Evening star., 1922-05-03

That Washington citizens are
united in a solid front against the
proposed change in the stax condi-
tions in this city was evidenced last
night at a meeting of the board of
directors of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce, when the resolution of
the laws and legislation committee OF
that organization protesting against
any change in the local tax system
was unanimously approved. ..
Washington civic organizations
now present a united opposition tC
what is termed unfair and inequit-
able" proposals of the conferees Of
the House and Senate who seek to
increase tax rates and assessment
valuations in the District OF Colum-
bia
On Monday the directors OF the
Washington Board of Trade not only
showed their disapproval of the new
tax plan but President Bradley was
authorized to appoint two commit
tees, one to draft complete and
comprehensive resolution to present
to the full board at it's meeting to-
night at the City Club. and the other
to cooperate with other local organi-
cations in fight to the finish" with
Congress, against the proposals.
Merchants on Record.
Yesterday afternoon the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association went
on record as emphatically opposed to
the proposed changes.
The following petition, prepared by
a special committee of the association
was unanimously adopted by the gov
ernorS:
AT meeting of the board of gov
ernors of the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' Association of Washington.
D. c.. representing twenty-six lines OF
trade. the conference report of the
District of Columbia appropriation bill
was considered and the following pc
tition to the Congress of the United
States recommended:
"First-The conference report pro-
poses, contrary to established pro-
cedure, to increase assessment ana
other taxation provisions without CIV
ing the residents of the District OF
Columbia an opportunity to be heard.
in absolute violation Of the estab-
lished principles of the American gov
ernment, and particularly unfair when
applied to body Of people who are
without the right of franchise ana
confined to petition, to which we no"
respectively resort.
"Second-We recognize that the
residents of the District Of Columbia a
should and do pay just and falr
taxes in the same proportion as the
citizens of the United States at large.
The business interests of this commu- :
nifty at large have no desire what
soever to directly or Indirectly dodge
or otherwise evade the payment ol
any and all just and fair taxes.
"Third-We are firmly of the belief
that not only is the plan out OF tune
with good and fair congressional or
der. but the purposes to be achieved
are unbusinesslike in their purport,
unnecessary when the needs of the
community and the nation are con-
sidered, and especially when, comins g
at a time when business and inoivid-
uals are sincerely trying to meet an
economic situation. The effect OF the
proposed legislation would be to ar
bitrarily increase the cost of living
without affording compensating re-
turn of any character for the nation
and its capital.
"RaiIrOadins" Assailcd.
"Fourth-If, in the opinion of Con-
gress, the method or amount of taxa
ton as applied to the residents of
the District of Columbia is not fair
or reasonable, the question should
be approached in q practical and legal
separate legislation on which the tax
payers OF the District Of Columbia
would be given an opportunity for
hearing and for a free and full con-
sideration of all Of the equities in
volved rather than through what ap-
pears to be a ''railroading" of unfair
tax levying. the inequity Of which
is hereby affirmed.
tFifth-We therefore appeal to
each and every member of the Senate
and House Of the Congress of the
United States to forthwith set their
influence against an enactment Of
the conference report with respect
to the increase of taxation as above
stated.
"By order Of the board of governors
Of the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association, in meeting assembled
this End day of May, 1922.