The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-11
HoUs|ERS
MOULD PAY Up
PROPERTY TAX


- e
Purchasers n government homes
formed . permanent organization to
protect their rights 1t meeting
Saturday afternoon in the Best
theatre, Fourteenth avenue, be-
tween Thifty-ssvsnth and Thirty
eighth strssts. Ben jacobson was
named chairman and Gale Phil
brook vas named secretary.
Ths purcAassss had invited
Mayer Harry N. Schrivsr. city At
4orney J. X. Scott and Township
Assessor A. y. Nelson to confer
Nlth them on some matters In dis
tuts.
The home buyers asked II they
would be given water rent rebates,
such ~ II the policy Of the city
on all water main extensions. I'm
-dae this system property holders
arc given 10 years in most cases to
pay tor such extensions and water
rent reductions are made from the
assessments. Mayor Schriver in
formed the purchasers that once
they had possession of deeds they
would be entitled TO rebates.
The buyers also wanted to know
whether tAey would have to extend
sidewalks from property lines to
street curbs, and were informed
that they would have to pay the
costs for such extensions, as is the
case anywhere In the city.
Heokle Assessor.
Considerable heckling was done
when Township Assessor A. e
Nelson took the floor to explain
the tax proposition. He told the
buyers that In assessing properties
there was nothing that he could go
by In differentiating between pri-
vAtAly owned and government
owned homes.
However, he said that there was
no question in his mind but that
tho government built homes are
subject to taxation now that they
are In the hands of private persons
The Contracts for deeds held by
the purchasers also show that pro-
visions had been made to this ef-
feet. inaspuch as it Is stated in the
contracts that all general taxes and
special assessments are to be paid
by the purchasers after date of con
tract.
Purchasers have been citing thu
Injunction issued in federal court
in Peoria last year against collect
ing Of taxes against government
homes. However, it is stated tina
this injunction was granted in de
fault OF the county making answel
to the proceedings brought at tina
time by the United States Housin,
corporation on 1919 taxes.
Some Of the property holder
contend that the clause in their con
tracts which declares that all gen
eral taxes and special assessment
falling due after date of contraC
ID not legal. They questioned tn
waving of alleged right Of the pur
chasers to escape taxation as Ion
ID they do not hold deeds. Tn
buyers advanced the theory tina
they could refuse to accept tn
deeds and make regular install
Ynsnt payments under their cor
tracts until full purchase price
paid, aod that In 30 doing the
would be escaping usual taxes
r However, they were advised tina
once they obtained their deeds Al
delinquent taxes would have to
paid.
Sentiment was also espresso
that the government home buyer
are enjoying police and fire pre-
lection and other privileges of Ia
payers without paying taxes, an
nor this reason should pay thei
taxes. 1t n contended that in tn
attempt To escape taxation throug
atechnicality these buyers are lea,
Ing others to pay for police an
firs protection and other advantage
furnished by the city and count,
The $22 charges being made
the legal firm Of Curtis & Simon
son for turning over OF deeds, wa
also discussed. No action was tai
On on this question as word is b.
ing awaited from Congressman '
] Graham, who promised wee
ago to take the case up with I'll
United States Housing corporatio
The buyers claim that there shou
he NO charge in connection OF tran
for OF deeds, while the legal fir
OF Curtis & Simonson announc,
that the charge is not for deliver
Of deeds, but for making out NOR
cage papers and for other expense
tn protecting the government final
cially.