Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-06-23
Publisher Of Foot and Shoe Re-
Corder Hits al Merchants
License.
SAYS IT IS DOUBLE TAXES.
And That T. simply "Robblng Peter TO
Pay Paul"-IoCal Man Who
Takcs the Same View.

Af. Moran lullrt'Usth, local thpt
dealer has commenced 60 wage a war
on what he is pleased TO term the
unrighteousuess Of the merchants IL
cense which he denounces as a double
tax In all its essential elements. lie is
Of the opinion that It IL Illegal and
can be beaten in tho courts Tie
wrote 20 the Boot and Shoe Recorder,
the biggest trade journal IN the coun-
try. published in Boston, and Mr. Pua-
nam. the editor Of that paper handles
the subject as follows
Free trade 81 protection. This Is
not politics but refers to shoe bust
ness. The state question ~ tariffs Is
not the subject for consideration, but
totally different matter is preached
by a valued subscriber IN salt Lake
City. who asks me Il there are any
cities in Massachusetts, where a mer-
chant Is compelled 20 buy a license IN
order 90 carry on a wholesale or re-
tail business. or 10 buy and sell mer-
chandise. This correspondent encloses
I'm HIS letter form which he Is Obliged
to make out yearly. In this he applies
for q license 20 transact business as
certain specified number Of months,
commencing on a certain day OF the
month. lie has 10 slomenly swear as
10 hte cash value Of all goods, wares
and merchandise I'm his possession or
under his control. whether owned by
him. or consigned 10 him for sale, and
10 declare that It does not exceed a
certain number Of dollars.
la. ~ a.
tary public, and the money must ac-
company the application before the
license can be issued. IL this meets
with the APPROVAL Of the powers-that-
be IN salt Lake City, he gets a license,
which certi1es that he has paid 10 the
city treasurer. certain number OF
dollars, and has compiled with the or
dlnance I'm force, and Is thereby IL
censed 10 transact business as mer-
chant for the term specified The li-
ceuse. which he sends US for eXamina-
ton is for a term Of three months.
commencing and ending on certain
dates This Is signed by the mayor,
and attested by the recorder. This
license Is not transferable. This
merchant is compelled 10 pay ss
year as a license tax. Besides this
he has 10 pay regular taxes. This, he
believes. Is peculiar 10 his own city. |
know Of no cities In Massachusetts,
where a dealer In merchandise, hav-
ing a fixed place Of business, Is oblig-
ed 20 have a license, except In the
case Of a liquor dealer. or a dealer
I'm certain specified goods about which
there are special laws-such goods
as are dangerous or inhammable. or
where. for some obvious reason, il Is
desirable 10 have these places laid
under special obligations and super
vision for the safety Of the neighbors
OF course there are licenses required
Of peddlers. or itinerary merchants
those who have no fixed places Of bust
ness, and who, therefore, cannot be
ga silly reached, to pay their share OF
the taxation. which every city must
necessarily collect, In order TO pay for
police and fire protection, and for the
public improvements which are for the
benefit OF the entire community. The
stationer who pays his taxes on the
stock Of goods IN his store, does his
share 20 pay the public expenses, but
the man who peddles lead pencils any
where and everywhere on the street,
might stand IN front Of the stationer's
store and take trade away from him.
and could sell cheaper because he has
no rent to pay. II Is, therefore, mani.
testify Just that II the pedlar is 10 ply
his business he should pay taxes: and
this takes the form Of a license. This
may be a small matter, but, Of course
is matter Of principle. There is no
reason why a city should compel every
merchant 10 pay license tax IN adii-
ton TO his regular income or merchan- I
disc taxes. Il Is certainly an additional /
burden. which. under ordinary circum- !
stances. the merchant should not be /
obliged 10 bear
Doubtless there are, I'm various parts |
OF the country. cities and towns which |
take every means they can Of collect |
ing money from the merchants by spe-
cial taxation. as well as general taxa /
ton. though why some OF them do I
SO Is beyond the ken Of the average /
citizen. Most municipalities have hea- |
Wy expenses and need the additional /
income which they gather from these /
licenses. though II Is simply a case l
III robbing Peter 20 pay Paul to re- 1
iuce the general rate Of taxation. and |
then mulct the merchants an extra tax. /
IN the shape II license fees. II these I
license fees were abolished. possibly the /
general tax rate might be raised. and .
Fan equally upon all the citizens, which .
would certainly be more Just and right I
Than plling an extra tax on the mer-
chants. for II II the merchants OF the
,lv who give il its real estate value
Il Is the merchants ~ the city who pays
ts taxes: and n is the merchants Of a
.uy who should be favored in every
way possible by the municipalities II
+ doubtless legal TO require a license
rom every merchant 10 do business
bot 40 regards the Justice Of Il there
: mon. lhan ono side 10 the nnesilnn-