Evening star., 1899-01-30
LICENSE LAW AMENDED
Action Taken Upon Complaint Of Discrimi-
nation Respecting Exhibitions.
Bill to Regulate the Tax on Theaters
Prepared by Attorney Thomas
Its PrOvisiOns.

The proprietors of an exhibition of NOV
ing pictures recently complained to the Dis
trict Commissioners that they were re-
qulred to pay a license tax of SO week,
or 500 year, while the tax imposed on
theaters is but 800 per annum 1t was con-
tended on behalf of the complainants that
this difference against them was unjust
and cxorbitant and they asked the Com
missioners to permit them to give their ex-
hibition upon the payment of the tax or
license fee paid by the theaters. The mat
ter was referred by the Commissioners to
their attorney, who held that however un-
just and unfair the tax imposed upon the
COmplainants might be, the license law au-
thoriZed no relief Thereupon the Com
missi6ners requested their legal adviser to
prepare such an amendment of the license
law as would grant the relief asked.
Their attorney. in response, today sub
mitted to the Commissioners a substitute
for the present provision of the license law
in regard to theaters, exhibitions and enter
tainments for gain
Considering he explained, the exi-
gency of the situation l have. as you will
notice. prepared two drafts-one as a sub
stitute for section y, chapter Xxx, of the
proposed code. and the other a bill to be
submitted to Congress. 1t may be that the
required legislation can be sooner had by
direct application to Congress than by wait
ing for the enactment of the code"
Draft of the Bill.
The bill drafted by the attorney is as fol-
lows. the substitute for section -, of chap
ter NX, of the code being the first section
thereof:
"A bill to regulate licenses for theaters
in the District of Columbia and for other
purposes:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
Congress assembled
proprietor. lessee or manager of any the
ater. having stage and movable scenery
used for the purpose of acting. playing or
performing any play. farce, interude, op-
era or other theatrical or dramatic per-
fOrmance, or any scene, section or portion
of any play, farce drama of any de-
scripuon, for gain, shall pay a license tax
of S1tD annually: provided. that licenses
may be granted for theatrical perform
dnces for one week on the payment of $50,
or for less than one week on the payment
of $40: and provided further that prOpri-
etors of exhibitions or entertainments of
any other description conducted for gain
shall pay license tax of 800 annually. or
for less period as follows: Three dollars
per day, S1G for the first week and 81 for
each subsequent week; and provided fur
ther that permits for entertainments, con-
certS or performances of any kind given in
church buildings where the proceeds are
intended for church charitable purposes
no license shall be required.
Penalty Prescribed.
Section >. That 1t shall be the duty of
the proprietor, lessee, or manager of any
theater, theatrical performance exhibition
or entertainment of any description in the
District of Columbia. conducted for gain, to
obtain a license therefor as herein provided
for. Any person violating the provisions
of this act shall. on conviction thereof in
the Police Court Of said District, In
addition to the license tax imposed. pay
fine or penalty of not less than s. nor
more than so, for each offense, to be re-
covered in the name of said District
Section 3. That al laws and parts of
laws inconsistent with this act be and the
same are hereby repealed"