Evening journal., 1907-02-12
Tuesday, February IL, 1907.
WILL sMoKE THEM oUT.

WILL SMOKE THEM OUl.
THE conference OF the members of City
= Council and representatives of the public
service corporations that was held last evening
was step in the right direction. Much good
may come Of it, The representatives of the cor
porations were in a concilatory mood and seem
ed willing to meet the eounemen half way in
discussing the important question of taxation.
This of itself is a victory. For years no one
around this city has ever even limited that the
corporations should be prompt or equitable in
their payment Of taxes They did about as they
pleased and there was no one to say nay. No
public body ever even seriously considered the
question, and as for the Delaware Legislature,
why the corporations always had such a grip
on that body that even a suggestion of increas-
ing taxes or the adjustment Of taxes was regard
ed as lsdicrous. But City Council. which is in
closer touch with the people than are even
the members Of the Legislature, has awakened
TO the fact that our city revenue laws must be
overhsuled. The question has come before them
in a way that they cannoti avoid The city must
have sufficient income to meet its expenses. To
increase the tax rate would mean an advance in
the taxes that owners of small properties would
IN rents The counonen know very well that
the citizens in general are averse TO such an in
crease, particularly when many Of them believe
that there are other forms of wealth enjoying
franchises and privileges from the city without
paying an adequate return for them.
This question no longer can be obscured. 1t
is clear as the light Of day And having started
the ball rolling, Council should keep it moving.
The General Assembiy's session will not last
much longer. Any attempt at delay on plea that
there is not sufficient time for the framing and
enactment of law such as is suggested by City
Council, will not be tolerated. The people will
not be fooled by such pretext. They will want
an honest effort to secure the passage Of this
measure by the General Assembly
Council can have the bill framed and the re-
sponsibility OF its enactment or rejection win rest
with the Legislature. Council will have cleared
its own skirts. 1t viii have the Legislature in
the pillory OF adverse public opinion should that
hody refuse to heed the demands of the council
nlcn.
1he measure, probably, viii have the support
al the entire councilmanic body Those mem-
bers who for various reasons are friendly TO the
corporations and would like to stand by them
sin not care to have themselves lined up as OPP
ponents OF a bill designed to better our taxation
system
IT will be interesting to note what the Legis-
lature will do. To be sure nothing has been done
by the body at Dover so far in the way of legis-
lation to commend it to the confidence Of the
public The lawmakers still have a chance tc
show that they are their own masters and will
act in the interests of the people. They manifes
mo such nclinstion at present--rather the reverse
The councilmanic bill will also reveal whethc
the Republican party as represented in the Leg
islature is really in favor Of home rule, as ma
been contended by the moulders Of thought il
the party for so many years If SO. without hes
itsncy they will pass such measure as is pro
posed by City Council II they fail to do so the.
win prove themselves rccreant to their promise
Of the past.
Indeed, the action Of the Legislature in it
closing days viii mar or make the future Of In
party There are too many well grounded sus
picions that some Of the members are under tn
absolute domination and control OF corporation
and their lobbyists. The members can eithe
dispe or confirm these impressions. For man
years the Democratic party was completely dom
mated by corporation influence. They still ex
ert hpynotic spell over them, as witness til