Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-01
SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS.

SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
No doubt many readers will study,
with much interest. the communIca-
ton Of "A Democrat" IN our What
tho People Say" column today. for Il
refers 90 a subject that may be said
TO be of paramount local interest at
this timc-the payment OF the filing
tax. II presents material that may
we'll be considered by those whom we
may call our public men. who have
In charge the important matter OF
State legislation and administration.
which is Of such grave concern TO our
people.
No doubt the situation portrayed
by our correspondent is typical. 1t
Is that OF a farm purchased only six
teen years ago. the taxes on which
At that time amounted. all told. TO
about $40 a year. now being taxed 20
a total Of $3.50 n year. which is a tre-
mendous increase. And the only bene-
nt tho owner derives from this enor-
nous increase in taxation is a stretch
Of improved road, which is something.
20 be sure. but very small return
FOR the Increase ot taxation. Multiply
this incident 20 the extent Of the sit
ua,ion it represents. and II will be no
surprise to know that the commu-
nifty Z, becoming restless and insist
ent in demands for relief.
Very pertinent are the questions
put by our correspondent in respect
of the consequences. Of an enforce
ment OF the drastic provisions OF the
Filing Tax law--with penalties Of a
nns OF $500 or Imprisonment for six
months. or both. for refusal 20 pay
II is. indeed. an interesting question
how the application Of these penal
ties would enable the victims TO pay
the tax In many instances. such en-
forcement would amount virtually tc
conascation.
However. these conditions do not
apply 70 the present situation. The
law is here. and here It VIII stay unti
the assembling Of the next I.egisla.
ture at Dover In January, 1928. for IN,
regular session. That the obnoxious
unjust and deservedly unpopular pro.
vision will be repealed during tha
session is assured. But the situation
points n moral. and should challeng,
the serious attention of harassed an,
formented taxpayers. especially thos
residing in the upper part Of the State
Taxes have increased and are in
creasine. The cost Of State admin
istration is fairly staggering whe,
compared with that Of only fev
years ago and taxables fail 20 Sc
wherein they are benefited 70 an ex
tent that begins TO keep pace wit
the tax impositions. Now let then
ask themselves what they are goin
to do about IL. Do they propose I
follow the beaten paths OF the pas
although they must know that 10 d
90 will not bring the slightest reliet
but on the contrary will increase IA
seriousness OF their situation?
The Filing Tax law is now bein
administered and Il is the duty G
the administrators 20 collect the Ia
20 the last possible dollar. no matte
vhar distress may attend their per
formance OF duty. They must collec
from all who are willing 10 pay. an
proceed relentlessly against eli VIII
prove recalcitrant 10 the extent {
refusing payment. The administrator
OF the law have little or no discr'
ton as TO this matter.
So the EVIL must be endured unit
the day OF deliverance comes throug
the Legislature. and the people WI
choose the Legislature that will ha,
authority 20 extend relief. VIII the
allow the regulation Legislature. col
trolled by interested politicians Inter
upon serving only their own end
60 be chosen at the election next fal
II they do they may bid farewell
sll hope Of relief from the oppressic
Of unduly heavy taxes.
Now is the time for interested Ia,
payers TO begin operations. In son
sections OF the State they formed o
Eanizations, recently. with the purpo
Of endeavoring TO have their interes
looked after. but Il will require mo
than this. They must take the matt
IN hand themselves and by close 2
,ention TO both primaries and the ele