Evening star., 1902-04-29
District Commissioners For
ward One to Congress Today.
PRESENT ACT OBSOLETE
CHANGES. IN THE FEES AS ASKED
FOR BY COMMISSIONERS.
Raise in the Price to Be Paid by Cir
cuses and Other Travelling Amuse-
ments.

warded to the Senate committee and House
committee on the District Of Columbia,
copies of new bill designed ito prescribe
license taxes in the District Of Columbia.
and for other purposes" recommending the
early enactment Of such law. In their
letter Of transmittal, the Commissioners
say:
''The license laws under which the Dig
trict is operating, are acts Of the late leg
islative assembly, made more than thirty
years ago, and in consequence Of the great
space of time that has elapsed since their
enactment, and the fact that in many in
stances an almost complete change of con-
ditions has taken place. these laws are, to
certain extent. obsolete, and it is there
fore imperative that they should be re-en-
tions thereto.
During the period named, the population
has more than doubled, and it is necessary
to Increase the number Of businesses, occu-
pations, etc, that should pay license taxes.
at least 30 per cent. The bill also pro-
vides for increase and reductions In the
amount of the tax imposed under the pres
ent law, to meet existing conditions.
For the information Of the two District
committees annotations have been made
on the margins Of the sheets Of the bill,
showing what Is new matter, and pointing
out the changes proposed in the existing
law.
1t Is provided in the bill that no person
shall engage in any trade, profession or
calling. Tor which a license is imposed,
without having obtained such license. The
application for license Is to be made to the
assessor, and no certificate shall be issued
until the fee for the same Is paid. The
license is to date from the first day Of No
vember in each year and to be in force
until the last day Of October Of each year.
Licenses may be assigned but fee Of so
cents is charged therefor. Licenses may
he issued also for a portion Of the license
year, and 1t is provided that they shall date
from the first day Of the month upon which
application is made.
Some Changes.
Some of the important changes proposed
in the bill are: For apothecares' license
there is an increase in the, fee from $5 to
SO year. Auctioneers are to pay, as at
present, $1OO per annum. Commission mer-
chants pay, as now, $40 year, with GER
tain conditions attached as to the conduct
Of their business. The fee Of cattle deal
ers is decreased from $16 to SIS per annum.
The fee for hack drivers is SO for vehicles
drawn by one horse, 50 for vehicles drawn
by more than one horse, and 80 for all auto
or mechanical vehicles used for passenger
hlre The person lisensed Is required to
wear In conspicuous place badge indi-
eating that he is a licensed driver of the
vehicle.
tFopfietofs OF hFery stables are required
to pay $50 per annum for stables contain
ing fifteen stalls and 81 extra for each addi-
tlonal stall, and 1t is provided that nothing
In this section Is to be construed so as to
exempt livery stable keepers from paying
additional license for operating any de-
scription of vehicle occupying a public
stand.
new section is added requiring proprfe-
tors OF places where mechanical vehicles
are Kept for hire to pay a license of S25 a
year.
There is also added new section reauir-
ing persons, firms or corporations operat-
ing vehicles for hire with sufficient regular
lty TO take passage therein al any point in
.ermed1ate to the stable or stand shall paw
20 Tor vehicle seating ten passengers and
persons. WA
There Is no change in the license of real
estate brokers. who pay $50 a year. A new
section Is introduced for stock brokers' who
are to pay 500 per annum Railroad ticket
brokers are to be assessed s25 per annum
owners or public lodging houses are as
seSsed % cents year for each bed room
caterers are to pay a license Of $1S year.
restaurant keepers and proprietors Of Ice
cream parlors are to pay $1S a year. This
sectlon does not apply to hotel keepers.
l mere is no change In the fee of the license
tpi 1T .heaters' 800 per annum. but under
Inns section performances may be licensed
1or one week on payment of q license fee
OF S2o, and for less than a week for $40.
ana Tor one day for So. For exhibitions Of
anu pictures or Otler works of
art including flower, cattle and poultry
SHOWS, museum attractions and side shows
s she Zee Is 81 day, $40 for the first week and
slo0 Tor year. For concerts. exhibitions
ana entertainments a fee Of 50 for each
night Is charged
Clrcuses and Other Shows.
Clrcuses are to be assessed 5000 for each
DAY or their exhibition; this fee is now 500
a week or any part thereof Owners Of base
oafl, polo or athletic grounds where games
are played are assessed $50 week or S. a
day Grounds used sfor picnics, lawn fetes
or outdoor theatricals are charged So per
diem, $40 week and IS for each additional
week. this is decrease Of 81 day from
the present law. Buildings used as skating
rlnks, Tor fairs, carnvals or amusements
not otherwise provided for are assessed So
a day, $40 week and S. for each additional
week. A new section prescribes a fee of
Sl2 per annum on shooting galleries. fencing
schools, public gymnasiums and places
Where firearms are used or self-defense
taught. Certain conditions also surround
the issue Of the license for this class of es-
tablishment. Merry-go-rounds are required
to pay fee Of $12 for the first week and
$40 for each subsequent week, this being an
Increase of 81 a week over the present law.
A new section requires the owners Of slot
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