The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-22

RET ALL LIQUOR
MEN COllPL AIN.
Several Appear Before the Finance
Committee in Their Interest.
OPPOSED TO INCREASED TAX.
Their Association Sends n Commune
cation-Thc Uniform Tax Of $50 to
Remain Tor This Year and DO In
creased TO SIS Next,
The Finance Committee Of the Cit

The Finance Committee OF the City
Council met last night and heard COM
plants from quite a number Of gentle
men concerning the assessment or
licenses.
Mr.. N. Kelly, the junk dealer, ap-
peared and stated that he had been pay
dnS S10o. and petitioned the committee to
reduce his license tax to $50.
Mr.. II A. Atkinson stated that he had
for the past two years paid $40 for prac-
ticins law in the city. when he should
not have paid but $40. lie felt satisfied
with license tax of $40. but was un-
willing TO pay $50.
DR.. w. ]. West was the next COM
plainant. and his complaint was pretty
much the same as that of Mr.. Atkinson.
:Nir. George Bannister appeared before
the committee and complained OF, Inc
propoyd increase of s15 for conducting
F, a LIQUOR business. He felt perfectly will
ing 10 pay the old tax OF $50
The firm Of W. l.. krug & brother
was represented by Mr.. w. l.. krug,
who complained of the proposed in
crease.
Mr.. Henry J. Hecke made practically
the same complaint as those who pre-
coded him.
e. j. Cook. colorcd. also appeared be-
fore the committee and complained OF
LIZ a1lCiedSc.
OPPOSED TO THE INCREASE.
nIr G. X Pollock. of Jackson Ward,
appeared before the committee and ask
ed in the interest of, his constituents That
the LIQUOR license be made $50 instead
OF s75.
Mr. fIardwicke, after explaining the
Short notice the liquor dealers had been
given, moved that the license be made
SEQ l,ptAi the Common Council could pass
1t + Iii MI
500. He spoke very plainly for the 800
tax. especially for the dealers whose in
comes do not justify the proposed IN
crease.
II think graduated license is the
proper thing" said Mr.. Hardwicke. he
therefore moved to haze a uniform tax
OF $50 for the present year, ana stated
that he was willing to have it MADE $40
next wear. His motion was then put and
carried
The following letter TO the Finance
Committee Of the Council from the Re-
.sil Liquor Dealers Association was
read:
COMPLAIN OF INCREASE:
.Gentlemen,-Wc, the undersigned. were
appointed by the presidents of the tBoard
of Aldermen and Common Counci, re-
spectiyely. as members of a COMMISSION
to arrange and recommend a system or
dACG0Se taxes lOi- tliC iSlaiA IN
and professional men of the city
The aiouor dealers whom we represent
have very reluctantly and with great
effort offered to pay a fiat license OF sto,
which lis la Very large increase an lace
of the fact that the specific war tax on
beer. wines etc, etc, has 10 De pau
exclusively by the retail liquor dealers.
..Our proposition of $40 is. very I'D
eral and voluntary one. showing that lhe
LIQUOR dealers, as a class. are always
Willing TO stand their full part IN 1he
way of taxation
..Nrr. Harrelson, Of your committee
moved as a member of the commission,
TO recommend the adoption of the oler
OF the liquor dealers. and MT. HalieI-
stein. chairman of the commission, maze
M, objection 10 the adoption.
ITO our great surprise, you Genueh'eh
nave seen fit to set aside the recommeh-
,7ation of the commission as to the re-
tail LIQUOR dealers and raised the sum
to 500, an amount larger than the trace
can stand under present conditions.
..we therefore, earnestly protest
against a 500 license tax. and respect
s,,lly asl, Nour honorable committee TO
reconsider your action and make the
retail liauor .aicense not higher than $40,
as agreed by the commission created .or
the nurpcse of arranging satisfactorily
the licenses of the city
Very respectfully,
.'MLa. H ZIAIN1EiAlANlN.
"a. w. ROSENE
The committee will meet again To-
might to hear further complaints.