Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-02-13
A(AINSI LICENSE TAX
AClliN BY MtRCnANI,
Al SPECIAL MttllNG
COMMITTEE WILL APPEAR BE.
FORE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
RESoLuTIoN-To RETAIN
AN ATTORNEY.

~ obN'ihl inviting VI Nn' "'l uhllN o
Association was held yesterday after
noon for the purpose Of dis 2ussing taA.
alton and when the argument had been
completed, II was decided to ask the
Legislature that there be no license tax
whatever placed on the merchants
There was a large attenoance at the
meeting George w. Smith presiding
He stated that the meeting had been
called in response to the invitation %
the caucus of Republican members of
the Legislature which wanted the views
Of the association on the license pro-
visions in the proposed County Bill.
He stated that the bill was too bur
densome and too great tax, reading
as an example, Section $50, relating u
license taxes.
After some preliminary discussion u.
w. Macfarlane said II was his opinion
that drummers should be licensed AZ
well as merchants. but since II haG
been decided that license on drummers
could not be collected, the merchants
who had stocks of goods here and wbG
paid both property and Income taxes
would be foolish II they submitted to
a license tax. He was in favor OF
to the Legislature the
entire abolition of the merchan Use lie
ense. The old law should be stricken
from the code and no license law at all
passed, except as to special lines o.
business. He said further that he be-
lieved drummers could be caught under
the income tax law.
NJ. Phillips said II the license law
we're passed at all every business man
should pay IL, He was OF the opinion
that there should be fiat license. The
commission man was hurting the mer-
chants more than the drummer. This
view was shared by Mr. LANCE.
On motion Of Mr.. Macfarane. the as
ISOLATION then adopted the following
unanimously.
Resolved, That It is the sense OF
this Association that the merchants OF
Honolulu do not favor 7 merchandise
license, and that the Association com
mittee on public affairs 20 report to
the Republican caucus"
There was more discussion after ths
passage OF the resolution, Mr.. Hamburg
saying he was in favor OF a fiat lie
ense Of, say $3.50 for the wholesaler.
$3.50 for the commission ran, and $50
for the retailer. Mr.. Harris said that
some special lines of business were
properly taxed because they were under
public inspection. II WAS right that
they should pay for that special care.
Not so OF merchandising and merchants
should not pay for the privilege of do
ing business. Mr.. Waliron said he
would be glad to pay license of $500
as a commission man bu, he did not
believe II could be collected,
II was decided that the public af-
fairs committee. consisting OF Messrs.
Geo. w. Smith, L. a. McInerny ana
James Wakefield shou.d present the
view Of the association to The RepublI
can caucus Saturday afternoon.
The following letter from Governor
Doles secretary was read:
Honolulu. February 9.
u lu' MflNlldillH ASSbtlHllOu.
Gentlemen:-I am requested by the
Governor to ask that you inform him
as to what assistance your body wishes
from the Government for the exposl
lions in Japan and st. louis. and also
at Portland, II an exhibit at this latter
exposition can be arranged by the
transfer of all or part OF the st. Louis
exhibit on its closing.
Very respectfully.
ALEX. G. HALVES,
Secretary to the Governor.
Mr.. Macfarlane said that $50 ,00O
should be appropriated for Hawaii's
exhibit at the St Louis Exposition and
on motion of Mr.. Harris II was resolv
ed that the association ask the Legis
lature for that amount.
On motion Of Mr., Macfarlane, the
directors of the association were EN-
powered to retain an attorney to lool
cut for the interests of the merchants
before the Legislature and elsewhere
The meeting then adjourned.