Evening star., 1933-06-10
Washington Taxpayers Pro-
tective Association Confers
With Commissioners.
PROPOSED 20 PER CENT
CUT HELD INSUFFICIENT
Spokesman Warn City Heads That
Conditions May Cause
"Strike."

Demands for the largest possible slash
in the tax burden borne by the District,
coupled with an indirect warning of the
dangers of a possible tax strike" were
placed before the District Commits
sioners today by spokesmen for the
newly-formed Washington Taxpayers
Protective Association, who declared the
proposed 20-cent cut in the tax rate
for the year beginning July would
not be sufficient nor as much as could
be ordered.
The group, said to represent property
owners paying between and 10 per
cent of the real estate taxes, insisted
that a 20 per cent reduction in taxes,
amounting to about $4,2e3, 600, is the
least to which the taxpayers are entitled.
Radical Action Opposed.
While insisting that the association
has not and does not now indorse radi-
Cal protests against high taxes, such as
a taxpayers strike, the group warned
the city heads if the impending tax cut
is inadequate there might be danger
that taxpayers deliberately would re-
fuse to pay up next September"
The group, headed by Berkeley L.
Simmons and Rufus S. Lusk, submitted
a lengthy statement on the Districts S
financial outlook for the new fiscal year,
contending the facts indicate 20 per
cent reduction in the tax rate is both
possible and proper. The group, how
ever, did not say whether reduction of
the tax burden should be accomplished
by a cut in the tax rate or in real
estate assessments, or combination of
both, leaving that to the discretion of
the city heads.
The hearing was private, but the as
sociation released statements of its
arguments. This is the second time
within two weeks that the Commissioners
have heard vigorous demands from or
ganized washington citizens for a con-
siderable slash In the tax burden.
Only last week, spokesmen for the
Federation Of Citizens Associations ap-
peared before the Commissioners in
support of their demand for 20 per
cent cut in real estate assessments.
Unless the new civilian District Com
missioners are appointed and qualified
IN the next day or two, the present
1OoAA RAdAlo W IdhC dCtlOu very
ly in deciding on the tax rate for the
new year. Heretofore they have indi-
Gated they will cut the rate from ITO
TO $3.50 or S1.55, depending on estimates
OF revenues, and realty assessments as
ordered by Assessor William p Richards.
The pincipal arguments submitted for
the new taxpayers body by Mr.. Lusk,
statistician, concluded with this warn
ing:
District officials will do well to con-
slider prayerfully the tax cut to be
granted during the coming year. This
association has not and does not now
indorse radical protests against high
taxes such as a taxpayers strike
However, others, including fairly in
fuential groups, have urged that the
taxpayers of Washington strike unless
the taxes are cut as much as Is possible.
If District officials make fair cut, no
one would be justified in refusing to pay
his taxes if able to do so.
Strike Danger Seen.
"But if the cut is inadequate. and a
cut of 20 cents, as has been suggested,
cannot be called either adequate or
fair, there might be danger that tax
payers would deliberately refuse to pay
up next September. This would be an
unfortunate condition which might en-
barrass the District considerably.
"It certainly can be avoided if the
Continued on Page 2, Column g.