Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-08
the General Assembly.

Hartford, Conn.,, April 7.-Proposed revenue raising measure originated by the committee on finance which met with great opposition at the capitol this aft ernoon was that which would remove fraternal and other societies which have dues-paying members from the list Of those exempted from taxation.
 The bill follows: The property of any corporation. association or society which IS authorized to enact bylaws or rules requiring members or share holders thereof to pay dues for the support Of the same or which is supported in whole or in part. by dues or assessments upon it's members and which has for it's object CT purpose any fraternal social or ec- ciesisstical or religious benefit. other than church or ecclesiastical orga nization, shall not be construed as exempt from taxation under the provision of any act public or private. The provisions Of any public or private act inconsistent here with are repealed.
 Tax Commissioner Blodgett spoke for the state and was the only one to avor the bill. He said that the committed s problem cf revenue raising WAS difficult of solution. Yesterday the manufacturers and members If the chamber of com merce asked the committee to tax others han themselves. All the session the committee has been listening to appeals that when taxes are laid they be laid - on someone else The financial situa- :icn is serious one.
 In the country at large it is estimated hat s35,000 .Ooo, 900 worth of property is free of all taxation. In the state oYel taOo. .Oo0. 900 worth of property is tax ex- smpt. Of tdis amount little over s25.- 700. DOC worth of property belonging tc he Y. Mo l tho Masonic order, the Changers. the hAks, the Odd Fellows, th' Knights of Columbus and other organ ,rranizations of the character of these IS ,xempt from the taxes. Societies have ,een coming to the legislature to get tax exemption by special legislation and tney nave been allowed to come in under thu -eneral law of exemptions. The loss ol evenue ;s making serious inroads into he finances of the state. The committee nay have three ways of handling the problem To let in all societies that ---.lc any sort of charitable work as tax ex' .rnpts to follow the bill; or to decide tt ,xegnrt no more.
 In inc first instance the states loss il revenue would be still greater; in thu second it would make every organiza tion not an entirely charitable body pa its just dues to the state; and thirdly, l would be unfair to keep out societle hch are just the same as those whici have been exempted. Already twenty O thirtv societies have asked. for tax .ex ernptions this session. Can the com n,ttee discriminate against these?
 Mir Blodgett said the practical ques ton is do you want to exempt these so .;etSes?'' He took for exauille the '. ,. A, to which ne was a contribute and said that those who backed the or -anization would probably be glad t make up what is paid in taxes in erde n .souare the deed with it's intention. Only one Knights of Columbus buildin is exempt, but every other local counc has just the same right to come to tn legislature to ask for an exemption a the one which has it now.
 Referring again to the Y. NJ. C. A., h said that in Hartford it has propert valued at ss05.0 900 which is exempt a though in it there are rooms which ar let and a restaurant which is in comp' tition with hotels. In Hartford S42.OOo poo worth of property pays no taxes ol of a grand list of s2O6,0eO,OOO. M Blodgett said he quoted the Y. NJ. c. merely to illustrate point and not . discriminate against it.
 Senator Trumbull, chairman of u committee. said that as the commits Eot into this taxing question it was col yinced that the tax exemptions wei wrong. The committee feels that
 would be recreant to it's duty if it d not con slider the i'll effects of the exem ions and try and devise remedy.
 MT. Bidwell Of the committee ask' hr Blodgett if bill could be fram' which would assess an organization ( he basis of the portion of it's work whit was commercial and exempt it on wh was purely charitable. or if princiF rouid be established as a guide in u future. Mir Blodgett said the law
 principle would endure no longer tn; he finance committee saw fit to stand t.
 Senator Butler said he came to the le stature determined to ask the state help out Middletown by paying somethi 3n the Connecticut hospital for the sane and the girls school, but on arri ing he found the state to be in such c ,urnstances that he had not the coura 10 ask that taxes be given to the ovt ourdened city.
 Several members of the legislature ss that they had had quantities of, lette pro. ting against the bill. The comm tee Zen heard opponents to the bill " were out in force, representing many { .ieties.