Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-06
CHAMBER AT WAR
ON TAX EXCESSES'
Committee Named to Make
Study With Object of
Protests.

& E1RfN&08 1NCEC8Se III the gasoline
tax iva the District OF Columbia, as
we'll as the Ing boost in the valuation
~ the local real property for taxation
i purposes. which the Tax Assessor has
announced will so into effect July
next, drew the FIRE OF the board Of
directors OF the Washington Chamber
H Of Commerce ut its monthly session
last night in the Homer Building.
By unanimous vote the chamber,
following a brief but emphatic denun-
citation OF the two proposed increases
ia the local tax burden. directed that
a committee be named 10 conduct a
study OF the whole taxation problem
and 10 recommend early and active
| measures calling for a concerted pro-
test 20 both District officials and Con-
| gress.
| While no vote was taken on the
| proposed increase in the gasoline tax
| as means of providing more ade-
| quate revenues for street improve
| mentS, the sentiment expressed was
definitely in opposition to the move.
Realty Tax "Too High"
Charges We're made that the tax on
| real estate in this city already is too
| high" and that the impending boost
| OF about 20 per cent in the valuation
| of improved property would be ''un-
! fair, possibly amounting in some in
! stances to virtual "confiscation." Pro
/ tests against the valuation boosts,
! speakers declared. were futile coming
| from individuals, and concerted action
| by the major trade and civic organiza-
| tons was pointed to as the only hope
| for relief.
| 1t also was pointed out that with
| the existing full valuation of District
fNF- fax
| trict residents now are paying much
| more in actual taxes than residents in
| many States of the Union where the
| specific tax rate may be much higher,
| but where the valuation of property
| is on the fractional scale of true
| value.
The action Of the chamber directors
was taken following presentation of
| the gasoline tax matter by President
/ Martin A. Leese, who remarked that
| he had learned that some of our big
| he. ted men of Washington had pro-
posed that the gasoline tax in the Dis
trict be increased following the tax
| increase in Maryland.
100000 Paid in 1926.
Mr.. Leese pointed out that the pres
ent 2-cent gasoline tax here produced
! in 1926 more than 100000. in addition
| to other forms of taxation on auto
mobile owners. ut was promised
when the residents of the District gen
erously allowed this tax to be levied"
! he said, that the personal property
| tax on automobiles would be elini-
mated. 1t develops that the elimina-
| ton of that tax was but pipe dream.
| The same promise now is being held
! out, and presumably would be carried
| out in the same manner"
| Mr.. Leese, however said the bad
condition Of many streets of the city
clearly showed the need Of more ade-
quate street improvement funds, and
| suggested a committee make a study
! of the whole problem. But an addi-
| tional gasoline tax, he concluded,
would make the burden on the auto
mobile owners comparatively too high.
Also, he said, the tax on real estate,
especially on owners OF property val
ued at from 81 600 to $4,000. is all
out of proportion to the return posi-
BILE to owners.
Charles w. Darr, James b. Hender-
son, Harry King and others joined in
condemning the increased valuation of
property effective for taxation during
the coming fiscal year. While attack
ing the alleged inequality of taxes on
real estate here, the speakers voiced
full confidence in the honesty, in
tegrity and sincere endeavor" of the
| Assessors Office to provide revenues
| for the operation of the local govern
ment.
The speakers cited numerous In
stances of the mounting tax burden
on realty, comparing the Assessor S
valuation with what they described as
the real or producing value of the
property. The only fair method of
! a M NJ c
the basis Of the productivity" of a
piece of property rather than on an
estimate of value based on the sale
price OF adjoining lots.
Business Property Lease.
In this connection Mr.. King pointed
out that in some cases a concern leas-
ing a piece of property over a long
period often at the expiration of the
lease is willing to pay much inflated
| purchase price for the property in
order to stay in the same location.
Mr.. Darr declared the only solution
was to make the tax burden of the
District direct issue" between the
residents Of the District and Congress.
He urged the holding of public hear
ings before the Commissioners and
Congress.
Mr.. Leese announced he shortly
! would appoint q committee to formu-
/ late q program before Congress con
| Yenes.
| The board Of directors voted to
| invite the Supreme Council of the
| Knights Of Columbus 10 hold its 1928
convention in Washington, following
a report by Mr.. Darr of the movement
now under way to bring the national
headquarters Of the order to this city.
A letter was read from Herbert
Brown of the Bureau of Efficiency
asking the cooperation of the cham
Der in the bureaus survey Of District
affairs. especially in matters relating
to child welfare, health and public
| welfare, and the directors voted to
extend all possible help.
The board also Endorsed Cleanup
week." to be observed here April
$3.50
Reports We're made on the holding
of the chambers third annual indus
trial exposition. and those in charge
and outside organizations and indi-
viduals who lent aid to the show were
extended congratulations and thanks.
Mr.. Leese presided and Dorsey W.
HYDE. ir., was secretary.