New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
THE FRANCHISE TAX.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Your editorial in to-day's issue Of The
Tribune is not only seasonahle but eminenty fair
and sound in principle. The opposition to the
Franchise Tax act has assumed formidable pro-
portions and the chief champions Of the down
trodden' public service corporations. quasi pub
lie corpora tions. invoking the laws Of nature
and the shades of Magma Charta and appealing for
sympathy from the people. Their representatives
have always been capable of high class acting
upon unrnitigated and the public is &C
custcmed to that sort of hist-ionic exhibition. We
know that the public has been guilty of gross un-
fairness in riding on the cars of the Metropolitan
Street Railway Company, (presteD the Inter
urban Company, and the Manhattan IL" roads.
and actually permitting themselves to he packed
in like common freight with only low sullen
unurunur esca ping and then; the public should
not have waited long. and it unfair to these
forgetfuI companies with weak official memories
that the people did not protest vigorously years
ago. All that we knew and more. but frankly the
public did not know that these cornorations. OPP
pressed and browbeaten. could actually employ
representatives to revolutionze and upset the ee-
rnentary law of real property, raise hue and cry
about 'inaIienable rights being violated and human
liberty being endangered and after looking eau
tiously and fearfUy around. yell in the aggregated
stentorian tones of plunGered salaried attorneys
.Stop thief! Yes after claiming that franchises
not real property "a heresy abominahle since
the time when the memory of man runneth not to
the contrary. they strike meodramatic attitude
leries and pleading affeetngly for human liberty,
while the very portals of justice seem to weep ex-
claim: I'VE are pa ying thousands of dollars
worth of taxes, licenses and percentages, the
price of our interpretations do not enjoy any
specal privileges that other business corpora
ton does not enjoy. and besides, actually carry
the rublic at cents g ride. 1t is true we have
the right of way in your streets, but look at the
blessings we shower upon your heads. The right
Of way not worth anything to us; no. It IS the
nrsv!lege of incorporating value. and If we
did not consent to take the right of way, one
would. and would be obliged to walk, or go in
airships 10 business.
II would seem that some Of the supporters of the
Franchise Tax waverine. because they allege
that the law irnprac cticable and fncaDab'e OF
enforcement RiVht very right If these corpora ton
IaUve-s have their wav ANYTHING in their oDinion.
If the real true friends of human liberty listen to
will he many years before anything
touching or limiting corporate preroeatVes VIII DC
cried down in the name of Magma Charta. the Bill
Of thfs United States Of America is precious doeu-
rnent framed by the chamrfons OF freedom IN the
Interest of all the people. but If Its founders could
onlv glance for moment at the antics these cor
failing and stretching provisions, ve~ily. they
would hasten the Resurrection. ] am no raolo
hater of legftfme te business enterprise ana am
not one to proclaim from the housetops perpetual
eIrpitv to lawful corporate combination out tnese
agerecations of ca1ital need no sympathy
and p mere glance at the statute books will snow
10 a candid mind that they have always en1oyeu
more than a fair portion or protection anu III
rnunitv Truly have they been the dari1nss OF ths
arkia goddess: If thev would be wise. let them nof
tempt Providence and kick over the beehlves,
'''"P' A L. HIRSCHBERG.
Mount Vernon n. Y. January, 13, 1903