The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-03

1917 and thereafter..o . per cent
Second-That the above percenta Ges
on our gross earnings are to be in lieu
of all taxation or licenses of any kind
by the municipality upon the property,
or earnings of the company. or other
wise.
Third-That the ordinance already
passed by the city authorities, creating
a tax of per cent. upon the earnings
of this company shall be rescinded.
Fourth-That ordinances shall be
passed covering taxation in accordance
with the above proposition, in such
form as shall be agreed upon between
the city solicitor and the counsel Of
this company.
In conclusion, we desire to say that
we have done our utmost in this mat
ter. to consider this question in the
right spirit of fairness and justice, and
have gone as far as we COULD conscl-
entiously, to meet your views. the eX-
treme limit of ) per cent. being reached
in the above rising scale of taxation,
notwithstanding the fact that as far as
our knowledge goes, there Is not city
under 100000 population, and very few
of any size in the United States, where
any such rates of taxation are imposed
Very truly yours,
Scranton Railway Company,
BY c. NJ. Clark, President.
With the remark that the Scranton
Railway company had started the new
year very promisingly. Mr.. Taylor took
his seat in the rear of the council
chamber.
Mr.. Keller remarked that he thought
the offer of the railway company was
worthy of careful consideration and
was followed by President Calpin. who
had fire in his eye and who looked "a!l
manner of things"
II want to tell you, gentlemen said
he, that l for one am not at all I'M
pressed with the offer of the Scranton
Railway company. l am not bit sur
prised that at this late day its othcefs
should be attacked With IL spasm o.
virtue and should begin to make
grand stand play. This offer isn't
" orth ii snap of my finger. Just see
how generous they are. They'll pay
us all of ; per cent. in 1917. They.
pay that much long before that time II
we have any kind of decent legislation
IF this other offer of 100000 Is maIt
in good faith and is iona tide 1t will
have my hearty support, but If 1t il
clothed in techncalities and has ?
string attached. as it appears, | say
am not in favor of it. / don't hesitate
to say that the forfeiture of $500,
would be the best investment the Scrar.
ton Railway company ever made if Il
can tie up these ordinances for two
years and keep out this new enterprise.
I'VE don't want any sand thrown in
our eyes. If these people, who ever
they are, are sincere let them submit
an offer in line with what they say. ]
can't help referring to the offer of the
an insult to this council, that's wha
it is, and l am surprised to see rep
resentative of the board of trade ap-
pearing as an apologist for this COM
pany. I'm surprised to see him coming
in here with a proposition like this at
this particular time. It's altogether
wrong, i owe the company no apology
and can speak as l feel"
Loud applause from nearly ever
present greeted President CAL
pins speech. Mr.. Taylor had bee
chatting nervously in the back of the
room while President Caipin was talk
ing and when the latter had concluded.
asked to be given the privilege of the
1oor again to make reply. The motion
vas put and lost by an overwhelming
vote of twenty-nine to eight.
Action on the West End ordinanr.
VAS then postponed until next Thurs
lay night