Evening journal., 1907-02-08
CITY AFTER
BIG CORPORATIONS
Must Pay More Taxes For
the Privileges They En-
Joy Here
CONFERENCE ON MONDAY

city Council Is now doing something
that viii meet with the approval Of
the general public. Il proposes. II pos
sible, to tax the public service corpor-
ations and relieve the property own
er and as this mortal Is now assessed
for all he is worth, the new movement
win no doubt be hailed with delight.
Chairman White Of the finance COM
mittee presented the following:
Whereas the city Of Wilmington has
now reached a position IN its devel-
lopment which imperatively demands
the raising OF more revenue for the
proper and consistent maintenance OF
its several departments, as is truly
shown by the constantly Increasing de-
noit; and their very apparent necessity
Of increasing tho bonded Indebtedness
of our city for ihe purpose OF COM
pleiing the water system and the i'm
provement Of the streets; and
Whereas the present Duydensome
rate OF tax levy on real estate is in
lsufiicient to meet the present require
lments which must OF necessity grow
larger with time and
whereas, the public service corpora
tions OF this city have long enjoyed
special privileges IN the way OF sran-
chises Of immense and Increasing vol-
ume which they receive absolutaiy free
without any payment whatsoever 20
tae city, which franchises are legally
construed 10 be property, and in other
states are taxed at their full value
now, therefore be It
Resolved that the mayor and council
lof Wilmington hereby respectfully pc
tition the general assembly OF Dela-
ware now in session TO promptly enact
a law i'm legal and prac icai form
which viii authorize the taxing OF the
franchises OF all public serwse corpur.
lations in this city. as property at theil
fun cash value, the same as IS now
dane with real estate, for the benefit o
the mayor and council OF Wilmington.
ana further be IL
Resolved that the finance ana Law
committees Of this body together Will
the city solicitor be and they are here
by instructed to take all necessarl
steps to determine the form Of thl
contemplated statue, and bring the mat
ter to the attention OF the general as
sembly and to urge its passage a
once.
Following the reading OF Mr. white
resolution, another was offered by MI
Ross which read:
Whereas, our present revenues ar
insufficient to meet the necessary ex
penses and provide FOR the actual need
OF our growing city; and
Whereas, our public service corpora
tions enjoy valuable public franchise
without paying taxes commensurat
. with the revenue derived therefrom
and
Whereas, The present tax on real
estate falls heavily on the. wage-earns
who owns OF rents a small home, an
. further increase in the assessment {
taxation OF real-estate would be over
/, burdensome 10 the mechanic and work
= ingman Of this city. who make up IN
!, great bulk Of our population; therefor
/. lbe #
Resolved. That the Law and Financ
Committees OF Council with the Mayo
and City Solicitor be and are hcreb
given full power TO act in behalf q
the city. and are requested 10 confe
with the ofiicials or representatives q
our public service corporations for tn
, purpose of reaching some just an
equitable basis Of taxation Of their pro
; critics and franchises, and with a fur
ther view Of having the city derive
reasonable percentage OF their gross re
!, lceipts; and be It further
Resolved. That the Clerk OF Counc
= send a copy Of these resolution TO ever
/ public service corporation doing busi
9 ness within the city Of Wilmington an
: ask their immediate attention and co
= Operation in compliance with these re
quests.
Council Chamber, February 9TH le0
Both resolutions were adopted an
2 among the corporations cited by NJ
i Ross for taxation are the Wester
: Union and Postal Telegraph Compan
les the b. & O.. P. B. & W. and p. & ]
u railroad companies; the Wilmingto
City and Peoples Railway Companies
the Wilmington City Electric Compan
and the Wilmington Light. Power an
, Telephone Company.