New Britain herald., 1929-08-23
Increase In City Taxes Condemned
 At Property Owners Assn. Meeting

all kingdoms and countries of that period
 The collection of taxes and du- ties was a task that involved effort, wisdom and sometimes the resort to arms and compulsions Many wars and revolutions were caused in the early times as result of complica- tions due to imposing of taxes un- justly.
 AS we reach the 18th and 17th centuries the same repetition ap- pears in taxation. Drastic laws were inaugurated by various governments of Europe affecting the collection of taxes. whereby the offenders were imprisoned and tortured as a pun ishment. Still later the French rev olution was the result of severe and crushing taxes imposed upon the poor working class by the ruling autocratic government The entire nation was reduced to a state of mis- cry and poverty, for which the rulers paid dearly.
 "The same predominating cause called forth the American revolu- tion whose first slogan was, No tax ation without representation The ever prevailing irritation of unjust taxation began with the act of the with the successful American revo- lution.
 "So much for the past and as we approach the question to be discuss ed tonight affecting our own city, I want to state that the present ultra system of taxation is very complex and surrounded with great difficult ties. But our public officials who are connected with the taxation problem have had sufficient political and economical experience to do better than what is seen from the results.
 "The real estate field at present is stagnant as there are many empty tenements which have de- creased almost 40 per cent. The losses in property value exceeds over 50 per cent. A good many honest and sober real estate investors have suffered severe losses without any outlook for any improvements. Taxes, in spite of all the unfortu- nate situations, have increased and our political representatives have displayed stupidity in raising the tax rate without any consideration to the property owners. Our city represent tatives are not property owners and as a class they do not know the se- were losses and problems the aver age taxpayers of this city suffers.
 "When approached and question: ed on the matter they accuse their opposite political parties. The com mon council accuses the finance committee and then onto the school board.
 Calls Local Taxes Cruel
 "The local taxes are crushing, cruel and unreasonable to the prop ertv owners who are ignorant Of the place where they may appeal Tor help The present system of taxing | is the next step to robbery. empty ing our pockets, as plain DICK pocllet would do and at this l draw | the line"
 | John Smolak stated that about a third of the property owners met with great difficulties in raising 1a$ money. "You are not questioned IT the amount is beyond your means he persisted, "and you, tax payers CT New Britain, are induced to pay the full amount on an announced day He continued by dwelling on the ln- crease of wages in the city govern ment officials.
 It was stated at the meeting by Chairman Greenstein that after all branches are well organized and the association has a membership of about 5000 a picnic will be held which the entire membership of the association will attend to celebrate i the first anniversary of the fouAd- 1 ing of the Citizens Property owners
 l,No