Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-20

NOT think they would do this because
1.-The insurance companies already are
making more money out OF Newport
News per capita than out OF any
other city in the State ana more
money out for Virginia than any othe'
state In the South.
Dsicriminates Against This Cry.
When Mr.. Cottrell concluded
Alderman West undertook 10 answer
! the various arguments advanced
against the proposed ordinance. lie
opsned by saying that he regarded
| the method of levying this tax as tne
| only lust and equitable method ana
| then went on 80 say that he ala not
believe the insurance companies
would raise the rates as Mr.. Miller
| suggested they might possibly DO. lie
| declared that the insurance rate Ior
| this city is excessive and that The
| Southeastern Tariff Association Is
discriminating against Newport News,
putting Il in a class below the town
OF Suffolk and on a par with such
country villages as Wayeriey, va.
| This appeal OF righteousness re
garding this tax is all tommy rot, :
continued Mr.. West.
Turning to the publicity matter, Mr.
West said that the per centase basis
of taxation had first been suggested
to Councilman +. ]. Ford by Richard
w REYNOLDS. a local insurance agent
and that at that time Mr.. Reynolds
and the other agents had not dis
covered" the unIairness of filing the
sworn statements OF the business
done. IL would hate for anybody to
l.. L.. h. teg haIl hQga
rascals In theins urance business here
az some of the agents would have us
think by their statements that one
agent could examine the sworn state
ments and take business away from
another agent" continued the speak
er.
Companies Reap Harvest.
Mr.. West pointed out that last year
the insurance companies took about
sI25, 900 in premiums on. OF Newport
News and paid in actual fire loss only
4.50s. They paid total OF $4,000
city license tax. giving them a profit
OF approximately 100000. THE
companies are breaking tn ir necks
TO get into Newport News. because its
q rich field and all this raising the
ed shirt and talking OF raising the
rates is the yeriest rot. | think II is
nothing but the fear of some of the
agents that other agents will get
their business away from them. Are
we to constitute ourselves as the
guardians OF everybody in business
here? That argument Is not sound
one TO my mind and should not carry
much weight with this body"
In concluding, ar. West said that
the city had TO raise more revenue
next year or else lace a grave situa-
ton SO far as the finances are con
cerned. He said that there had been
great opposition TO the proposed re-
trenchment. but that more retrench-
ing than that proposed would have
TO be done unless the city's revenues
are increased.
Alderman helms closed the dis
cussion of the tax by saying that he
was opposed TO il because he believed
that the insurance companies would
raise the rates and take thousands
OF dollars out of the pockets of the
people each year.
Arguments Changed President.
Before the vote was taken. Presi-
dent Robinson said that when he
came TO the council chamber he fav-
orei the fiat rate of taxation. but
that the arguments he had heard had
convinced him that the percentage
method OF taxation was tie fairer
enc and that he proposed TO vote to
concur in the ordinance.
The amendemnt 10 the insurance
TAX was the only amendment to the
licese tax ordinance adopted by the
lower branch which met with any
opposition n the board of aldermen.
the other amendments being unani-
mously concGr.cd in without discus
sion. The amendments provide for
Increases in the license taxes as fol-
lows:
Amendments concurred In.
Agencies of steamboat and trans
pcrtation companies, from $50 to $l00.
Bill posters, from $25 to $50.
Builders and contractors, graduated
tax from - TO $3.50. the amount OF
the tax 10 be determined by the
amount of tae contracts re-
ceived each year.
Electric light pants, from $500 to
Si00.
Gas plants, from $500 to $500.
$500.
Steam laundries. from S25 to $50.
Wholesale liquor dalers from $3.50
TO $3.50.
Wholesale meat dealers from $500
TO $500.
Ship brokers. from $25 to $50.
Telegraph companies. from 800 TO
Si25.
Vaudeville shows charging not
more than ten cents admission. $50;
vaudeville shows charging more
than ten cents, Sl00.
Water companies. from $500 to
81 .000
An ordinance executing a contract
between ,he city and tn Chesa-
pcake & Ohio Railway Company
| FOR The running of a felennnne line