The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-06-05
President Angel
Protests Recent
Legislative Bill
40 Acres of Woodland, Owned By University in West
Haven, Valued at $l,50O an Acre-Adjacenf
Land Only Worth $500 Per Acre-Long Existent
Yale Charter Is Being Ignored

Yale does not claim or receive
exemption from taxation of land
which produces an income by rea.
son of fees for parking privileges
for automobiles.
In addition to the payment of
taxes as such, the Yale Athletic
Association paid to the Police De-
partment of West Haven for polio
ing athletic events in West Haven
$2,496 in 1930-31, and $1,663-
80 in 1882. Furthermore, the
athletic association has in the last
two years made substantial con-
trfbutions to the relief of unem-
ployment in West Haven. as well
as in New Haven.
Only a small portion of one hole
of the Yale Golf Course is located
In West Haven. The rest of the golf
course is in the town of New Ha-
ven.
Considering the larger aspects
of the question, it should be en-
phasized that for two centuries and
quarter the people OF Connecticut
haxe exempted from taxation prop
erty of Yale, except real estate in
this state affording more than
designated annual income. Iales
charter exemption Is expressed III
Section 1173 of the General Stat
utes, together with the exemptions
from taxation of the properties OF
other colleges.
Yale's charter long antedates the
constitution of Connecticut. but the
policy was reiterated when in 1918
the people adopted Section l of
LII 80 constitution nf
Connecticut, which reads:
"Sec. l. The charter of Yale
college, as modified by agree
ment with the corporation
thereof, in pursuance of an act
of the General Assembly, pass
in May, 1892, is hereby con-
firmed."
On May 26th, 1898, there was Of
fered in the house of representa-
tives an amendment to a substitute
for house bill No. 462. The amend
ment provides in substance that
land used for athletic purposes and
improvements thereon shall be SUBJ
jcct to taxation II owned by or held
in trust for any private educa-
tional organization If located In
any town other than that in which
its main educational activities are
being carried on. On that day the
bill was passed, and, under sus-
pension of the rules. transmitted
to the senate. On May 18th, the
next day when the general as
sembly was in session, the bill was
passed by the senate, again under
suspension Of the rules.
This seems q hasty way to re-
verse policy of Connecticut un-
der which, since 1884, property of
churches and colleges has been ex-
empted from taxation.
The subject Is too important to
be dealt with piecemeal, or with
out due elaboration. The bill Is a
limited attack on q principle OF
great importance. Small as 1t Is in
it's immediate effects, this legisla-
ton would go far to impair pub
lie confidence in the great Connec-
ticut policy of higher education,
which has contributed SO largely to
make Connecticut what it Is.
Undoubtedly the people Of Con-
necticut will insist upon the con-
tinuance of institutions OF general
higher education. They have built
their educational system upon the
basis of endowment of tax-exempt
liberal colleges. So far this has
seemed to them preferable to ap-
propriating money for tax-support-
ed universities, as In other parts OF
the country.
Yale's athletic properties are
used in promoting Yale's educa-
tional policy of all-around develop
mcnt Of its more than five thous-
and students, over fifteen hundred
of whom are residents of Connec--
ticut. Contrary to the ideas. OF
some people, Yale athletics are now
being carried on at heavy finan-
cial loss. If there were net income
from these operations, 1t would
not md its way to any private
pocket, but would be used for the
support and development OF the
students physical education.
In my opinion, the policy which
has encouraged the growth OF our
great eastern universities has been
wise one. Tax-exempt endowment
has been a great contributing rae
tor in the development of these IN
stitutions which are unsurpassed In
the western world.
| I am certain that the policy
should not be changed without full
elaboration and discussion Of the
whole subject. Such a careful study
has certainly not been made IN
connection with the amendment to
a substitute for house bill NO. 462