Evening star., 1948-03-31
Realty TaxRise
For Arlington
Schools Is Hit
Dugun Fovors Business,
Auto, Other Levies
Under New.Tux Powers
By Robert G. Rollinos

Daniel A. Dugan. chairman of the
Arlington County Board, today an
nounced he is convinced that add.
tional revenue needed for county
schools can be obtained without an
increase in the property tax rate.
The county board yesterday voted
to advertise tentative increase of
not more than rs cents in the cur
rent $3.25 tax rate. Board mem
bers emphasized they are opposed
to any increase and acted only to
protect themselves and the county
in the event the rise cannot be
avoided. Yesterday was the dead
line for advertising a proposed in
crease. The budget must be adopted
and the tax rate set by the county
board by midnight April 80.
While the general fund budget ts
predicated on retaining the present
tax rate, the school budget Is based
on a proposed increase in the tax
rate of so cents.
Must Stress Equalization.
In seeking necessary additional
revenue for the proposed record
budgets-$4.5S7,813 for the county
government and $3,917,533 for
schools-Mr. Dugan said the equal
ization of the tax load" must be
stressed.
I hesitate to use the words bur-
den or load but the average citi-
zen thinks Of taxation In just these
terms" Mr.. Dugan said. To-day the
pendulum of taxation Is swinging
to levy on people rather than on
property"
In view Of the obvious inequities
existing in the assessments of real
property in Arlington County. 1t Is
not my intention to further impose
upon the individual homeowners
who already carry at least their fair
share of the load" the County
Board chairman asserted.
County Has New Powers.
Mr.. Dugan pointed out that tho
recent session of the General AS
sembly had given the County Board
power to impose business, profess
sional and automobile license taxes
such as previously have been au-
thorized in cities.
In view of the apparent fact
that Arlington Is now a city in
everything but name, it is reason
able to assume that these methods
OF raising needed revenue should be
employed" he declared.
II an automobile tax of $40 per
year were levied, Mr.. Dugan said,
1t would cost Arlington residents
less than half the amount the aver
age homeowner would pay with Q
50-cent increase In the real prop
erty tax levy. The auto tax would
yield about 100000 in additional
revenue, he estimated.
Sees No Objection to License Fees,
Regarding the business and pro-
fessional license tax, which has been
indorsed by the Arlington Chamber
of Commerce, Mr.. Dugan asserted
ne does not believe that Arlington
business would object to a fair and
equitable tax.
Il have discussed the matter with
many businessmen and they realize
that a fair license tax would not
cost as much as a 50-cent boost in
the real property tax levy" he said.
Mr.. Dugan pointed out that busi-
ness concerns in Washington and
Alexandria would be required to
pay license fees for the privilege of
trading in Arlington.
Merchants Now Must Pay.
Our merchants are now required
to pay for the privilege of serving
customers outside the county and
there is no reason, therefore, why
outside business should not pay for
the same privilege in Arlington"
he said. The prices offered Arling-
ton citizens do not reflect a saving
for customers, even though no
license fees are levied. AS a mat
ter OF fact, prices on certain COM
modities are higher in Arlington
chain stores than they are in nearby
areas where taxes are levied"
AO ASFy Va DAsulCSS llSGIlSe LdA6S
should bring a return of at least
100000 per year, Mr.. Dugan as
serted. Combined with the antici-
pated return from the auto license,
the needed additional revenue will
be provided. he said.
VIII Face Same Crisis.
Mr.. Dugan warned that Arlington
will be faced with this same finan-
cial crisis again." adding that "as
long as a proper assessment of real
property is delayed we will lose
more than s1,00o,OO0 per annum in
revenue"
The officials and citizens of Ar
lington should now work for a mod
ern, systematic assessment which
will relieve the situation" the board
chairman declared. Proper assess
ment is the final answer to our
financial problems"