The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-12
COMMIT TEE HEAR
LIQUOR DEALERS
They Appear in Opposition to
Harrison Tax 0rdi-
nance.

The Finance Committee is up to its
chin in great problems. Tuesday,it heard
the railroad magnates, yesterday the
liquor dealers and manufacturers, and to-
day it will, in conjunction with the Az
ricultural committee, hear argument
against a resolution to exempt new IN
dustries from local taxation.
The session yesterday was largely at
tended :Eyy: representatives of the liquor
interestarom all parts of the State, and
by members of town Councils. They
iulliversally protested against the Harri-
son staxation scheme, which provides for
| a. high license to be levied exclusively
by. the State.
Mr. J ohm NJ s Higgins introduced the
speakers, and took occasion to pay the
convention and the committee a most
era ceful compliment.
The saloon-keepers had as spokesman
Mr. E.. r. Woodward, of Roanoke, presl-
dent of the. State Liquor Dealers Asso-
citation; Mr.. W., II. Zimmerman. of Rich
mond, and Mr.. Thomas Fitzgibbon, OF
Norfolk. The speakers contended that
of dealers out of business; that if all
revenue was taken away from towns and
cities it would not be long before local
option prevailed; that innumerable speak
easies. would result, the local authorities
having no financial interest in the busi-
ness, relaxing their police supervision;
the State would lose an immense amount
Of revenue because the local incentive
to collect the tax would be destroyed.
The manufacturers were represented by
Mr.. A. Won n. Rosenegk. who forclHy
argued that the destruction OF saloons
meant; the destruction OF the hreWerles
and the immense amount OF capital ana
property they represented. He said brew
ers and manufacturers already had
to, advance money to a great many
tax, and ifsit was increased they would
be compelled to so out of business and
the demand would be cut off.
All the speakers declared that high
license. IL. the revenue was divided be-
tween the State and municipalities, would
not $50 serious. ASH proposed. the Bar
bour-Quarles resolution was. not "A cir
cumstance to the havoc that an exclusive
State revenue li.-.nse would plaT with
the legitimate conduct of the business.
Mr.. 'Cephas Mowma, City Attorney OF
Roanoke, in behalf OF that and3other
CITY Councils showed the disastrous eff
feet the law would, have on the revenues
of the. cities, and contendcd that the
State would lose largely If reason OF
failure, to- collect the revenue and the
establishment of speak-easies that would
not pay a dollar. All the speeches were
brief and to the point, Mr.. Fitzgibbon
especially making q clear cut, impressive
argument.
Besides a large delegation from Rich
mond the 8 following out-of-town dele
gates were present: j.. z. Prince. Thomas
s., Fitzgibt:on. S. C. Davidson. John Les
.ner, George Frank; C. H. Holiday. D.
MaIore, George Palmer, and sylvanus
Stokes OF Norfolk: Joseph Joyce. a. b.
:Kemps:, Of Portsmouth: John Stanher.
Berkeley; o. E. Hatcher. Danville. ana
four delegates from Phoebus and Hamp-
ton.
The subcommittee. composed Of Messrs.
Boaz keezell, Hamilton. B. L. Gordon,
and Meredith. will meet Friday afternoon
to consider and report on the railroad.
LIQUOR license, and exemption of manu-
features from local tax questions. Inc
full committee will not meet again until
this report is ready to be made.