Evening journal., 1911-01-16
Would Increase Saloon
License Fee TO 5000 and
Increase Delaware Road
Tax
OPPOSE DIRECT TAX
ON PROPERTY FOR
STATE PURPOSE

covering the WOlh oi tue G'ai. Ah'
commission suggests many additional
methods of raising funds for the ben
eft Of the State. One important sug-
gestion is that a direct real property
tax system succeed the present sys-
of individual taxation in the counties.
The present system of taxation in the
county is declared TO be anuquated.
The Commission opposes a direct real
estate tax for state purposes; recon-
mends that the liquor licence fee ia
cities be increased to 5000; suggests a
new method of appointing assessors;
and recommends an increase In taxes
on the Delaware Railroad property.
The report follows:
Chapter 60, Volume 20, Laws or
Delaware.
OF the Revenue and Taxation Com
mission.
CREATION OF A REVENUE AND
TAXATION COMMISSION AND FOR
AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY THE
EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION
THEREOF.
Be II enacted by the Senate and
House OF Representatives of the
state of Delaware in General Assem-
bly, met:
Section 1. That a Commission be
and the same is hereby created con-
sisting of nine persons TO consider
State and County revenue and taxa
ton and to make report thereof as
hereinafter provided. Said Commits
sion shall consist Of Philip L. Can
non. r. Allen Hilles, Henry Ridgely,
David c.. Rose. Alvin b. Conner
George w Sparks, Oiiver A. Newton
and Thomas o. Cooper, and one addi-
fional member TO be appointed by the
Speaker of the House OF Representa-
tives The said Commission shall be
styled estate Revenue and Taxation
Commission
Section q That any vacancy oc-
curing in said Commission by death.
resignation or otherwise, shall be
filled by appointment by the Governor
Section 3 That said Commission
shall within two months after the pas
sage OF this Act. meet at the State
House In Dover for the purpose of or
ganization. at which meeting shall be
elected "a President and a Secretary
out of the number of said Commits
sioners. and such other officers as said
Commissioners shall deem necessary.
IT shall be the duty of said Commits
sion to make full and thorough in
yestigation of the subject Of State and
County Revenue and Taxation. For
~, purpose said Commission shall
naVe authority 10 engage counsel
learned IN law and such other as
sistance as it shall deem advisable
Said Commission shall have authority
TO make such rules regulating its sit
tings and the carrying on of its inyes-
LEGATIONS and the performance of itf
duties as it shall deem advisable
Said Commission shall have authority
at fits discretion TO summons wit
nesses and tho President or other
presiding officer of said Commission
for the time being shall have author
ity TO administer Oaths. The State
Revenue Collector shall serve all sum-
mons placed In his hands by this Com
mission. Any person so summoned
and failing to appear shall be deem
cd guilty OF a misdemeanor and upon
conviction thereof snail be punished
by fine or Imprisonment OF both al
the discretion of the Court Any false
statement made by a witness under
oath before said Commission, shall bs
deemed perjury and punishable as
such under the laws of this State.
Section 4. That said Commission
shall at the next regular session o
the General Assembly make such re
port or reports and submit such pro
posed Act or Acts relating to Stat
and County revenue and taxation {,
such General Assembly. as said Com
mission or majority of them shal
deem proper and which shall embodl
the results Of the labors and investi
cations of said Commission. SAT-
Commissioners shall be paid their ac
tual expenses while serving upon SAT-
Commission and a compensation O
Five Dollars per diem TOR each da
on which said Commission shall 81
for the performance Of its duties
Section 5. For the payment of tn
compensation OF said Commissioner.
their counsel and assistants and al
other expenses of said Commission
the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollar
Is hereby annually appropriated an
the State Treasurer Is hereby author
lied TO pay from time TO time out q
said appropriation, orders on accouu
OF such expenditure. signed by IN
President and Secretary Of said Com
mission and approved by the Cover
nor.
To the General Assembly Of the stat
Of Delaware:
Pursuant to the provisions of IN
foregoing Act, the undersigned men
bers Of the State Revenue and Taxf
tion Commission, thereby created, pr,
sent this report.
The commission organized on th
eleventh day Of February, 1909. b
tho election of Philip L. Cannon
President; George v sparks. Secr'
tary. and Henry RiGgeIy, Attorne
Mr. Ridgely declined 10 accept an
compensation for his services as "a
torney out OF the appropriations
the Commission.
On June II. 1909. Mr.. Philip
Garrett was appointed assistant coui
sci to the Commission, and at lat
date Mr. Ridgeley having rendered b
resignation. Mr.. Garrett was mat
general counsel
On April 2. 1909. Mr. Hervey
Hall of Kent county having been a
pointed by the Speaker of the Hou
OF Representatives a member of Il
Commission, in compliance with d
Act providing for the filling the v
cancy in said Commission, was du
qualified aud entered upon his dutle
On October 6 the Commission WI
informed by the Governor that N
nidgely had rendered MS resignatio
and on November IL. the Secreta