The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-06
WANT A LAW
REPEALED,

Dover, Feb. 5.--A delegation of manu-
facturers met the members Of the Gen
eral Assembly in the House of ltepresen-
tatives this afternoon. The delegation
consisted of some Of the most repre-
sentative manufacturers Of Delaware
and the plant they maze was. OF the
unusual tax that has existed in Dela-
ware since 1871. Stress was laid OIL the
fact that foreign manufacturers We're
kept from the State that would otherwise
he glad to accept the advantages offered
by the nearness to the eastern markets
aud the exceptional transportation
facilities and waterways. The delega-
ton was met by the revenue and tax
alton committee.
The first speaker was Joseph l.. Car
penter, Jr,, OF the Board OF Trade OF
Wilmington, who said they did not wish
to decrease the revenue OF the State but
merely to change the mode of levylnS
the taxes oil manufacturers. Josiah
Marvel Of Wilmington stated their OBJ
ject was to abolish the law that requires
Il manufacturer to go before the clerks
Of the peace and say Il have bought so
much and l have done so much busi-
ness. This is detrimental to the welfare
Of industrial Delaware" MI. Marvel
said, ''he pays on his land, machinery
and everything he owns, and oil his pro-
duets. We want to fX this tax IN IL
manler that will not decrease the
revenue of the State, by introducing two
bills. First, under the corporation law
the corporations that existed before the
general corporation law was passed DO
no, have to pay tax. Make them pay
tax on their plants.
We have a proposition that manufac-
turcrs having machinery and plants and
not Incorporated shall make Il state
ment as to the value OF their plant and
machinery and then pay 50 cents on
$l,Ve0 according to the valuation OF that
plant. We come before you as business
men and large business men, not as tax
dodgers. The chairman Of this COM
nitlee is not Il manufacturer but real
estate man who knows that should this
tax be abolished his real estate will in
crease i'll value. We want to help you
to arrive at conclusion that Will be
just and fair TO every body
"if we want to so forward we have
got to make it possible for business men
to come here"
MN. LOBDELLS APPEAL.
W. ". Lobdell made, perhaps, the
most interesting address Of the meeting.
lie said in part;
"Whatcver action may be taken by the
Legislature that cOnduccS to the welfare
Of the prosperity Of Wilmington and
other towns of our State will be OF
great benefit to the agricultural interests
of Kent. Sussex and New Castle cOun-
ties. There should be continuity of
interests throughout the whole State and
Il feeling Of pride and satisfaction on the
part OF our rural population at the repu-
tation Wilmington has won in the marts
of the world, as well as by her own i'm
mediate citizens. Wilmington has won
her prominence by the unaided eXertions
of her citizens, i'll the face OF severe
competition and under many burdens
imposed upon her by the State.
"Ier ADVANCE has been won through
the abnormal grow til OF her established
business houses, by reason Of the ability
Of their proprietors and the skill and
industry of her mechanics and citizens.
than by any influx from outside sources,
which her natural geographical position
and rail ard water communication should
entitle her to.
"She now comes to you through her
representative body, and asks some
measure OF relief from burdensOmc
State tax, imposed many years ago, when
the State badly needed revenue, Il tax
so inuuiSiturial in its nature that it
offers an nducement to those whose con-
sciences are flexible to practice eQrvoca-
ton and deceit. A tax burdensome be-
cause not laid upon profits, but upon i'll
Iustry-upon commodities bought, not
sold--a tax upon the privileges of em-
ployng labor. 1t has been truthfully
said that one who gives employment to
those who need it is Il public benefactor
but the State evidently does not so con-
slider it, as the more labor a manufac-
turer employs the more he is taxed by
the State.
"a tax that dctcrs foreign capital from
locating in our State; building of large
manufacturing interests - employing
labor that would create demand for our
agricultural products-surely is not n
judiciouS one. AS one for many years
concerned in efforts to induce manu-
facturers from other localities to locate
here, have been met with the objection
that the tax laws Of our State were
onerous and not equitable and did not
offer sufficient Inducements in contrast
with those of other States where local
advantages would be greater.
st is this condition that we ask you to
remedy and make such modification in
the State tax laws as will remove these
~, ,J hn Stntn tn ri
tain the location Of some of the cor
porate companies within its borders, that
will avail themselves OF our very liberal
incorporation laws that have brought so
much extra rcvennc to our State treas
llry, which revenuc. tho State bids fair
to enjoy as long as the present prosper
Gus conditions exist throughout the
country.
"A manufacturing business is not al
ways profitable, and its per cent. Of
profits when successfully conducted in
proportion to the amount of money in
vested in real estate, tools and fixtures,
and working capital is rarely as great as
many other lines Of trade. The amount
Of tax State, county and municipal
manufacturer is compelled to pay is
out of proportion to that paid by other
industries, when the net revenue derived
thercfrom is considered. Particularly is
this so in the case of our largest manu-
facturcrs, as the prosecution of their
business requires very large amount
Of valuable real estate. The buildings
alone in some instances covering many
acres, which, with the grounds, are sub
jcct to city and county tax of about
80 It,.l, ,,n1,x