The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-08
THE QUESTION OF
LICENSE TAXES
A Special Committee FormuIates a
Schedule.
LAWYERS, DOCTORS, DENTISTS,
Also Retail Liquor Dealers Appear
and Give Their Views on the
Subject-The ConcIu-
sion Reached.
LAWYERS, DOCTORS, DENTISTS,

The special commission appointed TO con-
slider some plan by which professions re-
quiring specific license taxation should be
assessed other than the present system Oh
taxation met in the City Hall last night
at O'Clock. The members present were:
Messrs. Wallerstein (chairman), Harrel-
son, DR.. Hugh Taylor, Or. r. ID. Garcln,
Wilson. Zimmerman and Rosene.
Mr.. c. V. Meredith addressed the COM
mission in behalf of the Bar Association
and stated that the question of SPECIFIC
taxation for the professions had been
considered by the association and large
majority Of its members expressed them
selves as fayoring the present plan OF
taxation rather than any chsnA. 1t was
the sense OF these members that this was
the only fair and Just way 10 tax the legal
professions.
Nfr. Meredith said 80 far as he was per-
sonally concerned. he thought Il very un-
fair to place a member OF the profession
In class for FIVE years and after that
In another class at higher rate.
Sir. Meredith said that the Bar Associa-
tion would not Ike TO take upon them
selves 10 agree upon assessments Of its
futItDtISs Uut lHt NNlNfiiN vi NH~ N~
citation would willingly give the Finance
Committee any Information regarding the
income OF the members that he might be
able to obtain.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Or. Hugh ". Taylor, representing the
medical profession, stated that the dues-
ton had been brought 10 the attention OF
the Academy of Medicine and Surgery,
and it was the consensus of opinion OF
those present that the present plan OF
taxing the medical profession was not at
all practicable 1t was impossible 10 ar
rive at the income OF the members OF the
profession. and therefore no recommenda-
tion as 10 what class a member should be
put in could be made.
The medical profession. said DR.. Taylor,
differs from the legal profession. In that
IL performs a large amount OF service
gratuitously 10 the poor OF the city, ana
this point alone was a strong argument
in favor OF abolishing a license tax Tor
physicians entirely. The assessment
agreed upon by the profession generally
however. was fixed as follows: Practicing
physicians. five years and under, tax OF
| SO: from five 10 ten years. $50: over ten
years. $50 DR.. Taylor said that II this
plan Of taxing the medical profession was
| adopted he did not think the revenue to
the city from the profession would be re-
| duced.
No one was present to represent the
dental profession. but letters from Doctors
| Cowardin and Stir concerning the ques-
| ton were read.
DR.. Cowardin said in. his letter that the
present method of taxing FOR licenses for
| tho profession embodies a dual tax, which
IL retrospective and prospective in its ac-
| n fppofoa the DrOOpp1S from
the previous years practice and n license
| tax to practice during the coming year,
| and that he hoped a provision for assess
! ing tax would be adopted by the COM
/ mission so that Il would fall upon all Of
! the citizens equally.
! DR.. h. w Stir enclosed In his communi-
cation the following resolution adopted by
| the Richmond City Dental Society:
Resolved. That in view OF the great
| amount OF charitable and gratuitOus work
done By the dentists. that the license tax
on them should be placed at the minimum
limit OF $40"