Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-12
HAVE TO PAY
Railroad Companies to Be Brought
to Time.
Money CLAIMED as LICENSE TAX
Result Of Previous Efforts to Make
Collections.
OTHER DISTRICT MATTERS

Railroad companies that nave evaded the
street car license tax in the past will Snort
ly be brought to time and i. is estimated
that the Golfers Of the District will be
swelled many thousands Of dollars.
Recently the ass essor for the District, in
reply to query of the Commissioners for
list of corporations, in default to the Dis
trict, complied a list showing the compa-
lies that had failed to pay the tax. Inves-
LEGATION disclosed the fact that upward of
100000 was owing the District from this
source. and the Commissioners determined
to further probe the matter, with the ulti-
mate object Of collecting as much of this
amount as possible. In fact, they went SO
far as to conclude that if the statute of
limitations or any other legal obstacle
barred the collection of this tax to appeal
to Congress for legislation which would
compel the railroad companies to meet the
obligation.
The tax is levied III der the act of the old
legislative assembly of 1871, which placed
license t; x of So on each horse car OPP
Grated in the District. During the latter
part of 1877 the Commissioners endeavored
to collect this tax. and Instituted proceed
ingS against the Washing ton and George
town company. But the mater was drop
ped for some reason or other, only to be
taken up by a subsequent board of Com
mssionerS- Several more attempts were
made, but nothing accomplished until 1884,
when the case was finally heard, on the
application of the railroad company for an
injunction to prevent the District from col
lecting the tax. The company urged at the
time as ar offset to the claims of the au-
thorities that the act of II was in excess
of the power granted to it by Congress,
and was, therefore, not only illegal, but
void. 1t also claimed repeats of the law
and double legislation upon the same sub
ject, which, of course, was unconStitu-
tional.
After legal battle of some months the
Supreme Court of the United States de-
ciied the in favor of the District.
But that did not settle the question, for
when a demand was made upon the rail-
road company for the tax dila tory methods
were pursued and the case was soon for
gotten. In January, 30, action was again
preme Court uf the District on a writ of
certiorari The District about that time
moved to quash the writ. but Judge Brad
ley overruled the motion, on the ground
that the law contemplated a tax on street
cars drawn by two horses. and did not APP
ply to the Washington and Georgetown
Capital Traction Company, since it had
substituted a more modern means of mo-
tive power. and was therefore not liable to
the tax.
The Metropolitan Railroad Company, it
seems. agreed to a compromise of the mat
ter. and promised to lay the matter before
its board of directors, but up to this time
nothing has been done.
1t is understood the Commissioners will
file an information within short time
against the street railroad companies
which come within the provisions of this
act, and use all means within their power
to collect the tax. They will also make an
effort TO collect personal tax from all
railroads.
With Amendments.
The bill to protect the seventh day of the
week a day of rest was amended sew
eral times by the Commissioners before
their report upon the same agreed to.
Late yesterday afternoon they complete ted
their report, and while they iniorse Sun
day rest and approve the ideas of the bill.
nevertheless they amend the same by
adding sundry exemptions to the rrovs-
ions of the proposed law. One amendment
provides for the sale of books and news
papers on Sunday, and they suggest, furth-
err, that the act shall not be construed to
prevent the sale of refreshments other
than malt or spirituous liquors Neither
shall it prevent the sale of liquor by no.
tells to guests. nor the sale of railroad tick
cts, tobacco, cigars, steamboat tickets, or
the collection or delivery Of baggage on
Sunday.
II this bill becomes law. games of all
kinds which disturb the quiet of the day
will have to be suspended.
He Objects.
The building inspector is opposed to Sen
ator Perkins bill which proposes to take
the designing of District buildings out of
his department. Briefly the bill proposes
to have the public buildings of the District
designed by private architects in competi-
ton. The inspectors principal objection is
the increased cost. Since 1883, he points
out. s25H',21 has been expended on public
buildings for the District. Had these build
inGs been designed outside the building de-
partment, it would have cost in architec-
tural fees Sl26,461, as against S3l,469, I'M
der the present arrangement.
The DOnnelIy Case.
There is every reason to believe that the
case of Donnelly and his wholesale liquor
case will find its way into court.
1t will be recalled that a majority of
the excise board granted his license after
numerous hearings, opinions and briefs had
been filed. Both sides made strong
fight. The opposition now is going to
fight it out, or at least it is understood
that every recourse will be taken until
nothing more can be done.
This morning Mr.. Nathaniel Wilson, rep
resenting the opposition to the license, APP
peared at the office Of the clerk of the ex-
else board and obtained a certified copy of
all papers in the case. When questioned
concerning the future movements of the
CppOSltlCn ne SAID nothing mad been de-
cided upon. OF course if anything were
Gone it would be through a writ of GER
iCrsri. The case would then be reopened
and if the license was issued through
mistake it could be corrected.
Excise Board.
The excise board this morning granted a
retail liquor license to John Morris POO
X street northwest upon certain stipula-
items. First that he close his bar room
each night at 10 O'Clock. with the excep-
ton of Saturday night, and further, that
he keep crowds away from his door. The
former applicant for license at this place
was rejected because Of the protests.
Stealing of Pet Animals.
From the New York Ledger.
There have been very bitter complaints
in many portions Of the country about the
stealing of domestic and pet animals by
gangs of orgaEized thieves who carry off
these creatures in the hope of reward for
their return. That they work under a thor
ough system is clearly evident from the