The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-20

There is hardly a chance in thous-
and of the amended license tax ordi-
nance passing the gauntlet of councils,
and the probabilities are that ii will
be killed in select council tomorrow
night, when it is billed to come up on
third reading.
This or that feature Is Objectionable
to this or that councilman, and when
all the objectors combined, as was
done through informal conference dur
ing the past week, 1t was found that
majority of the body was in the
combination. They have agreed that
the only safe and sure way of defeat
ing the several Objectionable clauses
Is to defeat the whole measure. A
new ordinance with the Objectionable
features left out will be drafted If the
defo at of the present bill is encom-
passed.
The most serious objection is to the
clause taxing trolley companies five
per cent. of their gross receipts. The
Scranton Railway company, the only
trolley company now operating in the
city, has annual gross receipts amount
ing in round numbers to $500,000. Five
pei cent. of this is 5000. According
to the city fathers opposing the meas
ure on account of this clause, the
trolley company simply couldn't pay
such a tax and live. 1t is hardly fair
at all events, they say, to tax the
money the company pays out in wages
to the hundreds of Scranton men to
whom it gives employment. a one
per cent. tax, together with the poll
tax of $1,000 or SO per annum, which
the company is now and has been for
years paying the city, would be all
that could reasonably be counted upon
for the company TO contribute, they
argue. Some are willing to compro-
mise on a tax of $l00 "A year on all
cars in actual use. This would mean
tax of about $1,000 year.
FEAR RETALIATION.
The tax of 81 900 on water companies
is another feature meeting vigorous
criticism and objection. The Scranton
| Gas and Water company simply won't
| pay the tax, the objectOrS argue. Just
as soon as the tax is imposed the city s
| water rates will go UP correspondingly.
Years ago the city and the water COM
pany made n contract whereby the city
was to have water for its hydrants
and public building for $4,000 a year.
| The contract has expired, but by mu-
| tual agreement it has been allowed
to continue in force year after year
| without any formal renewal. When
| the contract was made there were
about 250 hydrants in the city. Now
there are 525 and besides the city is
| daily using thousands Of gallons of
| water for street cleaning purposes,
which it is not at all entitled to under
| the contract or any parol understand
| ing. The company didn't object.
That's all. The man at the head of
the Scranton Gas ana Water COM
pany has reputation for being any
thing but passive when he thinks he
isn't being treated fair. In this in
| stance he has q think of that kind
coming, it is averred and there is
| so II is said, a majority of the coun-
| ellis who will think with him.
There are kicks also against various
of the smaller items, such as the sl5
tax on nucksters and the $25 tax or
insurance agents.
! TIE ordinance is now on third read
ing in select council, or at least will
be in that order of BUSINESS, when re.
ported in it's amended form tomorrow
night. Should the selectmen pass 1t
which is not at all likely, it would
still have the common council to con,
tend with, and as that body, by al
| overwhelming vote, declared for on'
per cent. tax on street railways, the
fate Of the measure, should it evel
reach the lower house, can readily bt
| foreSecn,