
per unit OF value than In any other
| city OF our size in the country, but
In many comparisons we find our
taxation In twice as high or higher
than competitive cities. We compare
unfavorably with other coast cities.
During the past few years un.
fortunately. too many concrete ex.
amples can be given Of new Indus
tries and new enterprises that have
considered but rejected our city In
favor OF other Coast towns This.
OF course. affects the prosperity and
well being OF every one In our city.
New Industries and increased popu-