The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-16
STANDARD OIL IN
SUPREME COURT
Cause of the Trust Against City
Of Fredericksburg Argued
Yesterday.
QUESTION OF CONSTITUTION
Alleged That Fundamental Law
Of Nation is Involved-sum-
mary of Yesterday.
QUESTION OF CONSTITUTION

Argument VIII be heard to-day in the
Supreme Court OF Appeals IN the case Of
the standard OH Company va. City OF
fredericksburg Involving an alleged vio-
lation of that section OF the Constitution
OF the United States forbidding the en-
forcement of discriminating laws.
BY section "a OF it's tax ordinances for
the year from April 80. 1868 to May i,
1904. the city of Fredericksburg levied a
license tax OF sl50 against any party
selling kerosene or other illuminating
oil in the city of Fredericksburg. but with
proviso in the said ordinance tint tho
tax should be levied only against such
parties selling such Kerosene or other
Illuminating oil as should transport the
Same in tank cars or through pipe lines.
The Standard Oil Company resisted the
collection of the license tax Of sl50 as
sessed against 1t under tho Bald ordinance.
but the Judgment OF the Corporation
Court OF fredericksburg, rendered De-
cember 10. 1904, sustained the contention
of the plaintiff as to that tax. But by
section 20 Of Its license tax ordinances
for the fiscal year extending from HAY J.,
1904. to Aprn 80. 1906 the city OF Fred
ericksburg, according to the appellant, has
attempted to discriminate among tho
class composed Of those selling kerosene
or other illuminating oil In the city, and
to make the Standard OH Company alone
liable to the TAX OF sl5o. which Is again
designed TO escape the technical objec-
lions which rendered the former ordl-
nance Chat. for 19Os-'o4) invalid"
Pie case. as stated, involves an al
legged violation OF tho Constitution CT the
United States. The Standard OIL COM
pany assigns as error in the Judgment OF
the fredericksburg court that 1t assumed
that. the charter OF the city conferred
upon It taxing powers, Including the
power to impose license taxes. as broad
as the power possessed by the State
ITSELF when by the provisions OF the char
ter the power OF the CITY to license 10
required by the State; that the city OF
Fredericksburg has no power to levy a
license tax upon manufacturing: that the
ordinance in question Is discriminating in
terms and In effect, and because of dis
elimination yiolatlve OF section i Of Arti-
Gle XIV. Of amendments to the Constitu-
tion Of the United States.
The attorney for the Standard OH Com
pany is William D. Carter.
Summary Of Proceedings.
Tho following gentlemen were allowed
to qualify to practice law in this courts;
Thomas J. Powell. Charlottesville, Va;
w, 81. Hitchler Charlottesville, Va, ana
NJ. g. Mason, Waveriy. Va.
Evans va. Atlantic Coast Line Railway
CQmplhy. Argued by J. 7. tawless and
j. Z. Jetries. for the plaintiff in error,
and NJ. O. Elliott and J, T, Brooke. for
the railway company. end submitted.
Selden sub. trustee. vs. Brooke. collec-
tor. Partly arst,ed by +, NJ. Hughes. Jr.,
for the appellant, ana continued.
Next cases to be- called:
Standard OIL Company VS.. City OF Fred
erlcksb,Eg; selden's executor VS.. Ken-
nedy, and Schwalm vs.. Beardsley, being
Noa. n, is and aS on argument DOCKET