Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-30
CHAMBER ASSA|LS
NEW TAX SCHEME
Resolution Cites Seven Rea-
sons Against Conference
Plan for District Finance.
READY FOR MASS Meeting
Citizens Will Voice Views This
Afternoon at Stadium, With
Civic Bodies Active.

Emphatic protest against the fiscal
relations plan as proposed by the con-
ferees on the District appropriation
bill was made by the law and legis-
lapon committee Of the Chamber of
Commerce In a resolution unanimous
ly adopted last night in the head
quarters Of the organization in the
Homer building. Seven specific rea-
sons for opposing the proposition
were contained in the resolution,
which was introduced by James T.
Lloyd. chairman.
All arrangements have been COM
pleted for the mass meeting In the
stadium at Central High School at
2:45 o'clock this afternoon, at which
the citizens OF Washington will be
given an opportunity to voice their
alton. Representatives of civic and
trade organizations are expected to
take an active part in the meeting.
The Central Labor Union at its
meeting tomorrow night probably
will take some action on the plan.
Other civic bodies are planning meet
ings this week, at which similar
action is expected.
Text OF Resolution.
The resolution of the Chamber of
Commerce, which is directed to "the
Congress Of the United States" reads
as follows:
1--WE the law and legislation COM
mittee Of the Chamber of Commerce
earnestly protest against the adoption
Of the paragraph in the conference
report on the District of Columbia
appropriation bill now pending in
Congress which proposes to increase
the assessment valuation on real es-
tate in the District from two-thirds of
its value to 100 per cent Of its value,
to change the rate of taxation on in
tangible property from $40 of
per cent to 5-10 of 1 per cent, and
provides an annual tax of three mil
lion dollars against the District for
a period of five years to create a
surplus fund which shall at that time
equal one years tax for the District.
1--WE make this protest, first, be-
cause 1t is not necessary to change
the assessment valuation to raise the
taxes which the District is required
to pay under the bill as it passed
either the House or the Senate.
Questions Conferees' Right.
Second. Because in our opinion,
the conference committee has no
right, under the rules which control
conferences, to add legislation not in
difference between the two houses.
There is no issue between the House
and Senate on the percentage of
valuation nor upon the question of
providing a surplus fund, and the
conference committee is, therefore,
without authority to insert such
legislation in their report.
Third. Because the people of the
District, who are required to pay the
additional tax, have had no oppor-
tunity to be heard on the merits of
the proposed legislation. The Com
missioners of the District, at least,
should be heard, even if the people
are denied such hearing.
Fourth. Because it is not right
nor just to require the taxpayers of
q given year to pay the taxes. or a
considerable portion of them, for
succeeding year unless it is necessa-
ry to provide for the payment of an
indebtedness due in the future. This
is the effect Of the proposed surplus
fund provision.
Interest Small Item.
Fifth. Because IL 1t were necessa-
ry to provide for interest to the gov
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