Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-02-19

companies to pay these taxes. as the
city could keep up better fire appara-
tus.
Mr.. Greenbaum asked for further
time to report. The committee want
ed to know what the insurance peo-
pie really proposed.
Mr.. Downing favored a tax on the
gross premiums. He cited an agent
who did business for twelve COM
panies. Would he pay 5000 tax or
reduce his companies to two and pay
800?
Gesner Roasts the Sharks.
Mr.. Gesner opposed referring the
ordinance back to the committee
He made some extended remarks 1t
was impossible to reach these money
sharks who bought bonds. Mr.
Downing, he said, was in error. His
position was wrong. make these
corporations pay their Just share of
the taxes. IL is a mistake to let them
on for less than $50 company. We
are always favoring the corporations
and not let 'em escape. The people
will referend these things II we don't
take IT," He called for the ayes and
nays. The ordinance was not re-
ferred, ayes s, noes 6.
Mr.. Stolz said II he had voted with
corporations all his lifetime as Mr..
Gesner had, he would try as hard as
he could to reform this late in life.
Any attempt to enforce an unjust
tax would react on the policy hold
ers. This tax would only be piled up
on the premiums we pay.
| Mr.. Stockton said II It was pro-
lposed to cinch the corporations take
them all in. The corporations were
doing business here and why not ask
them all to pay. These corporations
made money faster than any mer-
chant and why should they not pay2
II they did not want TO pay these
taxes let them walk out. The city
needed the money. We needed bet
ter fire apparatus. We needed bet
streets. We need parks and we want
to make this the incest town In the
state and we need this revenue. The
business men were organizing mu-
tual insurance companies all over
the west.
Mr.. Low said at Portland he had
called on "the leading insurance
man OF the world" He told him
they were putting In a fire alarm
system and chemical engine. and the
insurance man had promised him
lower rates.
Mr.. Bayne said after the insurance
companies once got the money they
never paid back anything. CLaugh-
teri
On substituting $50 for SIS as the
license tax ayes had 8, noes s. The
noes were Greenbaum, Goode,
Churehill, stols, Downing. All others
voted for $50. Surety companies
were then added.
Two Dead Horses.
Mr.. Churchill reported bills OF
Capital Improvement company for
burying two dead horses. There was
dispute as to ownership of one.
Mr.. Bayne made the point OF or
der that the person in possession OF
the horse when It died ought to pay
the burial expenses.
Mr.. Gesner said there was a prln-
eiple involved In this and that only
the horse that died on Twelfth street
be paid for.
He moved to amend the report to
only pay for burying one horse and
finally 1t was so ordered.
Licenses Issued.
Liquor licenses was issued 10 F. II.
Collins The committee on fre and
water reported favorably on petition
OF Bullitt Bros for permit TO erect
corrugated iron building.
Mr.. Haas reported on screens for
Nie' jan hlf. Gesner said that the
committee Of which Mr.. Haas was
Chairman had no business with it.
and he moved the matter be referred
to the committee on public build
ings.
About Lights.
City Attorney Condit said II the
General Electric company did not in
stail lights in a reasonable time its
contract could be cancelled.
Mr.. stolz moved that the Citizens
Electric company be given 80 days TO
install all lights ordered so far.
Haas moved to amend that an ordi-
finance be drawn regulating installa-