The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
OPINION DIVIDED ON EQUITY OF NEW LICENSE SCHEDULE Burnett Says They Submit It As Best They Are Able
 to Compile GRAY THINKS COUNCIL
 MET SITUATION WELL h.any, However, Are Still Inclined To Think the Schedule smacks of Spite Work and
 Favoritism.

U. Burnett, cnalrnan or the miScellane- ous committee before the people as the most equitable we were able to com pile. We tried as a cold busness propo- sition to be fair to every one. We gave long study to the subject, and before it was adopted every member of that joint committee had positively agreed to it, after weighing each item carefully. ''The people of Birmingham realize that we must have the money to run the l city. Of course, it looks hard at this time to pay an increase, but better that than a'bankrupt' city with nothing to rec ommend it. 'I have heard many favorable com ments on the schedule. Of course, some do not understand why we did not in crease one license as much as another, but when it is explained that there were inequalities in last years schedule, and that while some items have been taxed to the limit in previous years, others have escaped with a small, in fact, a very small license, the kickers are often sat- isfied. All will have to pull together to carry the city through the next year."
 Have Met Situation We'll.
 "The Council, in my opinion,'' said Henry B. Gray last night, "has met the situation as it should. Of course they wanted to get the job done with as little friction as possible, but they had a big proposition, and went at 1t the best they could.
 There certainly cannot be any com plaint at the fact that the street rail- A. pany were not increased, for 1t is known that, together with the tax on intangible franchises, those companies will be pay ing an enormous revenue to the city,"
 colliAs Is Satisfied.
 q am satisfied with the license adopt ed," said J. D. Collins. 'I think it is much better than the one first complied for beyond a doubt that was too heavy They have evidently made an effort and succeeded very well in equalizing the burden. We have got to raise funds to pay the citys running expenses, and the | merchants are willing to pay their share" Approves 1t Under Circumstances. We want to help the city in its fin- ancial troubles" said Sol Caheen. We recognize that 1t is expedient to raise the licenses at this time, and are satis- fled with the schedule as adopted by the Council.
 However, since so much money is ex- pected during the following year from new sources, I hope to see the time come when the obnoxious privilege tax will be taken off the merchants of Bir- l mingham, who are already paying 1 per cent property tax. I am against any license at all, and I think as soon as possible they should be removed" Started On Wrong Track. H. G. Abbott said: While I understand that something has to be done, l still think the Council has gone about 1t the wrong way. I think retrenchment would have been proper. There are numerous officers who could have been cut off, and at least $10O,0O0 might have been saved by an economic change in the manner of running the city. The merchants are already burdened with too high rents, and expenses of all kinds. If the property owners do not como down soon they are going to run a lot of good men out of business. The good of Birmingham should call for moderation along these lines"
 Pawnbroker Registered Kick.
 J. Rich, proprietor of the Colorado Loan company said: 'The new schedule simply means that some of the smaller pawnbrokers in town will have to go out of business. My city, county and state licenses for next year will amount to nearly siOOO, and while 1t will work hardship on me it will be death to the smaller dealers. I want to do my part in bearing the city's burden, but they have undoubtedly piled 1t on us too heavy. There are too meny items in the schedule that show spite work or favoritsm. I have just spent thousands of dollars in fitting up the finest store of it's kind in town and I am frank to say I would never have gone to such heavy expense if I had known I was to have such burdensome taxes imposed upon me for next year. I believe in the square deal and 1 think whole lot of us are not getting it under this license schedule"
 Signs of Discrimination. {
 L. F. Klybecker, manager of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea company, said: "All patriotic citizens are willing to come forward and do their part toward meeting the heavy expenses of the city next year, but think the burden should be dis tributed equitably The new schedule adopted by the council shows increases varying all the way from 10 to 1000 per centp This is not right. Tie council also seems to have a grudge against outside corporations doing business in Birrning- ham, for analysis of the schedule will in- variably show discriminations against for eign corporations with stores in this city. I had always thought city welcomed outsiders-that if an outside corporation wanted to open up a store and create a payroll in the city of say sI2Q0 a month it would meet encouragement.
 we want to be. treated just as others and will always be found willing to do our part"
 Make the Landlord HeIn