National Republican., 1884-01-15
THE LICENSE BILL.
Various Shades Of O. on Concerning II by
Leading Business Men.
Interviews with Market Dealers, Commis-
sion Merchants, and Kestaurateurs.

commissioner Vests proposed license bill
has caused much agitation among certain
classes of business men in this city" This
was the expression of prominent business
man on the avenue last evening. 4 REPUB-
ticAN reporter, who stood near, overheard
the remark and interviewed many represent
ativos Of the class ment ioncd.
Mr. j. L. Lanogan. wholesale liquor dealer,
800 Il street northwest, said, referring to
Commissioner Vests bill: "All trades, pro-
fcssions, and business should pay IA License. If
the West bill imposes a license on all, / favor
it, Bondholders should be taxed as well as
business mou."
MrW. =. Anderson Of the firm of Anderson
& Co.. commission merchants, 921 Il street
northwest, said "The bill Is injurious to
our business We cannot get along without
soliciting trade. We handle perishablc goods,
and must notify our customers before they
decay. Otherwise favor Mr.. Vests bill"
Mr. John X. Kelly, butcher, 9lD II street
northwo.t, said: 81 am opposed TO the bill,
because it discriminatcs against butchers"
Messrs John A. Davis & Son, produce deal
crs, 9lT street northwest said: We
favor license to personal tax. ] am opposed
to that clause that intcrferes with our busi-
ness by preventing n man from soliciting
trade. We handle much stuff that is perish
cay on our hauds."
Mr. Charles i. Magill produce fdealor,l915
B street northwest: 81 think it is very good
to tax this business, but very hard on retail
ors. If VIC cannot solicit trade we might as
we'll close up our establishments. l am
opposed to that clause. Another point, the
market dealers pay high rent and they should
not have to pay steep license. Some people
have two horses and q carriage and are not
compelled to pay license. | have one horse
and business wagon and am compelled to
pay n heavy license. Mr.. Vests effort is the
rich mans bill"
Messrs. Drury & Co., butchers and produce
dealers, 913 street northwest: Personal
tax is u humbug. The man who has somo-
thing that he can hide will pay nothing, while
the man who has something in sight-like us
dealcrs-wil he compelled to pay all. Wcare
in favor of that clause that prohibits soliciting
trade"
Mr. Wade, of the irm of Andrews & Wade,
OIL Il street: 1--WE are opposed to the clause
that urohibits the solicitation of trade, be-
cause we handle perishable goods and must
get rid of them quickly. | AIN opposed to
taxing horses and wagons unless private
horses and carriages are taxed"
Mr.. John X. Whitmore produce dealer, 931
street. said Retail dealers and hucksters
in the market should not be compelled to pay
license. They are taxed heavily enough by
the market company. / am opposed to the
clause that prohibits us from soliciting
trade"
Mr.. S. T. Jones, feed dealer, 20S Ninth
street ~ favor the personal tax system, be-
cause it taxes men according to their capi-
tai"
Mr.. G. T. Hilton, produce, corner Ninth
street and Louisiana avenue IL am opposed
to the BILL because some OF its features are
oppressive"
Mr.. II. L. Strang firm of Strang & Tucker,
produce, Louisiana avenue: 81 prefer license
to personal tax. Am strcnuously opposed to
the clause that prohibits soliciting trade"
Messrs. Tucker & Bros, produce dealers,
Louisiana avenue: 1--WE are certainly OPP
posed to that clause which prahibits solicit
tation Of trade Some of the features of the
bill arc good, however"
Mr.. j. 5. Redman, butter dealer, Louisiana
avenue "The bill docs not allow commission
merchants the privilege of soliciting trade.
l am strongly opposed to that clause"
Mr. Geoghegan, firm of Roth * Geoghegan
butchers and produce: "Wo favor Mr.. Vests
bill in every particular. The soliciting busi-
ness should he stopped"
Mr.. Alexander Landnan, the butcher, said:
Put me down as favoring the personal tax
system"
Mr.. L. l.. Tolson, commission merchant
corner of Tenth street and Louisiana avenue,
said: " | don't object to the advance in the
price Of our licenses, but do object to the
commissioners abridging our privileges. We
are constantly receiving perishable goods and
must solicit trade or lose money. The West
bin is against the interests of the commission
merchants OF Washington"
Mr. Wren, of the firm of Howard & Wren
commission merchants 2l0 Tenth street, said
al favor the license system although it
makes our payments heavier | object to
that clause which prohibits soliciting trade.
Other business men can solicit, and their
goods are not perishable. Our licenses are
higher, our goods are largely porishable, and
still it is proposed to prohibit solicitation on
our part. This is wrong"
Mr.. J. II. Middleton, restaurant, Ninth
street, said, "A license system benefits retail
dealers in the market. But they should not
BE- compelled to pay license. They pay rent,
and tho market company should pay all
licenses"
Mr.. John Scott, restaurant keeper, Ninth
street. said 81 want to see every mans busi-
ness licensed according to his capital. \ man
with 81 invested should not be taxed the
same as q man with thousands invested,
Therefore, favor the personal tax system"