The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-11-17
LICENSE FEE
TOO LARGE
Claim Of Moving Picture
Houses in Barre
PROTEST TO ALDERMEN
They Say That the Charge Is Exorbitant
When Compared with Fees in Other
Cities Of Vermont Other Do
ings Of the Board

Inc pfOprlelOHs OF tne Aouf moving
picture houses in the city made an appeal
last evening to the city council, through
their attorney, S. Hollister jackson,
against the S2 day license fee, which
each house Is paying the city, claiming
that the fee is exorbitant and over ten
times as much as Is charged in any other
city in the state. Air, jackson stated at
the outset that he hesitated considerably
before he decided to bring the matter
before he council, for he was afraid that
he might get injured before he got out
as what he had TO say concerned the
finances Of the city. 1t was apparent
later that his trepidation had some
grounds, for as soon as he had presented
his case in behalf Of the moving picture
proprietors, volley Of questions was
fred at him by the council that kept
him busy for an hour answering them.
Mr. jackson presented the figures
charged in other places in the state,
showing that they ran from nothing
up to S52 year. AT Montpelier they
are charged $52, al ST. Adams, Burling-
ton and Rutland the fee is $50 year
while at Bellows Falls and White River
Junction no fee Is charged. Comparing
these amounts with the 50 day OF S626
year, which the shows age required
to pay in this city, the proprietors
thought that they were being overtaxed,
He said that he knew under the city
ordinance governing license fees the
council could do nothing else but collect
this fee but he thought that If there
was any justice IN bis appeal the coun-
ell could change the ordinance and place
a license on each place at a lower rate
and have incorporated in the license just
what kind Of 4 show should be put on
and that the places shall Be properly
ventilated and protected from fire.
The mayor asked him ii he did not
think that IL was because there were
so many companies in the city now that
they wanted the fee lowered Alderman
Campbell asked him il he knew that
when the city ordinances were being re-
vised that one OF the moving picture
men, who 4 still doing business IN the
city, had made a request to one Of the
aldermen that this license fee be not
lowered, as It would tend to keep other
shows out of town, and that Il was
partly on this request that the fee was
not lowered.
Alderman Alexander asked him why
all Of the moving picture men had moved
up here from Montpelier. where the fee
was only $50. when they knew it was
20 high here, unless it was because they
knew that they could do better business,
in spite Of the high fee.
Alderman Hoyt asked him II lie did
not think that they were all doing d
pretty good business He said ne not
flush one night and took in three of
them, ard could not get seat in any
one Of them until someone got up and
went out.
Alderman Thnrston capped the climax
by inquiring If Mr. jackson had heard
what one woman in the city said about
these shows as money -catchers This
woman claimed that they were worse
than a saloon for only the father went
there; but TO these shows the whole
family goes.
Mr. Jackson replied that he was not
there TO argue whether It was good TO
have the shows in town, or whether II
was better to have competition in the
shows, but 1t was only the question
whether the council did not think that
the fee charged WAS too high and would
see fit to let it down That the shows
were doing an exorbtant business here,
be said, was far from the truth, as he
had investigated that very point and
was very much surprised at what he
found; and he said that the proprietors
were willing to show their books to the
council
ON motion Of Alderman Campbell. II
was voted to discuss the question further
in executive session.
Spent sss2is for Poor in October
The committee on lights recommended
that Tungsten light be installed at the
corner Of BateheIder and Boston streets
The police department reported total
Of ri arrests in October, 10 being for
intoxication and two for breach Of the
peace, and the remainder for minor Of
fenses.
The following report for October was
made by the oyerseer Of the poor: Bal
ance on hand October i Slll,94; received
from the city, $780, paid out, S3s2l5;
balance on hand, $3.50.
A petition was presented for street
light to be installed on Boynton street
and was referred to the lighting commit
tee to investigate.
A permit was granted A. s. Martin
to move a barn on fremont street "a
feet on his own land John Cleary ap-
lplied for pool room license at 37i North
Main street and was referred to the
license committee.
Tho committee on health reported thar
they had investigated the report circn.
lated last week that there was a family
on Maple avenue, IN which there was
scarlet fever and children from which
were going to school. and they found no
case Of scarlet fever on the street
A communication was received from
the cemetery commissioners. requesting
that the city turn over to them all Of the
land owned by the city between the
East Montpelier road and Gunner's
brook. except the city dump and sand
bank. and that the city name some time
when they shall vacate the city farm
buildings The matter was referred to
the cemetery committee to prepare i
resolution to that effect.
Building Permits Cranted.
Building permits were granted 30 Pat
terson Field to erect dwelling house