The Washington times., 1931-09-18


large small but stimulation must be accompanied by the
removal of adverse factors that discourage and
buying or building homes.
The President emphasizes one of these factors
the difficulty OF financing In tact ne apparently regards
the subject credit in home building with view to paving
the better and easier terms for those who desire to
buy build homes Under conditions that have existed for
years second mortgage money with commissions discounts
and other charges has been almost prOhibtive except to
daring spectators.
These heavy exactiOns for money to be used in
construction must be paid in the end bv the BUYERS of
apartments They first of the burdens
this would impose upon them monthly payments with
interest The innate desire for homes was strong enough
invite taking chances and to the other burdens that
foowed-those of taxes insurance repairs improvements
items of upkeep that could at first be fully appraised
No greater testimonial to the urge of Americans
for their homes could be had than purchases and
strucon under unsatisfactory conditions which have at last
come to be somewhat Of deterrent With the slowing down
of home building wholly unnecessary if satisfactory terms OF
financing could be made and saved unempoy
ment has been added to.
What the President and his advisers do not en-
phasize but what constitutes the MOST SERIOUS drawback
to home ownership in this nation today is the rapidly in
creasing taxation upon all citizens huge part of this
tain Of taxation being imposed real Additional
taxes Of any kind not welcome but when the increases
mostly upon lands and homes there is baking that
foreshadows national menace.
Public men everywhere are calling attention to
This multiplication of tax burdens and of them boldly
assert that 1T IS CHEAPER TO RENT A HOME THAN
OWN ONE The tax problem throughout the nation is
going tremendous ISSUE vital the future of the
nation if is not solved way encourage Americans to
buy build their homes and to feel the independence that
goes with this ownership
"A large part of every citizens income, of every
corporation income now goes to taxes in some form Public
expenditures increase public debts mounting Prices and
values down. Taxes do not. Then taxes mount
legislation continues exempt property owners-poces
that destructive and that add to the vicious circle that
piles upon home owners still greater tax obligations
Washington people should be remarkably happy
chat under bad conditions existing they have fought Congress
to gandst to prevent additional taxation here upon
estate and for special purposes and that burdens
day reasonable than in most American cities We have
little here to stop buying homes building them so
long taxes stay where they and that is most likely
to be the case.
The average american citizen, as Governor ROOse-
velt points out lives under four State
city county and in some instances these layers OF govern
their separate lawentrey too much government and too
much taxation All Of that in this wonderful and
beautiful city.
The single drawback in Washington, standing
alone of all American cities in its onetax system is that of
better easier and cheaper financing in the buying and
srucon of homes that money saved in the original in
vement be kept to meet unexpected expenditures and
to make extra payments the principal family finances
will permit
Washington people will applaud the fGr-sighted-
Of the President to aspects dcouang to home
ownership in this country and will hope that his conference
may be able improve credit terms for if that be done
Washington will be in still envable position in at
tracing mere Weodo citizens oy moderate ates
Of taxation against excessive and unjust rates they
now paying elsewhere
Whether the President or anybody else can inject
patriotism into money lenders remains seen, but the
President and other leaders of this country position
where they influence office holders and voters in all
parts the nation policies of public expenditures and
reductions in taxation At any rate the President realizing
the gravity of conditions throughout the nation IS
on to prevent Congress saddng additional taxes upon the
people Of this city.
1t may be that the tax problem will hit Congress
hard enough for that body to begin have pride in its
management of affairs in the District taking credit for hold
ing tax burdens here down. rather than seeking to
these burdens because other parts of the nation afflicted
with excessive and dangerous tax charges foolish attitude
that has characterized number of House leaders
District citizens and officials should earnestLv
cooperate with the spirit of economy that will
gess at the coming session. Our local budget pruned
to the bone and unnecessary projects the background
justification for pushing appropriations this time for
projects that be deferred until better days to the