Evening Star Newspaper, March 24, 1926, Page 4

HOW MUCH TAXES SHOULD WE PAY FOR 1927 BUDGET? Are Not Our Property Tax Twenty Millions and Per Capita $43.21 High Enough? MUST WE INCREASE OUR $1.70 TAX RATE?} Eattorial Correspondence of The Star. BY THEODORE W. NOYES. 1118 The statistical table printed yester- day sustained the contention that tax rate and standard of assessment val- uation are as a rule in inverse ratio, one being high as the other is low. In this comparison Washington stands next to the bottom in nominal tax rate aniong the cities compared in the ea and at the top, tied with four | * other citles, in high percentage rela- tion of assessed to true value of propert; The same lesson is taught by census comparison between the States (in- cluding the District) in respect to the relation of assessed to true value of real estate alone (see “Estimated Na- tional Wealth,” census bulletin, 1922, page 5). The following table presents the carefully considered figures of the Census Bureau's decennial report on national wealth, debt and taxation. [Table 2.1 FROM U. S. CENSUS REPORT, 1922, Per cent of estimated true value of taxed real property and improvements represented by assessed valuations: 1922 Ry RS P Maine Maryland Massachusel Mivhigan . Minnesota . Mississiopi . Missourt New York S Pt Carolini 9200 03T -1UA IR TV 3BT BN ] B BN BB D3 o 0 D D S5 B e A 5 0 '8 '8 g 5 8 0 2 0 1 7 0 0 5 2 5 1 7 1 : 0 8 .7 0 .2 3 5 '8 0 3 8 o 4 0 7 0 0 3 amersazROD BRSRSEE n This table shows the District at the top of the list, with 90.8 per cent of true value represented by assessment, and Towa, 12.7 per cent; South Caro- lina, 20.3 per cent, and Illinois, 24.1 per cent, at the bottom. High Assessments—Low Tax Rates. The following table, showing the to- tal and per capita assessed valuations in 1928 of cities of low tax rates and h assessments on one hand and of of high tax rates and low assess- ments on the other, supports and strengthens the same contention. The citles of low tax rates far ex- ceed the other group in total and per capita assessed valuations. Cleveland, with 936,485 population, exceeds in assessed valuation Chicago, with 3,995,289 Yopulallon (more than three times as large as Cleveland), by $361,114,745. Ch! , six times as large as Washington, has less than 50 per cent larger assessed valuation. m}‘n :lalr’ u.pnn.l-aaesa‘g:l vul.:‘untion the lo es, omitting Cleveland, range from $1,389.26 to $2,457.01. The Iill- nois cities, omitting East St. Louls, which is freakish as an Illinois city and approximates St. Louls, Mo., in assessments, range from $208.93 to $697.08, the latter figure being Chi- cago's per capita. Washington's capita is $2,574.97 if the Census reau’s estimate of 1825 population is used in the calcula- tion, and is $2,715.99 if the police cen- sus figures of November, 1925, are adopted. In either case Washington in per capita assessed valuation heads the list, exceeding Cleveland's $2,295.16 as well as Chicago’s $597.06. THE 000,000 of exempt perty of all sorts, is on account of the higher standards of assessment employed and greater fullness of inclusion of all les on the tax list greater than the valuation of the whole of larger, richer Bt. Louis; nearly as much as the whole of more populous and far richer {ndus- trial Baltimore; a little more than Newark and New Orleans combined; a little less than Minneapolis and New Orleans combined, and more than Den- :frhl’mvldence and Louisville com- n Incredible Conclusions. Who Is there in all the world who belloves that if taxables were listed for taxation with the same fullness and if the same standards of assess- ment were applied in these other cities that are in Washington these comparative valuations would result? Who believes that the taxables of a fraction of Washington with a popu- lation of distinctly moderate means, Incking multimillionaires and costly Industrial plants, in fact exceed in value the taxables of the whole of Louis? Or more and New Orleans combined? Or nenrl: as much as those of Minneapolis and New Or- leans combined? Or more than those [Table 3.] Total and OHIO. . Claveland Cincinnati 0 . . Petersburg . Lynchburg . Winston-Salem, N._ C. . Washington, D.” C, mates, 1025) . Police census, D. 0, 1928 ~Jacksonville, Fia 5. Charleston, S. C. ... . Columhia, S. C. TOWA. {30 ¥resno. Cal 193. Pueblo, Cols. Assessor Richards has a series of tables and dlagrams which with ex- planatory comment illustrate vividly Washington's comparatively high standard of assessment and the com- parative fullness of its inclusion of taxables in the assessment roll. Let us broaden the scope of com- parisons of assessed valuation by con- trasting the Washington figures with those of some other cities than those given in the above table. Assessed Valuations 1925. (National Municipal Review, Dec., 1035} | 1925, $1.282,003.104 197.870 636.081) | w, ashinton . 1282 (850,836 | §t. Louts. . New Orleans Minneapolis Newark . Baltimore . | st Paul. | Providence Louisville nver . . ‘Washington’s total assessed valua- tion, excluding approximately $475, D. C. EYESORES AND DIRT WILL FOLLOW BELT LINE, IS CHICAGO’S TESTIMONY (Continued from First Page) touched by the freight line has been injured as a residential center be- yond repair. ““The belt lines have been most det- rimental to all suburbs they touch,” declared L. T. Kelly, manager of one of the largest realty campaigns here. The E., J. and E., for Instance, has injured our property in many cases where it abuts on a freight line. That yart of Waukeegan near the terminal is impossible as a residence district, and North Chicago is mostly commer- al eems almost impossibla to me v one should consider building 2 belt line where it is not absolutely needed. The residential districts along the road would be ruined be- vord a doubt.” Can See Nothing Worse. Robert F. Bartlett, head of the com- pany which bears his name, holder of the title of “the largest real estate sub- divider in Chicago,” joins in the gen- eral opinfon. “I can't imagine anything that could lie worse than to build a belt line sround a beautiful clty. It seems impossible that Washington should consider any such plan. T should not presume to talk authoritatively until T had become familiar with the de’ tails, but Washington—the National Clty—the beauty spot—ringed with a lelt Une. It must be some mistake."” That's what he says, and more, which is perhaps unprintable. And so with It “hicago people who have fostered the growth of Chicago know intimately how important the railroad and the freight belt are to Chicago, the railroad center of the continent. prosperity. They don't want their children to grow up perpetually breathing dirt not intended for the human lungs. “It bofls down to this in any city which wants a belt line,” he con- tinues. “Do the suburbs want the railroad bad enough to move away if it is built? Would the commercial benefit of such a line pay the sub- urbanites for the necessity of selling out and finding new homes at a safe distance from the road?” That is the general opinion in Chicago—city of noise and hurry; smoke and soot, of occasional days when the lights must be turned on at noon. Infringement Is Charged Injunction was asked of the District Supreme Court by the Black and White Taxi Co. against J. A. Fitz- patrick. 730 Ingraham street north- west, who, it is claimed, operates an automobile for hire using the same colors which mark the cabs of the company. The court is told that the public is misled by the similarity into thinking it is engaging a cab of the company. Attorneys Simon, Koenigs- berger, Young and Brez appear for the per_capita assessed valuations, 1925, From National Municipal Review, December, 1925. 467,008 472,053 ! | San Francisco BEEERRE23 GE3A25R EE2REIRRI3L: Al $2. @ i ErRTots B0 oimie Didew-lioiatid: qkb;—hwa’w'—:: ! iz et o P e e e RO 25 Do s o Do AFRERCZDS o 832230523 GZHIST 2333 R mDoRs LaD 1,282,003.104 1,282,003.104 - 65.830. BR.AR4.064 43,605,848 46,684,809 85,246,145 of Denver, Providence and Louisville combined? Who belleves that the taxed frac. tion of Washington really exceeds in value the whole of such larger, richer cities as Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Buffalo and Milwaukee? Who believes that if the same stand- ard of measurement is applied that the taxed fraction of Washington will be found almost equal in value to the whole of San Francisco and Milwau- kee combined? porenrs Assossed o sghy Aan 150 Enqiosnfozn 02:203.610 755,220,851 Pitteburgh . Buffalo .. Milwaukes Washinglon {poiics ber: T628) 1.282.003.104 Our High Standard of Assessment. The census report of 1923 sustains as strongly as the 1925 figures Wash- ington’s contention and demonstra- tion that its standard of assess- ment is so high in comparison with those of other cities that its com- paratively low tax rate is offset and JAPAN RAISES TARIFF ON WHEAT AND FLOUR Committee of Peers Protests In- \ crease as Tending to Advance Living Costs. By the Assoclated Press. TOKIO, March 24.—The House of Peers yesterday passed the bill, al- ready adopted by the lower house of the Diet, increasing the tariff on wheat and wheat flour. A committee of peers, however, passed a resolution deprecating the advances and urging the government to take steps to halt the probable increase in the cost of living. The tariff fixed by committees of the Diet and now passed by the peers, places a duty of 1 ven 50 sen per 100 kin on wheat and 2 yen 90 sen on wheat flour. A kin is approximately 1 1-3 pounds. The present duty Is 77 sen on wheat and 1 yen 85 sen on wheat flour. o It you need work, read the want columns of The Stau S MEN'S SUITS .. PINDLER'Q ALL and DELIVER LEAN and PRESS Main 2704 its total tax burden is on a level with those of other cities. Washing- roperty assessment should Pflm with other cities. No other city has so much property exempt from assessment and taxation as Washington with its hundreds of millions of exempted Government property. Washington is denled the millions of taxables in the shape of fmt industrial plants which the large commercial cities enjoy. Here Uncle Sam, exempt from taxation, is the great am‘x’llnyer and _industrial lant owner. Since only a fraction of Washington is assessed and taxed, and since its exempt fraction con- tains its greatest industrial plants, the assessed valuation of Washington should be comparatively low. In fact, however, owing to higher standards of assessment and to the inclusion of more taxables on its assessment roll, Washington heads the list among the citles of ize, and equals or sur- ml that of many larger, richer ol Causes of Our High Standard. ‘There are several obvious reasons why Washington has a higher stand- ard of assessment valuation and a fuller and more impartial application of that standard than most other American cities. The assessors in many other cities, politically elected or appointed, confessedly Inject Into their assessments the factor of political and personal favoritism and a certain per- centage of under-assessment. Espe- clally in regard to business properties is this inevitable and expected. In ‘Washington, where the assessor 18 not elected or appointed by the taxpayers, and is not responsible to them or to any faction among them, underassess- ments on political grounds or through personal favoritism are practically eliminated. In many other cities there s constant pressure by dominating taxpayers to reduce or avold assess- ments; in Washington the assessor has been subjected to a series of prod- dings by non-taxpaylng members of Congress, the District’s legislature, in successive years to higher and higher assessments of different classes of property, now of unimproved lands in accordance with single-tax principles, and now of business properties which, in accordance with the habit else- where, have been assumed to be un- derassessed. In some States gross inequalities of assessment have been confessed in the different counties of the State and in the assessment dis. tricts of the same county or city, and there has been noted a competition in underassessment between city and county districts in making up the joint assessment roll upon which State taxes were to be levied. It is recorded in officfal reports that millions, espe- clally of tangible personal property, are thus grossly undervalued in the countles and hidden in the cities. In Washington an assessor of long expe- rlence, honest and capable, has been able to apply a high standard of as- sessment with approximate uniformity to all parts of the compact area to be assessed, and with a high degree of fullness of inclusion of taxable prop- erties upon the assessment roll. The relation of assessed to true values in Washington has been ascertalned and proven to be close by periodical com- parisons on a large scale of prices ob- tained in actual sales of property with the assessment valuations of the same property. The assessorship-here i3 stable, not fluctuating with municipal elections. The system of assessment which our assessor has developed in Washington is scientific, tending toward uniform- ity, accuracy and equity of asse ment. It contrasts with the hapha ard assessments, lacking uniformity, that are prevalent elsewhere in the United States. Our assessor’s gystem, tested periodically as to accuracy by comparison with sales prices, is that approved by the census authorities, by the Congressional Joint Fiscal Com- mittee in 1915, and by former Repre- sentative Evans in making a minority report from the Joint Congressional D. C. Surplus Committee. In the light of these facts it is not surprising that whenever comparative assessments and tax burdens are thoroughly and scientifically tested, whether by the census authorities (as in 1922) or by congressional com- mittees, as in 1915 and later years, the District assessment is placed near the top of the list in proximity to true valuation and its tax burden is found to be adequate. HAS RARE PRIVILEGE. Baron Has Right to Keep Hat on in King’'s Presence. LONDON, March 24 (#).—Michael Constantine de Courcy, Baron King- sale, is the only man in the United Kingdom who may, if he wishes, keep on his hat in the presence of the King. || The peer enjoys this curious privi- lege by virtue of a hereditary prerog- atlve granted to 8ir John de Courcy | il in the reign of King John, for con- quering Ulster. History records that this privilege has been exercised five times, the last occasion being in 1859, when John de Courcy, successor to Gerald, Lord Kingsale, stood with his | head covered in the presence of Queen Victoria. EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. 0, WEDNESDAY, 29,500 BALANGE OF CHARITIES' GOAL Half of $59,000 Sought and 2,837 Givers Already Secured in Drive. Cleveland Perkins, as chairman of the special Easter campaign commit- tee of the Associated Charities, in a statement issued today invited the interest and co-operation of the Wash-; ington public in obtaining the funds required to carry on its family wel- fare work In its current fiscal year. On this committee with Mr. Perkins are Dwight Clark, Franklin H. Elis, William J. Flather, jr.; Charles C. Glover, jr.; Arthur Hellen, Coleman Jennings, E. Lee Jones, Newbold Noyes and Richard H. Wilmer. “Our hope in this campaign,” said Mr, Perkins, “is to broaden the finan- cial basis of our assoclation’s service by increasing the number of contribu- ting members, the goal being 10,000 givers as in previous years. It was found necessary by pur board of managers to enlarge the budget this year from $55,000 to $59,000 in order to meet the rising volume of the de- mands for relief and care, as indicated by the records of our workers. Half of Budget Secured. “‘Already many of our old friends and members have renewed their con- tributions, some of them with fn- creased amounts, so that as we enter on this Easter campaign we have a running start toward our goal with 2,837 contributors making a total to date of $29,500 and leaving half our budget, or $29,500, y&t to be obtained. “We are sending out a large num- ber of subscription blanks with return envelopes and with some a _letter asking popular support for the human salvage service rendered by our work- ers throughout the city. The effective and constructive character of this service, which s non-sectarian and in- terracial in scope, is well ilustrated by a few instances briefly recited on the back of our letters, with names and places carefully disguised. Varfous Sums Sought. “We have had printed a supply of small folders designed as invitations to new members, attached to each be- ing a subscription form with state ment of the several classes of mem- berships, as follows: Capital, $100; sustaining, $50; supporting, $25; spe- clal, §10; active, $5; assoclated, §2. These invitations, old members an friends, are asked to circulate among prospective members, or if the names of possible givers are gent to our com- mittee at Social Service House, we shall be glad to mail out the Invita- tions to all such. “Many of our regular contributors have found it more convenient to send in their contributions in two or more separate payments, part in the Fall and the balance in the Spring. If any such additional payments are now sent to us during the Easter cam- paign, these will be credited toward the goal of 10,000 members. It Is hoped that all who feel able to do so will enter a higher class of member- ship than heretofore and that in this way our larger budget may be met."” DEATH CAUSE FOUND. An autopsy at the District morgue, performed by Dr. Herbert E. Martyn, deputy coroner, revealed that Mrs. Mary M. Loesche, 70 years old, pa- tient at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, who died suddenly there yesterday morn- ing, came to her death as the result of a rupture of the heart. Coroner J. Ramsay Nevitt ordered an autopsy when he learned that the woman had fallen to the floor of a corridor while she was being sup- ported by two nurses. Physlclans at the hospital were unable to ascribe the definite cause of death, believing that either a stroke of apoplexy or the effects of the fall could be re- sponsible. Dr. Martyn discovered that the heart muscles had given way. NEW HOME W.R.SPEARE Ca UNDERTAKERS Founded 1879 1623 Conn. Ave. Branch 4209 Sth St. N.W. (Petweorth) Phone Potomac 4600 ALMUS B. SPEARE CLYDE J. NICHOLS Free Foot Comfort MARCH 24, 1928 to date for the FAMILY WELFARE and CHILD-CAR- ING work of the Associated Charities and Citizens' Relief Association. lm wid Service. Wil you be ene to give as u feel able, using the fol- ! rwlnl blank: givers are urgently to carry on this city- non - sectarian Social Inclosed find §...... MEMBERSHIPS: 2.00 pecial Supporting . 26.00 Sustaining .. 50.00 MILITARY SCHOOLS RESENT GRITICISM Association to Combat Propaganda Emanating From Pacifist Sources. Resenting what they consider un- fair criticism of the military schools of this country from pacifist or unin- formed sources, the Ameociation of Military Schools and Colleges of the United States, at its thirteenth annual convention in the Washington Hotel this morning, decided to appoint & committee t# investigate the feasibil- ity of awasding scholarships in Amer- fcan miMtary schools to European boys In an effort to combat this propaganda. Several speakers emphasized that the military academies are first of all sound academic institutions, prac- tically none of whose graduates fol- low the life of a professional soldier. By devoting the spare time to mill- tary training, these speakers asserted, the boys are not only greatly bene- fited physically, but the military train- ing would be of great value to the country in the event of war. Beliving that most of the propa- ganda had its origin in Europe and is then spread over this country by pacifists using uninformed persons as their mediums, the association feels that awarding scholarships to Euro- pean boys in these academies will gn a long way in combating the idea that these schools Inculcate a militaristic tendency. The convention, which will last two days was opened this morning with a report from the committee on ad- vertising and publicity. This was followed by reports from the committees on relation with the War Department, academic standing and establishing an honor soclety. Several addresses dealing with Snm- mer comps, combating contagious diseases and advantages of the ‘mili- tary schools will be given this after- noon. = Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, Rear Admiral W. A. Moffett and president " OUR ENTIRE BUSINESS Now Loruted in Our Own Bldg. CLAFLIN e S Ord Preston, Treasurer, Joint Finance Committee, Associated Charities and Citizens’ Relle? Association, 1022 Eleventh St. N.W. ease indicate class of membership) (Payment may be made in instaliments.) BT Willlam Mather Lewis of George ‘Washington University will speak at the annual banquet at the hotel tonight. The election of officers will be hell tomorrow afternoon and will b followed by a general discussion of willitary school subjects. Ee e HAMMERSTEIN’S WIDOW TO IMPORT FRENCH OPERA Sailing Boon to Bring Back En- semble for Tours Here as Wish of Late Impressario Husband. Complete French ensemble to pro- duce grand and light opera will be brought to America this Fall by Mrs. Oscar Hammerstein, widow of the im- presario, she announced yesterday afternoon following an interview with officials of the French embassy. Walling April 3, Mrs. Hammerstein | plans to go to Paris to assemble the nucleus of an entire company of French artists. She expects to open | the tour in the United States about the middle of November, with limited engagements in various cities urter a season in New York. Saying her plans had been very favorably received at the French em- bassy, Mrs. Hammerstein declared she desired to present several French novelties which have been produced in Paris and Monte Carlo lately and| a number of new artists, and, in ad | dition, to give a few performances | of “Salome,” “Carmen,” ¢ “Thais,” “Romeo and Juliet gler of Notre Dame,’ ‘Manon, ‘Sapho” and “Zaza." She explained that she was preparing to carry out the “most cherished wish" of her husband I 529 «~.a name and a place~ ramercy GWATHMEYS NOW HAVE DECREES FROM 2 STATES New York Adds Divorce to Texas Writ in Martial Difficulties of Cotton Broker. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, March 24.—Mrs Isabel Coomes Gwathmey and Archi bald B. Gwathmey, cotton broker, are divorced In both Texas and New York sm! following & favorabie decision in tfe Supreme Court yesterday on suit brought by Mrs. Gwathmey. Mr. Gwathmey previously obtained & decree in Texas, marrying Mrs. Betsy Chapin Judd Gwathmey, who was then named corespondent in Mrs. Gwath- mey’s action, brought because the Texas divorce was not recognized in this State. ‘The decres makes no provision for alimony. 6%‘ uBmggds First Mortgages priacipal and isterest of which are GUARANTEED by an eutstanding SURETY COMPANY May be purchased it de- sired on Morris Plan of deferred payment and §% paid on installments THE MORRIS PLAN BANK Usder Supervision of U. 8. Tressury 1408 H Sereet N. W. Summer Home in the Mountains at BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA. (Sixty miles on macadam road from Washington) New Home on Monterey Avenue, Opposite Golf Club Attractive cottaze w bedrooms and b and bath Summer ,200.00 TERMS IF DESIRED Waggaman & Brawner, Inc. 723 17th St. N.W. 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Here at Mayer’s the newest Arm- stron sho patterns are on display, ng appropriate patterns for bedroom, sun parlor, reception hall or where not. quoted. A few are Armstrong’s Embossed Tiles But they know, too, and are ready to tell what the belt line does to make a v unfit to live in—unfit for the en- syment of life by any human. Quit Areas of Dirt. is known to the world that and thrived on smoke and dirt,’ Mr. Bartlett, ‘but the n who e made fortunes in the - DEMONSTRATION THURSDAY—LAST DAY Beven persons out of every ten have some form of foot tronble. It may be weak or arches, weak ankles, corns, cal NECKTIES, 3 FOR A QUARTER broken-down wth of the city have moved away Touses or bunions or probably a case of tired, aching, painful feet. PLAIN ONE-PIECE 31 50 [ ] from the railroads that brought their of what be the nature of your foot suffering, S e~ . you will find quick lasting relief at our store during this epecial demonstration. Foot Comfort Expert from Personal Staff of Dr. Wm. 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