The Washington herald., 1922-05-01
RALLY.
RAPSPROPOSED
TAX INCREASE
Practically All Civic Or
ders Represented
At Stadium.
ASSAIL
CONFEREES' ACTION
aeclare They Exceed Au:
thority-Seymour Re-
veals "Joker."

Hilge tax increase proposed by the
.ouse and Senate conrerees or the
Is District appropriation bill by
,eakers at a mass meeting of resi-
fnts and taxpayers in Central High
ihool stadium yesterday afternoon.
Practically every civic and busi-
sss organization in the city was
presented
Amidst vociferous applause speak
rs pounded home the following
s.cts concerning the proposed in
ease:
That the tax increase is not nec-
=tsary.
That according to the rules
hich control conferences, the con-
arees had no right to recommend
ich legislation.
That the proposed increase on
sal estate will prove a blow TO
ome building.
That the effects of the increase
= ould extend to every man, woman
I'd child in the city and would hit
lrdest those who are struggling
-,r the bare necessities of life"
Seymour Reveals Joker.
The meeting was called to order
nOLndS D. DOnONdHs PEcSluChN VI
lie Central Citizens Association,
Id was presided over by Charles
Baker, president of the Feder-
ion of Citizens Associations
A Joker in that part of the appro-
-4riation bill concerning the 6O-4o
Ian of distributing the city's ex-
snses between the District and the
government was revealed by Ar
Iur z. Seymour, secretary Of the
hsmber of Commerce, the first
)eaker.
The Joker" Seymour said. is
1ntsined in that provision of the
iii which reads as follows: Such
ems Of expense as Congress may
irect shall be paid on a basis
her than the 60-40 basis
This provision IL carried into
feet would destroy the 50 40 ratio.
@ declared. Congress could at
.=ill order any expenses II chose
sld from appry priations outside OF
ie 800 PLAN 81
Score. Surplus Plan.
The proposal/of the conferees to
cate a surplus fund for the ex-
ed as an extremely dangerous
ep' by Seymour.
s"Congresses may come and Con-
resses may 60. but the District
4 Columbia goes on forever" he
aid. Now, suppose by a revolu-
ion in politics an entirely new
ody Of members should appear in
Ongress- These new members, OBJ
erving the huge surplus fund in
ne Treasury. would say: 'Ha! This
!ty has plenty of money. Why.
OF raise their taxes and increase
leir share of the expenses to 10
sr cent or moreT'
Seymour read a report compiled
a 1915 by a joint Congressional
)mmittee. which he declared
owed there is no justice in the
resent plan to increase taxes.
The report recommended that the
sople here be taxed on a scale
'mparable to tax scales in cities
similar size and population. "The
istrict should not be. made to bear
ie brunt of the expenses" the
port said.
would Boost Prices.
The increase will result in high
- rents all along the line" Sey-
our declared. The butchers rent
his tax assessment will be boost
4. and he in turn will have to
crease the cost of his product.
ie same will prove true of the
'oceryman- 1t will be the fellow
no is struggling for the necessi-
IS in life who will suffer most in
end"
Seymour read the resolution
49, L.,
mmittee OF the Chamber of Com
=.serce Saturday night, showing
here the proposals were unjust
I'd unnecessary. The worst fea-
re OF the legislation. he said, is
lat IL would discourage home
Hiding.
He concluded his address by ap-
aling for a Joining of forces in
e city to protest against the in
sase.
Having united against some
ng we think is wrong, let us
rly. soberly. and honestly enter
.r protest" he said.
Blow at Children.
srs. Mary W. Johnson. chairman
- the civics division. of the Fed
ition of women's Clubs, said:
II we are compelled to pay this
creased taxation thousands of
> ldren will have to leave school
g a go to work in order to help
sir parents rr"af the increase in
Isehold expenses"
She said she believed Congress
ant to be fair with the District
- : was too engrossed in national
tslation to properly care for the
trict's interests.
FRS. John A Logan. aged widow
Gen. Logan, was called on by
,sident Baker, and responded
n her place high -Iup in the
dium.
II these tax increases are put
- effect. she declared heatedly.
will amount to practical con-
alton of our propertN Con-
Is decides what the District
Z Columbia shall do as Ii did for
Indians. The least Congress
do would be to treat us as
~ as It did~the Indians"
fe expressed the hope that Mr..
nour would be made chairman
, my committee of local citizens
,e sent TO Congress to protest
INST the Increase.
1omas Bradley, president of the |
Antngton Board of Trade, de- |
the people must unite for