The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-04-09
BUSINESS MEN
FAVOR LICENSES
Report Unanimously Adopted
and Will be Submit
ted at Election.

bl6bS.0O WAS huOpleu unanimously
motion TO submit the proposed ordi'
nance, leyying the tax, TO popular vote
was defeated after some discussion, J. II. |
Albert proposing that the matter be re-
ferred to the city council without recon-
mendation, and his motion prevailed by
large vote.
The meeting W az well attended by re-
preventative business men and property
owners of the Capitol City and includ'
ed Mayor G. P. Bishop, City Recorder
n. J. Judah ana Aldermen Griswold,
Riggs and Walker.
In calling the meeting to order and
stating the purpose for which it was
called, Chairman Darcy supplemented
his remarks with an informal speech
urging that the present city adminibtra-
tion be sustained in it's earnest effort TO
conduct the city on a cash basis. 1t was
not partisan meeting in any sense, but
IL was incumbent upon the citizens OF
Salem to maintain the integrity and
honor Of the city government. He rid
iculed the idea Of dispensing with street
lights or the paid fire department,as had
been suggested, and argued that in its
municipal life Salem should progress
rather than experience a backward
growth.
At this point the report Of the COM
mittee OF business men was called for
aud Chairman Bigger read the docu-
ment. II reviewed the financial condi-
tion OF the city and showed that by a
declination Of the assessed valuation OF
city property, the revenues Of the city
had been reduc d approximately S2l00
that one saloon had suspended business,
the license from which amounted "a
500, and that the adjustment of slot
machines had reduced the license rev.
enue OF the city $1,000, these different
items, aegregating $500, having been
included in the estimate Of the city's re-
sources for the year, and upon which
the levy was made. The committee as
sumes that under the law which directs
the county court 20 make an allowance
for bridge and road work in incorporated
cities, the expense item Of $1,000 on this
account, can be eliminated from the esti.
mate made and would reduce the prob
able deficit 10 $500. The committee
found it necessary for the city TO do one
OF three things Run along on the in.
come as long as it lasted and then issue
warrants 10 be cared for in the next
levy cut down the running expenses of
the city 1880 for the year, or
by license raise sufficient amount OF
money 10 provide for the deficit. Com.
mittes did not take the first suggestion
into consideration aud OF the remaining
plans decided upon the leyying of an oc.
cdpation tax as the most expedient,
and suggested 1t only as temporary.
In concluding its report, the commit.
tee says: 1.-THE legal status OF license
ordinance, such "a has been suggested,
has not been considered by your com.
mittee. Its success or failure depends
somewhat upon the spirit with which
il ID received by our citizens. Believing
that your action will be along the line
which leads TO civic honor this report
is respectfully submitted.
Upon motion of Thomas Holman the
report OF the committee was adopted by
unanimous vote aud the motion Of
Mayor Bishop that vote Of thanks be
extended the committee for the prepara-
tion OF the report, received a similar ex-
preston.
r. Z. Boise Jr, offered a motion that
when the council had formulated the
ordinanance leyying the occupation tax
the matter be Submitted toa pop
ular vote. City Recorder Judah
seconded the motion j. h.
Albert said the council was not author.
ICED 10 submit such matters 10 vote of
the people. To enact the proposel or.
d,nance would be but an ordinary
exercise OF the powers OF that bOiy as
vested in the members OF the council bv
the rity charter. I, hoIl an election
ON the matter would Nra fcalvss ex.
pm aud would serv- no gr.,t pprpos, ,
lsadure ureenbaum au Chairman
pa g. agreed Nitn Mr. Albert. Re.
cordyl Judah -aid the council had taken
iuto lie confidence many OF the citizens
OF the city in the consideration Of the
strained financial condition OF the city.
aud were desirous OF taking all Of the
citizens into their confidence by sub.
Uniting the matter 10 the people Tor An
expression. lie indicated that the ex.
pence incident 10 the proposed elect ON
would deyolve upon the city. Alter
some further discussion participated in
by Mayor Bishop, Alderman GrisWold.
\. Friedman, h. 2, Boise, J. NJ. Chase
aud Chairman D'ATcy, Mr.. Albert Of.
Tered motion that the pending motion
DO referred 10 the city council without
recommendation. The principal obiec.
ton 10 submitting the matter "a
popular vote Was based on the
grounds that Il affected only busi.
ness and professional men AMI
ANY expression az 90 the popularity
ID the 0ocupAtion tax shOull coms from
A h.na