Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-09

the subcommittee now considering the ap-
preparation ordinance "There is no use In
this discussion here" said he. "We are
simply to hear the statements Of the grocers
to-day. We get enough of councilmanlc
speeches at other times.
Mr.. Robertson discovered an objection
able feature to this motion and argued
against it Mr. Heating agreed with him.
While they were giving their views Mr..
Donley jumped to his feet again and moved
''to instruct Councils to remove the tax.
"You're out of order" said the Chair,
and Mr.. Donley sat down. The Chair then
INDUCED in q lengthy statement as to the
advisability of referring the matter to the
subcommittee. He had not quite finished
when Mr.. Donley started to speak.
Mr.. Donley Gets Called Down.
'I move we 90 into committee Of the
whole, " said he, :'to settle the business"
''Sit down." said the Chair.
Somebody in the rear of the room echoed
the Chairs command, to which Mr.. Donley
replied: \
1T'm not jobber."
81 do not propose, said Mr.. Robertson,
''to be led into a loop by the eloquence of
the Chair. Coming down to fine points, the
Chair has no right to make a speech unless
he step down and put somebody in his
place"
The suggestion evidently struck Chair
man Magee favorably, tor he at once left
the chair, calling Mr.. Heating to take
charge. He then had talk with Mr..
Donley.
Now" continued Mr.. Robertson, 'I
want to insist that this question be kept
out of the hands of the subcommittee.
We want to discuss it in this committee
and not have somebody else fix it up for us
I want to hear every man get up in the
committee meeting and express his views
For myself 1 have reasons for being op-
posed to . removal of the tax, which am
not prepared to state just at present, and
when do express them want the other
committeeman to do the same"
At this point Mr.. Donley rose again, say
ing: Gentlemen, want to get chance
to speak. I don't get much chance in Coun-
cils, but want it now
The Chair, however, gave the floor to Mr..
Hunter, of the Grocers' Committee, who
said:
"There is not house selling groceries in
Pittsburg that made dollar over the in
terest on its money last year. The tax is
not fair and is not enforced in any other
city. The business interests of the city
have made it what it is and they should
not be improperly taxed"
Is Really Triple Tax.
Mr. Gillespie then spoke to the effect that
goods were taxed three times by this method
for the manufacturer, the wholesaler and
the retailer.
A motion to have the subject remain in
the hands of the Finance Committee was
then passed, and the committee adjourned.
At its conclusion Mr.. Robertson was asked
what arguments he proposed introducing
against the removal of the tax.
SIT is just this way," said he. 'sTo abol-
ish an annual tax of about $235, 600 on the
business men means the placing of that
tax the property owners Seven-tenths
of the latter are of the poorer classes
at is manifest fact that the expenses
of the city are not going to be cut down.
The money must be raised, and to take the
burden from one class only makes it heavier
on another. 1t is argued that these bust
ness men are the life of the city. take
exception to this. Wholesale and retail
dealers are not the factors, but only incl
dents in the prosperity of city. The man.
ufacturers are the factors. Their works
draw population, while merchants wait till
the population comes before they begin
operations. As said, they are simply in