The Typo That Made Seattle the Most Taxed City in America

The startling misstatement printed in the 'World Almanac' that the rate of taxation in Seattle was $12.60 on each $100 has been traced to its source by the Chamber of Commerce, and formed the principal topic of discussion at the weekly meeting of the trustees yesterday. The erroneous statistics were furnished 'The World Almanac' by Comptroller J. M. Carson, whose inadvertent disregard for the value of a decimal point led him to write $12.60 with the last two figures above the line and carefully underscored, instead of $1.36. The original statement of Mr. Carson is now in the hands of the Chamber of Commerce, having been forwarded by Senator Squire, to whom it was sent by the editor of 'The World Almanac' in defense of the printed statement. The chamber also has a letter from Mr. Carson giving the correct rate of taxation.

In a letter to President Graves Senator Squire explains the manner in which the misstatement was brought to his attention and the reason why he investigated it. A memorial was submitted to congress by the Citizens' Association of the District of Columbia on the subject of equal taxation, assessment, etc., of the principal cities of the United States, stating that the information had been taken from 'The World Almanac,' and had been furnished by the mayors of the respective cities. Mr. Squire thought an injustice had been done to Seattle, and he wrote to the editor of the New York World on the subject. He received a reply from George W. Olney, editor of the 'Almanac,' enclosing the statement of Mr. Carson as authority for the printed statement. It was the printed blank sent to Seattle and returned, bearing the Seattle postmark of October 18, 1892. The date at which it was sent was Mr. Carson's excuse for giving the assessed valuation of 1892 and the tax rate of 1892, the tax rate for 1893 not having been made up at that time.

Mr. Olney, in his reply to Senator Squire, says: 'I enclose our authority for the figures which appear in the almanac. The error, you will see, is not ours. I beg you will return the blank to me after inspecting it, as we desire to keep the vouchers for our printed statement on file. We cannot hope to make a book of statistics of such bulk as the almanac absolutely accurate. The human eye and brain are not equal to it. But we try our best to approximate perfection.'

The documents were submitted by President Graves, and after some little discussion it was determined to make public the correspondence. Secretary Whittlesey will write Senator Squire an explanation of the figures and the latter will have them corrected in the memorial before congress.

The following letter from the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce was received:

'In view of the signs of the times, which predict a great prosperity for this section of our country within the next twelve to eighteen months, and taking into account the close business and social relations which exist between our two cities, would it not be wisest at this time for the boards of government of the Chambers of Commerce of Seattle and Tacoma, in conference or by correspondence, to endeavor to secure the good will and co-operation of the daily press in efforts which shall set forth the business and social advantages of each place instead of devoting their columns to the traducing of citizens and bringing into disrepute the financial status of the two cities? In these times to discredit one is to discredit all, and if the citizens of Seattle and Tacoma allow the newspapers to discredit them in ways which have recently been adopted, then we may expect that capital — which is always timid — will seek other opportunities and different locations for investment.

'The board of trustees of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce believe that you are in sympathy with these views and hereby invite correspondence on the subject with a desire to arrive at unity of action at the earliest possible moment.'

The letter is signed by G. L. Holmes, president; George H. Stone, first vice president; W. C. Wheeler, second vice president; G. K. Cleveland, treasurer; R. Hudson, Calvin Phillips, D. S. Johnston, T. W. Humes and W. H. Fletcher, trustees.

This letter caused a good deal of discussion and the general sentiment seemed to be that the chamber should meet the Tacoma organization half way. Messrs. Prosch, Dunn, Ramsay, Graves and Heilbron were appointed a committee to draft an answer to be submitted at the next meeting.

A letter from J. P. Fankey, stated clerk of the general assembly of United Presbyterians, was received, in response to an invitation from the chamber, saying the delegates to the general assembly would be in Seattle a few hours on May 20 on their way to Oregon.