Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-11
Taxation i'm the District.


TY-0NE LAST NlGHT
The committee of twenty-one citizens ap-
pointed by the general meeting OF business men
several weeks ago to frame suitable tax bill for
tie District to present to the House District COM
nittee held meeting last night at the Board
oi Trade rooms. There were present Messrs.
". II. Clagett, W. G. Metzerott. John T. Given,
B. G. Loyetoy. W. F. Mattingly, E. E: White,
Geo. W. Cochran. c. c. DuncanSon, NJ. w. Bev-
eIdge, f. c. IngersOll, p. Il. Hooe, DR.. j. NJ.
Toner. DR.. Antisell, James Small, John F. Cook,
HoratiO Browning, VIM. Morgan, Thomas J:
Fisher, John a. Baker, Ross A. Fish and E. G.
Davis.
Mr.. John T. Given was called to the chair,
with Mr.. c. c. Dtlncanson as secretary.
THE PROPOSED NEW TAX ELL
Mr.. Mattingly from the committee of three,
to whom tax bill prepared by the general COM
mittee had been referred at previous meeting,
FOR revision. made report stating that the COM
mittee had been over the bill thoroughly, and
in harmonking certain conflicting points had
necessarily made some changes which would be
shown in its reading. They had provided for
the usual taxation on real estate and in licenses
had made some changes Increasing the rates On
such trades as in their Judgment could best
stand it, and taxing some occupations specially
" hich had not heretofore been taxed. He emu
merated them and stated the rates, among
them gas companies, livery stables, auctioneers,
banks, insurance companies and agents, pawn
brokers', commercial agents and brokers. AS to
incorporated companies, such as gas companies,
railroad companies, or Others, they had in al
dition to the license tax, fixed the rate OF $50
market value. deducting the assessed value of
zeal estate from such stock. The special tax of
$50 ON ALL PEDDLERs
was thought by the committee to be excessive,
ard it had been agreed to reduce it to $40, the
belief being quite general that more revenue
would be derived from this source.
Mr. Cook suggested that in this case there
might properly be an advalorem tax imposed
upon the Stock in trade Of such occupation to
make the tax more equal, as the value OF such
stock varied much, according to the business.
Mr.. Lovejoy, one of the committee, who had
in his possession the only copy OF the bill pre-
pared, read the same for Information of the
meeting, and the different points were dis
cussed, almost entire unanimity prevailing as
to the provisions contained. The question OF
imposing
LICENSE TAX ON PHYSICIANS, LAWYERS, EDITORS
AND AUTHORS
was discussed. DIR. j. w. II. LOvejoy, who was
present, said he desired to have word to say
on his own responsibility. He did not represent
any organization, but he believed the members
tax. Some two years ago committee of physi-
clans had been sent TO the House District COM
mittee to protest against such tax, when tax
bill was in course of preparation for the Dis
trict. In very many cases among the phySi-
clans there was nothing tangible to tax, and
this was in effect to tax prospective bus mess.
the capital stock being the business capacity, or
brains of physician. If exemptions are to be
made in any professions, he saw no reason why
the physician should not be among them; also
lawyers, editors and authors. when the capital
thing there is nothing tangible to tax in these
cases. In the case OF merchants and business
men there is visible property-either stock in
trade, capital stock or real estate. If lawyers
and doctors are to be put upon an equal footing
with capitalists who represent property, the
license should be discarded. If licenses are to
be imposed upon them he would say that the
proposed tax of S25 is not large tax. Under
The old rule of taxing personal property the
majority OF physicians would pay less than this
sum.
Mr. Paker sold tharo ,roc No o,acs who onio,-
more benefits from the expenditures of reve-
nues than physicians. Our finely paved and
well lighted streets are as much an advantage
10 them as to any class and there was no good
reason why they should not contribute to the
revenues. The object is to make permanent
tax law for this District, based on perfect
equality.
Dr.. Lovejoy said he would prefer to pay IL
cense tax OF S25 rather than to submit to an in
queSitorial personal tax of $40.
Mr.. Duncanson said he was in the same posi-
ton as the physician, and he was willing to sub
init to the decision of the majority. Under the
provisions OF this bill he would pay license tax
without owning any capital and tax on gross
receipts Of sales. He had no more capital than
the physicians have.
Mr.. Baker said the principle of taxation was
diffusive in its operations, and when it is based
professions or trades pay tax through the ag-
®ations of the land owner. Further discus
sion was held on the
TAXING OF INSURANCE COMPANIES, BANKS,
HFeIy StdUltS TdllIOdu COFpOTduOnS, eUC., as
general increase Of licenses was advocated and
incorporated in the bill Ammonia, asphalt and
concrete works and poudrette manufactures
all come in for license OF 500, junk shops $50
each, banks $500 license with a tax Of 1-10th of
one per cent. on their average deposits 1t is
also proposed that male dogs be taxed g. so and
female dogs S. per annum. After Incorporating
these features
THE BILL WAS ADOPTED
as whole. A committee, consisting OF Messrs.
Given, Cla9ett, Baker, Mattingly, Cooke, Fish,
the bill to the committee on the District of Co.
umbia to-day, and to call a meeting of the gen.
eral committee, to report to them, when they
thought proper.