Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-21
TAXES TOO HEAVY.
FINANCE COMMITTEE HEAR PRO-
TESTS AGAINST LAST ASSESSMENT.
SALOON-KEEPERS OUT In FORCE
Many Lawyers ana Physicians Also
Appcar-DcnfnI Departments mt the
Colleges Make Chnrges-Frec Dis
pensnries Much Abused.

| some professional and business circles
over the latest assessment OF license
| taxes found a vent last night at the
| meeting Of the Finance Committee. held
in the Office Of the Commissioner OF Reve-
nue..
Perhaps one hundred and fifty gentle
men were present, and there were many
wel-known faces in the gathering. The
largest delegation hailed from the liquor
trade. There were so many present, in
fact. that the committee decided that
three spokesman should be chosen to pre-
sent the views Of this particular class.
These represented that the proposed in
crease OF the tax on saloon-keepers from
$50 to 800 would be burdensome in the
extreme, especially when It IS taken into
account with the heavy State tax OF over
500. and the United States tax of S25.
There were many lawyers present, some
Of whom pleaded that their taxes had
been increased. though they had not prac-
ticed for five years. and they claimed I'M
munity from any Increase on this account
under city ordinance Others, however,
stated that they were not making 800
year. and could not pay the tax
A large number OF doctors asked Tor re-
ductions on account of falling practices,
and dentists based their claims on the
same plea.
other branches represented were junk
dealers, hotels, stock brokers. veterinary
surgeons, and commission-men.
LAWYERS SPEAK FIRST.
The lawyers were out in great array, and
tfigf n
creased assessment varying from $40 10
$40. The pleas were various in character.
Some Of the younger ones said they had
not been at the bar for five years, and
claimed immunity from the increase on
that score: others cOntended that they
were not making 500 year, and could
not afford TO pay more than the mini
mum tax Of SO.
There were three dentists in the field,
oil Of whom based their pleas upon their
failing practice. There had been a gradual
falling of for the past few years, which
each attributed 10 the work done by the
dentistry departments of the medical col
leges
EFFECT OF THE COLLEGES.
Mr.. Wallerstein asked II any charges
were made by the colleges, and was an
sWered in the affirmative by all dentists.
one OF them stated, however, that the
charges, he understood, were below the
regular rate and merely covered the cost
of materials.
Mr. Allen asked whether the appro-
prlations made by the city for charity
work did not interfere with regular prac-
utioners. The dentists replied that it in
terfered TO q very large extent, and stated
that many people took advantage of the
opportunity to get work done for nothing
who were not by any means entitled 10
such assistance.
Messrs. Davenport & Co., stockholders.
asked for a reduction in the license
charge, on the ground that the capital
had been reduced by the withdrawal Of
three members Of the old firm.
Some eight or ten physicians asked for
reduction, on the ground that their
practices were falling off. The hospitals
were interfering to q very large extent
with all branches of the profession, and
in cases when the taxes had been in
creased, they were declared excessive.
The veterinary surgeons were repre-
scented by one Of their number Two COM
mission merchants also made appeals
against increased taxation. a protest was
made on behalf Of the Jefferson Ilotei
against the $500 entertainment tax, which,
it was stated. is larger than that Of any
other hotel in the city.
PLEA or THE SALOON-MEN.
A large number OF saloon-keepers were
present and at the suggestion Of Chair
man Hardwicke, they appointed IL conn
mttee TO present their views.
Mr.. a. G.. Anthony was the first spokes-
man. He said the taxes imposed upon
barkeepers amounted TO persecution.
Don't make so many cuts at US" he
said. "Why don't you tax us $3.50 or $500,
and wipe us out Of existence at once?
We're doing all we can TO keep up our
end Of the rope, and we don't think we
should have these heavy burdens put upon
us" If the city would employ Am and
guarantee him 81 a day, he said, he would
retire from the liquor business at once.
Mr.. Charles Thalhmer said liquor deal
ers were barely able TO pay expenses.
The proposed increase Of $50 TO the city
tax would be a very real burden.
Mir. j. ". Thompson said he'd been in
the business for seven years, and had
watched the business grow steadily worse.
He. too. he said, would willingly shut
up his business If he could be guaranteed
q salary Of 81 q day. He said lne tax
was imposed upon the poor man and not
on the wealth of the city. There's an
election coming. and If you get the poor
workingman down on you, lookout for
your city"
HARD on JUNK DEALERS.
Mr.. j. c. Smith the junk dealer. asked
that his license be allowed to remain at
$50 instead of being raised to 800. Balti-
more junk dealers. he said. send to this
city and buy metal and junk on quite On
extensive scale. and this is but one of
the disadvantages the dealer has to con-
tend against
There were no others TO be heard, and
the committee resolved itself into execu-
tive session.