Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-29
AGAIN THE FILING TAX.

ANAiN M.
The Dover Index, in returning 10
the defence of the unpopular and inn
practical fling tax imposed 10y the
new laws, lays stress upon the un-
disputed fact that many persons in
Wilmington have for a long time en-
Joyod immunity from any form of tax |
payments except the impositions Of !
their share of incidental taxation aris- |
ing from payment of rents and other /
expenses of living. And so it sup /.
ports the iling tax as a means Of COM |
polling them to assume some portion |
of dhe burden of maintaining public |
schbols, In which they have as much |
interest as any other class of citizens,
1t appears from the discussion by
Wilmington newspapers and citizens
OF the three dollar films tax of the
Income Tax law" says the Dover
Index. that Wilmingtons citizens
have never paid head tax for
schools, and therefore n large part,
probably n majority, Of its citizens
have SO long enjoyed schools without
having 60 contribute TO their support
that they have come To consider their
10 ID
schools are common benefit and
their cost should be borne as "a COM
mon burden. \ very large percent
age of those immune citizens educated
their childrens In the public schools
and many of fiem were educated
there themselves. \ very large num-
her were far better able to pay
school tax than the property owners.
hut one had his property in something
that was not taxable and the other
had u In n home or other real estate
that could not escape taxation. In
other parts Of the State the former
class paid school taxes on head
assessment. II should have paid in
Wilmington. So far as We have seen
there has not yet been single good
reason assigned why every citizen
save those excepted for reasons stated
Ia the law should not pay a three
dollar flins Zee 90 become a part Of
the income tax which now goes 10
support OF public schools. Whining
ton'a thousands OF tax immune citi-
zons VIII pay this fee II the law &.
enforced. and II Il is not enforced we
shah soon discover the reason why"
Yes, all of us will know the rea-
son why" before long. and it is prob
able that some. including our Dover
contemporary, will be vastly enlight-
sned by the results. When II comes
60 compelling hundreds Of men and
women who have very little income 70
make returns Of. IN far too many in
stances no incomes az all. to go through
form OF making returns and to pay
tax Of three dollars for imparting
this interesting and painful informa-
tion TO the States representa- tlves
there II bound To be a large number
OF recalcitrants who will make no re.
turns at all. and will pay no three
dollars tax. by reason Of not having
the money. This Is fact already ap.
parent.
We agree with our Dover contem.
porary that many persons in vii.
minrton have long enjoyed immunity
from payment Of direct taxation
Years ago. all who desired To vot,
were required To pay a capitation tax
bat this slight exaction was objected
60 by Republican politicians. VIII,
found the payment OF this tax a bur
den upon their party at each election
as the taxables refused TO pay, pre-
ferring voluntary dlsfranchisemen
80 far as they were con
oorncd. Next came the new
Constitution. with its Requirement
Of the modest fee OF one dollar 10
getting registered 60 vote al the ensu
ins elections. But this also was gal
90 the Republican politicians, and a
soon as their party gained control O
the State they secured AN amendmen
90 IN. Constitution abolishlng the reg
istratlon tax ana making voting abso
iutely free. This change imposed
loss upon the public treasury at tina
time of nearly $4,000 blennially. an
today, with the women entitled to IN
privilege OF franchise. II means a los
OF a, least 100000 each two years.
Why suffrage should be as free a
air IN Delaware Is one OF the mysterie