The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-18
THE MANUFACTURERS MEET,
THE RIGHT OF LOCAL OPTION IN
TAXATION DISCUSSED,
Amend the Constitution by N
Vote of the People.

The regular monthly meeting of the
Houston Manufacturing association was
held last night at s o'clock at the parlors
Of the Hutchns House, the following mem
bers and visitors being present; II. c.
Mosehart, Il. c. Crawford w. A. Moore
s. W. Anderson, G. w. Tipps, James Charl-
ton, NJ. e. Foster, A. Stelzig, John Neu-
thard. r. P. Boyle, d. Woodhead. Miss
zwieb. Miss NJ. A, zwieb. NJ. c. Barber,
Gus Willunlng, j. G. Porterfeld, C. L.
Goodman, H. NJ, Walker, j, S. Purdy, H.
Il. Parsons, II. II. Yorty, IL. P. Dayiss,
L. l.. Tomkies, l.. g. LeBert and c. W.
Robinson.
After reading Of the minutes OF the last
meeting the following report was discuss
ed by several of the members and on mo
ton was adopted unanimously.
To President, Officers and Members Hous-
ton Manufacturing Association.
Houston, Texas, April II, lSg9.--we. your
committee, appointed to investigate and
report ON the open letter of Mr.. James
Charlton to this association, relative to
exemption OF manufacturers from taxation,
would respectfully report;
That having thoroughly investigated and
thoughtfully considered the matter con
tanned therein, We are in favor OF the prop
ostion and submit a few Of the reasons
which have influenced this decision.
We find that by exemptng our indus
tries the city OF Houston would be enter
lug upon no new or untried field OF eX-
pertinent. The communities which have
exempted manufacturing industries from
! taxation are 50 numerous that they can
not be especially named. although the
| exemption of factories In the Caroliuas
aud Its immediate effect in the develop
ment OF cotton manufacture Is known to
you all We have thoroughly Investigated
the condition prevailing in Houston today;
we ind that about capital is in
vested in manufacturing enterprises OF
this capital ---- Is located outside OF
the city limits for the well known pur-
pose OF escaping city taxation. Were these
factories exempt they would individually
be within the limits OF the city and would
not as now be the bitterest opponents OF
municipal expansion. An impetus would
be given to similar industries that many
more would be side by side with them.
Old citizens OF Houston will remember
that when the Southern Pacific railroad
hesitated between Houston and San An
tonic as to its location, one of the con-
trolling facors in favor OF Houston was an
understanding that for a number of years
the valuation for taxation OF these shops
would be kept at nominal figure. Hous-
ton being the largest manufacturing center
within the boundaries of Texas, Is but
in favor or active legislation for the up
building OF all Industrial enterprises In
Texas
We. therefore, submit for your consid-
Grafton, and we would recommend It;
adoption, the following resolution, wit
Whereas Manufacturing enterprises ere,
ate demand for homes and enhance prop
erty values.
And whereas, The increase In taxable
values comes largely from manufacturing
interests, and as the manufacturers prosper
so will the demand for labor increase
And whereas, With exemption to manu-.
facturers the aggregate tax can be nj
larger than now, and by increase OF popu,
lation and property holders n decrease II
the rate of taxation may be had; therefore
Be II resolved, That we the Manufactur.
ing association of the city Of Houston
beg and petition the legislature to submit
an amendment TO the constitution TO
vote of the people giving the right OF loca
s, option in taxation.
We feel no hestancy IN asking this a
In many States the legislature has glver
exemption to the manufacturers for dlf
/ ferent lengths of time, all for the build
enacted, various manufactures have beer
. started and population and increased taxa
: BILE property have resulted.
a Therefore, be II further resolved Tha
this body appoint a committee OF Ave I,
! communicate with similar bodies through
out the State for the purpose OF securing
united effort to crystalise the sentimen
OF the State In favor of exemption of man
ufactories from taxation and bring the nee
1 essary influence TO bear upon our STAT
law makers to accomplish the object de
sired, James Charlton,
f. G.. Rust
e. =. Boyle.
Following Is the committee appointed
by the president as provided for in TN
foregoing report ]. f. Dickson. r. Hack
! er, Gus Fredericks. Charles Hire and II
: w. Bottman AS an auxiliary to this com
mittee the following were named an,
adopted r T Bowie w. G. Rust. y. C
Crawford, James Charlton and y. Wood
head.
! II was decided. that hereafter the reguls,
monthly meetings be held at o'clock, p
, m. instead OF 5 o'clock .. m. on the thirt
; Monday. The meeting then adjourned.