The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-22
HIGHER LICENSE
FOR LIQUOR men
Program Of Legislation Contcm-
plates Further Increases
in Taxes.
REFERENDUM NOT EXPECTED
Believed sig Dry Territory for
Dealers Will Permit
Higher Charge.

Further increases in the amount of
license taxes paid 10 the state by
manufacturers OF ami dealers I'm In
toxfcatins liquors may be expected at
the hands OF the General Assembly
at It's coming session. The higher rate
VIII probably apply almost entirely to
mail order liquor houses and whole
sale dealers, it being considered that
the purely retail place, with the addl-
ton of local high license taxes, is
paying about all the business will
stand
II may be further said that higher
license will be about all the attention
the liauor question will receive from
the Legislature at this time. Many Of
the better posted political leaders be-
lieve that the referendum proposition
OF the Anti-Saloon League stands little
chance of enactment. There may, how
ever. pc further exception In the
matter of discrimination between
manufacturers of varying capacities:
in other words. between the big dis
tiller and the individual with the
small plant in the mountains.
Dealers Object.
No one expects that the higher IL
cense program will be carried through
without opposition. Liquor dealers are
already protesting that the license is
high enouEh-in fact. too Highland
that they are being taxed to busl-
ness death. But their outcry, to all APP
pearanccs. Will avail them little. for
1t seems to be on the card that they
must pay moro TO continue in busi-
ness.
The amount now paid for n State
license independent. of course. OF any
local taxi, Is $3.50: provided that
wholesale dealers in malt liquors only
pay $500.
The specific sum paid for the privi-
lege of selling ardent spirits by re-
tail Is $3.50 This was Increased by the
last Legislature from $3.50, and applies
only to those concerns which sell
across the BAR in small packages or
by the drink. No one operating under
such a license has right to make
single shipment OF his goods 1t Is
believed that $3.50 Is almost at the
limit. although there may be an in
crease to $500. In Richmond. includ-
ing the city tax OF $500, licenses thus
cost $1,000 for q solely retail busi-
ness.
The sum now paid as license for
selling under retail and shippers
license is $1,000, making $500 in Rich
mond In all. In other places it is still
higher. Bristol. which has probably
the highest license in the State.
charges $500 for the city alone, maxi
license on retail and shipping was in
creased from $3.50 by the last Legisia-
ture.
shipper Makes Money.
This license will probably be mate.
rally increased. perhaps to 1900. per-
haps not quite so much. The specific
amount Is to be determined later. In
nsmnch AZ in these days of widespread
dry territory a great part of the
proceeds of the business comes from
shipments this is the theory upon
which tho Legislature is likely 10 work
that the business has Increased to
such mn extent that It ought to pay
more taxes The Wholesaler, who sells
in amounts Of five gallons and more,
is also 10 be called upon to contribute
more to tho support OF the government.
There is some kick OIL Section Is OF
the Byrd law, which governs the quail
!ncnuons of manufacturers of ardent
spirits II requires that no license
may be granted 10 manufacturers or
rectincrs In rural districts or In towns
appears to tho court that a majority
OF the voters of the town or magis-
terial district are In favor of the april
cation for license. that there Is ade-
quatc police protection and that the
manufa cture or distillation of spirits
VIII not be contrary to sound public
policy But these provisions arc made
rot to apply to manufacturers who
mash an average OF twenty bushels or
more per day. nor to manufa cturers OF
alcoholic liquors by direct fermenta-
ton who may distill as much as 200
gallons OF pomace or cider per day.
Th!s, It is felt. is discriminate ton in
favor OF the big producer. and may
cause demand for an amendment