Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-04

5000 with good and sufficient sureties, 70
be approved by the Commissioners, for the
honest and due performance OF all duties re-
qutrcd by law. Every auctioneer and real
estate agent falling TO comply with the pro-
visions of this section, and other operative
laws governing such sales shall, on convic-
ton, forfeit his permit and be fined not less
than 500
Sec. %. That wherever In this act a tax is
deposits, returns for the same shall be made
10 the collector, under oath or affirmation,
on or before the tenth OF January and July
OF each year, and the same shall be due and
payable TO the collector on or before the thir-
tieth. Of said months, and on all such taxes
remaining unpaid after the thirtieth of said
added, aLd IL shall be the duty OF the coIlec.
tor to make demand for the payment OF the
same. For this purpose the collector is here
son, who shall be entitled 70 a commission of
ten per centum on the amount collected, and
II unpaid for three months after the same
shall transmit the account for the same to
the attorney for the District of Columbia for
collection by due process Of law. If In the
opinion OF the collector, the returns required
by law are underestimated, he shall have
power TO examine, either in person or by
deputy. the books and accounts OF the person
making such returns; and IL he shall find
that the returns made are less in amount
than shown by said books and accounts, he
shall make an assessment for a correct sum,
to which he shall add the penalty of twenty
five per centum on amount of tax due.
Sec. "a. That all carts, wagons and drays,
taxed by the District OF Columbia, shall at
the time of receiving the permit, be furnished
with a number. legibly painted on tin or
SEINE other suitable material, with the
letters ID. c., and the year, which the owner
or agent shall attach to said cart, wagon or
dray in some conspicuous place; and in like
manner number shall be furnished painted
on tin or some other material in the form of
a badge, which shall be worn cOnspicuously
on the person OF the driver of each carriage,
cab or other taxed vehicle for the transpOrta-
ton of passengers for nire, except street cars
when In service; and any person offending
against this section shall be fined not less
than So for each offence
Sec %. That il shall be the duty of the col
lectOr 20 keep in books prepared for the pur-
pose, list of the names of all persons OBJ
tanning permit for carts, wagons and drays
aud for hacks, carriages and cabs, and other
vehicles for the transportation of passengers
numbered to correspond with the number OF
the permit.
Sec 26. That for the purpose Of this act the
word person shall signify and include firms,
corporations and companies. Words OF one
number shall signify and include words of
both numbers, respectively. The word agent
shall signify and Include every person act
ing for another. The word merchandise shall
signify ard include every article OF com
merce, whether sold in bulk, by sample, cat
alCgue, or otherwise. Merchandise broker
shall signify and include every person en-
gagged in selling or offering for sale by sam
pie, catalogue, or otherwise.
Sec. %. That all avs acts, ordinances and
regulations now of force in the District of
Columbia, touching police regulations for
the several occupations and places of bust
ness in said District, not Inconsistent with
anything herein, are hereby continued in
force.
Sec %. That all penalties or fines imposed
or in any manner created by this act or the
act of the legislative assembly, entitled can
act imposing license on trades, business
and professions. practiced or carried on in
the District of Columbia" approved August
2Sd, 1871, and by the amendatory act ap-
proved June goth, 1872, shall be recovered In
the police court Of said District on informa-
tion under oath Rled therein by the attorney
of the District or bis assistant, in the name
of the District of Columbia, and in the same
manner as was provided for in section 10 of
an act of Congress OF the United States en-
titled can act to establish Police Court for
the District of Columbia" approved June
nth, 1910, for the recovery OF fines ard pen
alties for the violation OF ordinances of the
town and the Levy Court: PrOUided, That
when any penalty shall be allowed in part
to the informer, the Judgment and finding OF
the court shall set forth that it is for the Dis
trict and shall indicate the amount or pro-
portion thereof for the infOrmer.
Sec. %. That the Commissioners OF the Dis
trict of Columbia or their successors in office
are hereby authorized to arrange the laws
relating 10 the tax imposed by this act in
the form of circular, and have 900 copies
print for distribution.
Sec. 90 This act shall continue i'm force
from year TO year unless repealed by act OF
congress.
sec 81. That all laws, acts, ordinances and
regulations, or parts thereof, Inconsistent
herewith, be, and the same is, repealed.
The Bill Discussed.
Mr.. r. T. MeTrick stated To the commit e
that the bill prepared by the District Com
mittee last year had proved impractical
BILE OF execution in this District, and the
citizens had called meeting to consider this
subject of taxation. They had met from time
TO time, and had prepared the bill submitted
to-day. They desired TO know how much
money 1t was desired TO raise 10 meet the
rnnf md nfh 10 AoEAf
bad been incurred, not by the desire OF the
citizens. but by officers of the L. s. govern
ment. The federal government should pay
their just proportion OF the debt. The tax
payers of this District do not wish to evade
the payment of their proper proportion. They
wish TO know what their proportion is, AMI
they are prepared TO pay ii. They had pre-
pared bill which will raise at least two
millions OF dollars. Real estate had been the
basis in the preparation OF this bill. They
propose TO tax all the real estate X per
cent, and license every kind of business and
all visible property. The bill should be so
constructed that they should not encourage
the hardening of mems cOnsciences.
Adebate here arose between the committee
and Mr.. Merrick on this point, one OF the
committee stating that they should frame
bill on the basis that men would tell the
truth.
Mr.. Merrick.-But experience showed that
men Will not tell the truth. At the meeting
OF the citizens there was but one Individual
who opposed the views expressed in this
bill. Now, let II be understood what part of
the revenues are 10 De PAID by the citizens of
this District, and they are ready to pay it,
All the people ask is the small privilege OF
selecting the mode OF paying this tax.
THE DISTRICTS PROPORTION.
Mr.. Buckner-You are aware that the pro-
portion which the District should pay cannot
be determined by this committee. This is
matter which will be considered in the
House. The committee need Information
The District Commissioners have called for
a revenue of about - 900, 600, which does not
include the interest on the C5 bonds and liza
ollities held in the hands OF the sinking fund
commissioners.
Mr.. Merrick stated that the tax. payers de-
sired TO be brought into close and pleasant
relations with the law making power. They
were willing and ready 10 bear their proper
tionate expenses OF these improvements but
they desire an equitable tax law. He went
on TO show the committee that this Is not a
commercial nor manufacturing community,
and is not in q condition to have heavy
burdens heaped on IL in the way OF tax
alton. Some Of our wealthieSt residents are
MERELY DOMICILED HERE,
and for the most part their property is in
vested outside the limits of the District
The question of the difficulties in the way
OF reaching such taxpayers under any Law
was discussed at come length by Mr.. Mer-
Mr. md a