Evening star., 1933-06-06
D. {. TAX "STR|KE'
PROPOSAL BACKED
Forest Hill Citizens Adopt
Resolution to Seek Legal
Advice on Plan.

Legal counsel on rthe rights of citi.
zens to refuse to pay taxes" until the
District tax assessor reduces the
assessed valuation on real estate tt
levels commensurate with the drop OF
property values will be sought by the
Forest Hills Citizens Association under
q resolution adopted at its final meet
ing of the season last night in the Ben
w Burch School.
The resolution, introduced by Wilbur
IaRoe, jr., suggests that whereas taxes
have not been reduced in line with
property values themselves, and whereas
tic tax assessor of the District refuses
to reassess property from the values
in force in 1928 and 1929 to lower
levels, citizens may refuse to pay any
further taxes because:
/. They are taxed without any repre-
sentation, and
2. The present assessments are "un-
fair and unreasonable"
The associations Committee on Tax
alton is directed by the resolution to
seek legal advice on the extent of the
rights held by citizens in staging such
O strike"
Copies of the resolution will be sent
to all other citizens associations and
civic bodies.
General Tax Discussion.
Introduction of the resolution by Mr..
LaRoe followed general discussion of
the tax situation at last nights meet
ing and climaXed a series of similar
discussions at previous meetings Of the
association. l.. A Carruthers, advocate
of a reduction of the assessed value of
property rather than a lower tax rate
as means of effecting a relief from
the present heavy tax burden carried
by District of Columbia property own
ers, reafflrmed his stand last night. A
lower tax rate, he insisted, would
merely give Congress "another excuse
year from now to reduce its lump sum
appropriation for District expenses"
Some members of Congress, he declared,
already believe that the Districts tax
rate of S1.70 per 500 of property value
IS low because higher tax rates are in
force in their own jurisdictions. These
men, he pointed out, fail to consider
that the Districts tax rate is based On
full valuation of the property and not
on a percentages of that full value as
elsewhere.
Based on Boom Values.
"And at present our property valua-
tions are based on values of the boom
or inflated years of 1928 and 1929"
Mr.. Carruthers said. "The law requires
the District of Columbia tax assessor
to make frequent assessments of prop
erty and this he fails to do, largely,
perhaps, because it would be impossible
with the staff he has. But, if the
assessed values of 1928 and 1929 were
right, then obviously those values are
wrong today"
The suggestion of tax strike was
made when Mr.. LaRoe asked:
81 wonder what would be the reac-
ton if every property owner in the
District refused to pay taxes on the
ground that the tax assessor was not
complying with the law requiring him
to make new assessments"
Expressions of approval met Mr.. La
Roe's suggestion and later in the meet
ing he proposed the resolution calling
Taxation to seek counsel as to the right
If citizens to refuse to pay taxes under
Ucl1, conditions as exist. -.-..-
Following adoption of the resolution,
Mr. Carruthers said it is "a pity that
I've here in the District have to threaten
10 resort to what might be called mob
psychology to get fairness" The
blame, he said, is due largely to the
fact that we have no representation
in controlling our own affairs"
In another resolution the association
called upon the District of Columbia
Health Department and the Public
Health Service "to recognize the men,
ace" uncut weeds and underbrush pre-
sent in promoting the spread Of the
spotted fever-infeSted tick. In the
resolution the citizens suggest that the
force of park workers now engaged in
various aspects of gardening be used to
cut down weed growths on vacant land
areas and in the parking spaces be-
tween sidewalks and curbs.