Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-01-08
THE PROPOSED TAX REFORM.
Views Of Business Ien Concerning
the Colnsmissioners' bill.

GENERAL APPROVAL OF THE NEW PLAS--oBJECTIoNs
URGED TO SOME OF ITS FEATURES, But GENERAL
DESIRE EXPRESSED TO HAVE TIE PERSONAL TAX
ABOLISHED.
''The action OF the Commissioners on the subject
OF repeating the odiouS personal tax said Mr.
William Dickson to a STAR reporter to-day, land
the adoption Of new license law will meet with
hearty approval everywhere. The personal tax
has been serious barrier to our business commu-
nifty, and has forced the weather. class OF citizens
to seek investments outside ofthe District to escape
its reach. From my experience with the taxpayin
citizens know they Will regard this as popular
measure ana the Commissioners (yylO have wisely
consulted The various branches OF trade and busi-
ness il pa-facting their new billy should receive
the assistance and encouragement or the people I'm
bringing about the passage OF The law in Congress-
Mr.. THOMAS WALSH,
resi- aurant. said that he had examined the pro-
visions OF the bill very carefully He preferred an
increase in tine license to the personal tax and
thought that the license imposed on his business
by TIE :leH Fill was not excessive. He was salts
tied TO have the increaS, and had no fault TO find
Mr.. A. j. CLARKE,
OF Schwing * Clarke, restaurant. said: 81 think
that the Increase in the retail license will drive
many small dealers ont of business, and should
be sorry 10 any poor man deprived OF his busi-
hess. | AIN opposed TO the personal tax as betnr
lnee2tiyf. blI don't think that the burden OF
raising the rnvH.i;9e should be imposed upon one
class III tn" community. There seems TO be some
teniocy to &c that mere. don't say that this bill
will have that effect. /aS have not had time 10
st;;d: Ill IFS details. The proposed tax | SUPPOSE
would hc regarded an equitable proportion for
The wholesale and retail business. / don't know
that have anything IL suggest but If this law is
carried OUT with the exception OF the effect upon
the small dealers, suppose that it viii be as good
rs we could expect
MR.. t. W. SMITH,
humber dealer states that he is well satisfied with
the scope Of the bill, but there should be some
changes. "We have been sore,y tr:ed' he slid s.by
reasoi. OF the noperation OF the personal tax law:
the visible property has had to pay for bonds and
mor:ga no: visible. AS for my own business
the fax is somewhat higher than before There is
another objection. Those dealing In merchandise
whose capital Will not compel a payment Of $50
that is, those whose capital does not exceed OO)-
az. exempt and this will apply TO probably 80 per
cent o. the entire number who engaged In SELL
Ing merchandise
MI; J. +. oLMsTEAD,
real estate broker, is opposed to the proposed
change OF license OF real estate dealers from s25 to
$50. FOR the raason that it is not enough. He says
that it should be $3.50 per year, and all personal
should be removed. He states also that there
is no good reason for these agents to be bonded,
and that that part OF the law should be repealed.
MR. X. O. HOFFMAN,
the real estate dealer, said: "I opposed to the
personal tax system for many reasons and am
glad that this bill has been introduced Its prov1s-
District AS far as my own business is concerned.
approve heartily OF the bill, and tor what believe
to be the best interests OF the District 1 also
favor it."
AN UNDERTAKES VIEWS -
Mr.. ". R. Speare, the undertaken, safH that his
business had not been specially classified, which
he thought was aenistake. 1t came under the
head OF business that was taxed SO on the first
81 900 invested and s. on each additional 81 900;
besides a tax OF g on each wagon 81 think, re-
marked MI SO0aTe. Nflat the Commissioners Will
stand a very poor show to get anything from the
undertakers under such a law. A few have large
capital invested, but great many have capital
In the business In my opinion the tax should be
general and should be the same for each This
business should be made separate from all Others
and taxed as SUCH think that the special tax OF
$3 on each wagon ought not TO be continued !
yet all Will be taxed think that an underLaker's
wagon should be exempt as q hearse"
Mr.. ELPHoNZO YoUNGs,
the grocer said: 81 am opposed to the personal tax
and In favor OF the license. Ihave not studied this
! bill in its details. but favor the general prin-
ciple."
Mr. HUTCHNs0N,
| OF the flrm Of Hayward q Hutchinson, plumbers,
said: 'sThe bill makes no special change n taxa
uon, except that, the license WILL perhaps, be less
than the amount OF the personal tax. The 6all
seems to me move In the right direction 1t ID TO
tion on personal effects, because it d IN induce
ment to men OF means to come here TO live. The
principle that imposes the largest tax the inter-
ests that require the most projection n good
NEssRa FRNNEY = cRo6EY,
Of the National hotel In reply 70 inquiries Of THH