Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-22
THE TAX ON COMMERCIAL TRAV.
ELERS.


| To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR:
Having looked In vain in your columns fo
| some word of commendation or approval of thu
bill recently reported upon favorably by the
House Of Representatives, to abolish the license
tax of 5000 upon nonresident merchants wish
ing to do business here, We judge, that witt
| your usual spirit of fairness and Justice YOU
will not refuse to publish a line in its favor
We blush, that in this, our free country, the
citizens of any portion of it should think proper
| to levya tax upon the citizens OF other por
tons for the privilege OF doing business among
them, and Will not touch upon the question Of
the constitutionality OF such laws further than
| to say that we believe in the neighboring city
OF baltimore, few years ago, a test case, car
sion house, was decided in its favor, and tina,
since that time the law has been practically q
dead letter in that city. We venture to state a
against Washington merchants, and to retute
IN single reason the principal argument OF
those who most persistently encourage their
New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Balti.
more being the chief commercial cities of our
country in the line OF both imported and do
nestle fabrics we, in common with retail mer-
chants of other portions of our country, natur-
ally look to them for our supplies of merchan-
disc The custom now largely obtains among
them for each house to send its representative
or traveller with samples to call upon the best
retail houses in its line of goods in all large
cities. In sendIng their representatives to our
city they find themselves confronted with the
law, requiring them either to take out license,
at cost OF 500, or, as is usually the case, TO
sell through a commission agent, who has pur-
chased license, at q charge of 142 to Oh per
cent on the amount of actual sales made; or, to
put 1t In another and clearer light, it costs the
New York merchants who SEND their travellers
here la to 212 per cent more to sell us than In
does to sell merchants in all northern cities,
ana TO that extent makes US undesirable GUS
toners to them.
Now, one word as to the principal argument
used TO sustain the license tax: tits saidthat II
the license law is repealed, then anyone and
everyone can come here with q small pack or a
large stock, and since they have no license to
e cSss aso no expenses can 0nderse our me''
How undersell them pray? Must they not also
have store In which to do business, aud thus
become also liable TO taxatiOn2 No. They will
avoid taxation by going from house to house,
from department to department., or, in the
other tt1 case, win bring . few fine goods, and
and will sell single shirt, single pair shoes,
or single dress at . less price than our best
merchants can afford to sell goods Of the same
quality.
SO tits argued. II this be true, then, "pity It's,
It's true" Well, we say, let the struggle begin;
10 the greatest good OF the greatest number, I"
and ii the majority Of our citizens can, in this
nrsea of of with ia At
oy all means let the Commissioners urge Con.
gress to give them the opportunity. But, for
our part. we 90 not believe our merchants fear
Washington has to-day merchants in every
line OF trade and commerce whose names are
oynouJ AAouS Will uOu6SLy ana Integrity.
Their commercial standing Is rated Al. and
their credit Is unQuestiOned and unlimited Re
lieye them OF this discrnation;repeal this unjust
and un-American license law and WashinTton
Will then be ranked among the most desirable
markets In the estimation Of importers and
manufacturers, instead OF, as at present, BY
reason or this unjust law among the most un.
desirable. Her merchants are destined in the
near future TO cater to the wants OF half mill
lion people and given the advantages In the
MARKETS. mar Of the countiylto which her proud POSI-
ton entities them, they will meet these de
mands in spirit and with commencement
which shaii leave nothing to be desired on the
part OF discriminating public.
Pro Bono PuBI1co