Evening journal., 1901-02-06
URGE REPEAL
Oh TAKSYSTEM
LPgiSIa urc Hears Board Oi
Trade Delegation
LEADING BUSINESS MEN THERE
They Favor Substitute Bills That Will
Prevent The State From Losing
Any RCTenuC
LEADING BUSINESS MEN THERE

star Correspondence Evening Journal.
Dover. Feb. 6.--Nfanufacturers and
prominent business men OF the state oc-
cupicd the attention OF both Houses Of
the Legislature yesterday afternoon I'M
explaining the bill excmpting manufac-
turers from State taxation. The bill will
allow the old tax rate to remain on real
estate but win BOt require manufac-
turer to file with the clerk OF the peace a
statement Of all the details Of his busi-
ness.
The committee Of the Board OF Trade
suggested "A substitute bill assessing .
special tax OF 50 0cents a thUnsand.on the
capital stock Of industrial concerns. II,
suggested that ,unincorporated companies
be required TO file an attested statement
of the valuation Of their properties.
The meeting was under the auspices Of
the House Committee on Revenue and
Taxation, OF which Dr. Moore is chair
man.
Joseph T.. cafpsntSr, Jr... chairman off
the Industrial Committee, introduced the
speakers. Others in the delegation were
Howard T. Wallace. president OF the
Diamond State Steel Company; William
w Lobdell. Of the Lobdell Car Wheel
Company: Charles Taylor. Of Taylor X
Hawthorne; Jerome B. Bell. OF the Sun
day Star; Colonel w. ID. w. Dimock,
secretary O. the Harlan and Hollings-
worth Company; William 1lawton, presi-
dent OF the Board OF 7rTqde; JOSIAH Map
vel and William r.. Smalley, legal repre-
sentatives of the committee.
Mr.. Carpenter said the delegation was
not present to ask the Legislature TO de-
crease the revenue of the State, but to
provide for levying It in another manner.
lie called on Josiah Marvel to explain the
bill which he did.
Mr. Marvel suggested that William W.
Lobdcl on behalf Of the COMMITTEES,
should express his views OF the subject
under discussion. Mr.. Lobdell said in
part;
"A tax that deters foreign capital from
locatng in our State-huilding up large
lnanufacturipg interest, employing labor
that would create a demand for our agri-
cultural products, surely Is not jude
cious one. AS one for many years con
cerned in efforts 20 induce manufacturers
from other localities TO locate here have
been met with the objection that the tax
laws of our State were onerous and lOt
equitable, and did not offer sufficient in
dncements in contrast with. those Of other
States where local advantages would be
greater
1T is this condition that we ask you TO
remedy and make such modification in
the State tax laws as will remove these
objections and enable the State to obtain
the location of some Of the corporate
companies within its borders, that will
avail themselves Of our very liberal IN
corporation laws that have brought so
much extra revenue TO our State treas
ury, which revenue the State bids fair
20 enjoy as long as the present prosperous
conditions exist throughout the country.
a manufacturing business is not al
ways profitable, and its percentage OF
profit 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
that or many other lines OF trade The
amount Of tax-State, county and munic-
ipal--a manufacturer is compelled 10 nay
is out Of proportion to that paid by other
industries, when the net revenue derived
therefrom IL considered. Particularly Is
tnis so in the case Of our largest manu-
facturers, as the prosecution OF their
business requires a very large amount of
valuable real estate. The buildings alone
IN some instances covering many acres
which, with the ground are subjected To
city Gnu county tax of about s. on the
500 assessed on high valuation. An
other tax TO which he is subjected
which, however. the State is not respon.
eible-is the large amOdpt OF insurance
he has to carry and the great depreciation
IN buildings tools and fixtures and ma
chinery generally considered as at leas
10 per cent. per annum.
"We recognize the fact that the Star,
must have revenue and that It must coms
from taxation. We do not wish to escap,
from our just share. We only ask thai
the burden shall be equalzed. and so laif
as not 10 bear too heavily upon any par
ucular class OF our citizens, or so as [,
deter or prevent the location OF industrie
IN our midst which would open new mar
kets for our agricultural products.
speak not only as represeptiug the manu-
featuring interests. but the agriculture
as well. ! have under my charge farr
lands IN Wilmington. New Castle an,
BrandyTine hundreds Of New Cast,
county aggregating some $50 OF ZOO acres
and. know full we'll the announcement
and small profits of the farming interests
especlally where a portion Of the farr
iands le IN Wilmington hundred. and ar
subjected 70 a. city as well as q count
tax. | would not seek 10 place additionq
burdens on the agriculturist. but frml
believe that the future prosperity OF tha
class in our State. depends not so muc
upon the cultivation Of cereal crops a
upon small fruits, vegetables and dair
products
There is nothing that will conduce 3
much 10 the prospaity OF this class A
home markets Build up Wilmington an
the towns OF the State by Offering induce
nents TO manufacturers TO locate there
make our tax laws such as win enabl
US TO offer greater inducements tha
other localities. Note the great increas
Of population Of the cities on our boz
ders-Reading. Chester and Camden
OF winch, without any natural advantae
Of location over us. have the influence Z
powerful state and railroad Interest
back n them, whilst we have nothing br
n n unnidod off..fc fxs..o ne 4. :. -