Evening journal., 1908-03-05
Special to THE EvnN1NG JOURNAL.

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER, March 5.-The public hear
ing in the Senate chamber yesterday
wherein the grangers and fruitgrowers
of the State were given opportunity
to suggest subjects and extent of tax
alton to the Revenue and Taxation
Commission appointed by the Legisla-
ture to recommend a revised tax sys-
tom and increased State income to the
next Legislature, was only a begin
ming Of such hearings. The cominis-
sion has decided to extend a similar
opportunity to all the interests WHICH
Il may have occasion to include in its
report
The liquor interests (of course Of
Wilmington and New Castle county
there being prohibition in Kent end
Sussex will come next About 800
repre- esentatives of the liquor business
in all its branches, saloons, rectihers,
distillers. brewers and druggists, viii
be heard bY the commission on Tues
day, March II. This hearing viii take
place in Wilmington, for the conven-
ience Of the liquor men, and win prob
ably be in City Council chamber, which
is large enough to accommoda all the
couferees and which has been sug-
gested to the commission.
There is a movement on foot to tax
the saloonists $500 instead of $500 a
year The brewers, 1t has been shown
to the commission, are not taxed at
all as brewers. but they pay a tax or
license as manufacturers. The COM
mission VIII give the liquor men a
fun hearing, with opportunity to pre-
sent their claims and causes without
interruption
Surprise at Unanimity.
There was general surprise among
the members of the commission that
the hearing accorded the agriculturists
was so unanimous and concordant. Tie
farmers manifested that lhey had no
objection to the methods adopted by
the commission nor the manner in
which it is proceeding to arrive at
an equitable revenue system that will
provide a large income.
Several of the commission did not
know that the farmers held a confer
ence prior to the hearing and decided
not to attempt to outline a plan Of
taxation at this time, but to talk merely
, the proposition of taxation as appli-l
20 themselves, and wait until the COM
mission presented its report to :he
Legislature as to how they should criti-
cize the plan it will then propose.
State Master Hervey Walker was
questioned at the close of the confer
ence yesterday afternoon as to why the
farmers had advanced no suggestions
concerning the proposed revolution of
the State revenue system.
I'VE felt that this was all we can
do at this time" he said. 1T would
certainly be dangerous for us 10 go
outline a tax schedule concerning
others payments until we hear what
this commission, which is making in
vestigations into this matter at some
length finds out and recommends Sup
pose il might recommend something a
little better than we would desire OF
ask for ourselves?"
"But did not the oranges legisla-
tive committee, represented by A. n
Brown as spokesman, appear before
the Leg, stature of 1901 with bill in
creasing the Delaware Railroad Com
pan, tax from the sum of $4,000
then paid, to S4o,O00?" he was asked
And has the State Grange changed
its position. now that the company is
paying S20000?" the questioner added.
Il do not remember that action.
know that the Delaware Railroad never
has paid $4,000. although it is now
laeying $4,000
In the hearing, that there was dam
ger of too much tax seemed to be q
general cause OF alarm.
Mr.. Ridgely's Statement.
GAS you are aware, the State de-
rives its income from the taxation ol
a limited number Of subjects, and has
not a wide scope in the collection Of
its revenues said Mr.. Ridgeiy. ."
may say to youth while we have in.
vestigated. both in this State and other
wise. the taxation Of railroads and eN.
press companies. telegraph and tele
phone companies. ihheritances, brew.
cries and franchises, yet we are o.
open mind We want all the enlighten'
mcnt and advice We can get from ou
fellow citizens"
Secretary George w. Sparks OF tn
lcoinmission then proceeded to call tn
names OF fCrty-two grange organiza
tions whom he had invited to send rep
aentations. but Secretary Wesley We5l
Of the state Grange arose and asiSe'
that the State Master of the Changers
Hervey Walker Of Hockessin, be heard
Tho farmers cf this state desire 4
!; impress VI on this commission tnat the,
earnestly desire that no change be iaad
or no heavier taxation be heaped upoi
the agricultural classes. The metnol
of scnding out assessors, and of making
assessments and cf taxing farm 7ro
,.erty has been had enough and IN
faimer has hud 20 stand up to ali h
could endure in the line of taxation