The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-04-25
Realty Taxpayers
 Meet In Washington
Ask for "New Magma Charta of Taxation" at Opening
 of Second National Conference Today

Washington, D. O., April 26-Ad- dressing the National Conference of Real Estate Taxpayers at the May flower hotel here today, Myers Y. Cooper, Cincinnati, former governor of Ohio and president of the con. ference, called for the creation by congress at the present session of 6 commission with authority to go into the whole matter of taxation, national, state and local, make an analysis of our taxation problems and evolve for us a suggested long range tax policy for ell three levels of government.
 "The question transcends parti- sanship," he said, land obviously must be kept out of the political zone in the studies and recommend ations made. Successful diagnosis of the situation could result in great reduction in the cost of federal, state and local governments. It would remove the guess work that permeates the whole taxing struc- ture.
 Our tremendous preparedness program we must go through with regardless of cost. But while public attention IS focused on huge federal spending, only the first fraction of which can be paid for through the S3M billion of new added federal taxes, let us not forget that the home base must be kept sound. We much practice economy in the con duct of local government as 1t has never been practiced before If we are to come out of this conflict with the opportunity preserved to start over again with an assured future and to continue the American way of living.
 Let us have a new Magma Charta of Taxation to modernize the struc. ture to the end that no man shall be called upon to go beyond his ability to pay in meeting the costs of government.
 President Roosevelt and Secre- tary Morgenthau have both ex- pressed hearty approval of Q f1a- tional commission such as I have been discussing here. quote from the presidents budget message: NO really satisfactory tax reform can be achieved without readjusting the federal, state and local fiscal rela- tionships.' MT. Morgenthau has stated: It is generally recognized that real estate taxation in most sections of the country is unduly high,' and while stating that this IS not primarily a federal government matter, he adds: The development of plans which may have tendency to tighten the burden Is certainly to be encouraged"
 Tax Equity Necessary
 The problem of assessment of real estate for tax purposes to take ac- count of the actual income value or use value of the property, and the practical operation of an overall limitation on the real estate tax rate, already in force in nine states. are central subjects before this sec. ond annual meeting Of the confer ence, which Philip W. Kniskern, president of tho National ASSocla. ton of Real Estate Boards, pointed out here today Is "the first collabor. ation we know of in our national history between all those interested in real estate tax readjustlnent." In view of the gravity of the present tax problem, he said, the time has come when some overall action must be taken toward an equitable establishment. National-state- local study would aid.
 Speaking for the Mortgage Bank ers' Association of America. Byron T. Shutz, Kansas City, Mo-, mmedi- ate past president of the association, pointed out that, Equitable local, state, and federal taxes are not sec. ondary to but are an essential part of the present emergency Not only the defense program, but the future of this country is dependent on Q sound national economy, and equit- able tax structure"
 Philip 0. Hodill. Pittsburgh, pres, Natl. Assn. of Building Owners and Managers, said:
 Business recovery and the pros- perity which this country has striven for so many long years to recover E impossible to obtain 50 long as real estate, which is the basic source Of wealth and prosperity, Is allowed to languish and decay. And, there can be no recovery until the tax Struc- ture affecting real estate Is adjusted with due consideration to tho earn ing capacity of real estate"
 Louis J. Taber, Columbus, Ohio, master of the National Grange, em- phasized the meaning of real estate tax readjustment not only to the farm owners and home owners of the country but to the whole stabil- ity of our economy in the defense period.
 James McD. Shea, Washington, D. O., past president of the National Apartment Owners association, stressed the value of Q national ir- terchange of state experience in real estate tax adjustment such has become possible through the perma- nent organization of Q National Con- ference of Real Estate Taxpayers.
 Rate Limitation Only Remedy
 Speaking from the ten.year ex- perience of the state of Washington with an overall limitation of the real estate tax rate Ca 40.rnill limi- tation on a 5o% valuation. equiva- lent to a 29s limitation on true val ue) Major A. A. Oles, executive sec- retary of the Seattle Building Own ers' and Managers association, stated emphatically:
 "A limit, fixed by state law or by the state constitution on the total tax rate which can be levied against real estate Is not only practicable,