Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-02-09
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL.
Meeting Ful, of spirit and oratory

Meeting Full of spirit and Oratory
Every member of Council was in attend
ance at the regular meeting on Tuesday
evening last. The unusual honor of a large
attendance of our own citizens, also a
delegation from Mantua Grange, bearing
a resolution, the subject matter Of which
appears later in this report Of the meeting,
was done our City Fathers.
Solicitor Avis gave as his opinion that
Council has the right to appoint any suit
able person to act as a special officer, and
then Mr.. Schomber was appointed special
officer for the German Singing Society.
Mr. Cattel, of the Special committee in
the Public Service Corporation. reported
that he had a conference with Mr. Gilkin-
son, oil that corporation on the 25th of
January That he asked Mr. Giltinson to
have his corporation comply with the
Ordinances Of the City same as any private
citizen. That gentleman replied that it
was impossible for the company to give the
number of cars run by them, and procure
license for same. Continuing Mr.. Cattell
gave minute and interesting account of
the maneuvers of the company to secure
the acceptance Of a warrant by the city for
$3.50, without furnishing the Clerk with the
number of cars run or applying for license
for same.
Clerk Estell then reported his part in
the matter He said that on February a
young man called on him and presented a
check for car license, but made no applica-
tion for license, or did he specify the num-
Der of cars run into the city. For that rea-
son he refused the check
Mr. Watkins was given privilege of the
floor, and stated that be appeared as the
representative of the Public Service Cor
poration He thought this whole trouble
proceeded from a misunderstanding between
both parties. He then proceeded to explain
that legislative act required this corpora
tion to pay to the State Board of Assessors
two per cent. of their gross receipts. as a
franchise tax. The same act allows them
to deduct from this tax any moneys paid
for license fees, SO it made no difference to
the city whether a license was paid or not
Ii no license was paid, the whole of this
tax came to the city, if license was paid,
the amount so paid was deducted from the
franchise tax
Mr. Cattell replying to Mr. Watkins said
he was looking to the future While it
was all true that this corporation had
placed in the end Of the franchise tax law a
clause allowing rebates or amounts paid in
license fees it was true that if a legislature
passed that law, another legislature could
repeal it and then unless we enforce this
clause Of this ordinance where will the City
of Woodbury. be then?
Mr.. Cattell reviewed the whole history
Of the trouble the city has had to collect
this franchise tax Mr.. Cattell said the
Hon. D O. Watkins asserted that this cor
poration was anxious to obey the ordinance
of the city. He then proceeded to show
that the city had good deal Of trouble to
get them to pay the least attention to the
city or the ordinance. He showed by dates
that the corporation had been derelict in
/ payment of licenses since 1898, and even
yet violated the ordinance as to transfers in
the city. On motion Mr. Cattell was asked
to reduce his report to writing, aud same
would be spread in full on the minutes
Carried
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR.
Feb. 7th 1905
70 President and Members Of city Couucil,
GENTLEMEN
On the 3rd inst Mr.. Cattell, member
of City Council, made sworn complaint
before me against certain conductors and
motormen of the Camden, Gloucester &
Woodbury. Railway Co for running cars in
the city without having licenses. properly
posted in said cars, and requested that
criminal warrants be issued for their arrest.
referred the matter to'our City Solicitor
by letter dated Feb. 4th 1905, as per copy
hereto attached. You will also find copy
Of the City Solicitors opinion dated Feb.
9Th, 1905, in reply to my letter. In accord
auce with the opinion Of the City Solicitor,
would recommend that you demand
strict compliance from the Camden, Glou-
cester & Woodbury. Railway CO. of all pro-
visions of their franchise ordinances, and if
they fail to comply with the demand, then
commence proper legal proceedings.
/ have called the Councils attention
heretofore to number Of violations OF the
ordinances and recommended that action be
taken, but nothing has ever been done
Hoping this matter will have your inn
mediate attention, l remain,
I tf..ll