Evening journal., 1907-02-12
Tuesday, February II, 1907.
w1LL sMoKE THEM oUr.

WILL SMOKE THEM OUT.
THE conference OF the members of City
Council and representatives Of the public
service corporations that was held last evening
was a step in the right direction Much good
may come OF it. The representatives of the cor
poratons were in conciliatory mood and seem
ed willing to meet the councilmen 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 hinted 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 suggestion of increas-
ing taxes or the adjustment of taxes was regard
ed as udcrous. 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
overhauled. The question has come before them
in way that they cannot 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
have to pay. The sequence would be an increase
in rents. The councilmen 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 Assemblys session will not last
much longer Any attempt at delay plea that
there is not sufficient time for the framing and
enactment Of law such 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-
sponsibiity Of its enactment or rejection will rest
with the Legislature. Council will have cleared
its own skirts. 1t will have the Legislature in
the plory Of adverse public opinion should that
body refuse to heed the demands OF the council
men,
The measure, probably will have the support
of the entire councilmanic body. Those mem-
bers who for various reasons are friendly to the
corporations and would like to stand by them
will not care TO have themselves lined up as op-
ponents Of a bill designed to better our taxation
system
1t will be interesting to note what the Legs-
lature will do. To be sure nothing has been done
by the body at Dover so far in the way of legis-
lahon to commend ii to the confidence Of the
public The lawmakers still have chance to
show that they are their own masters and will
act in the interests of the people. They manifest
no such inclination at present-rather the reverse.
The councilmanic bill will also reveal whether
the Republican party as represented in the Leg
stature is really in favor Of home rule, as has
been contended by the moulders of thought in
the party for so many years. If so, without hes
itancy they will pass such a measure as is pro-
posed by City Council II they fail to do so they
will prove themselves recreant to their promises
Of the past
Indeed. the action Of the Legislature in its
closing days will mar or make the future of the
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 either
dispel or confirm these impressions For many
years the Democratic party was completely dom
mated by corporation influence. They still eS
ert hypnotic spell over them, as witness the