Evening journal., 1913-12-19
X rs
AFTE 81 OW
TAX PAYS
Empowers Finance Committee
to Inquire Of PeIlnquentS
Why They Don't Pay
MUCH MONEY DUE
FOR YEARS l9O3-O7

Delinquent taxpayers who ignore OF
-efuse to comply with the orders of the
nance committee OF City Council to nav
heir taxes in the future will lil<elv be
allied before that committee to explain
Why they do not pay taxes. When the
committee requests the delinquents ia
appear they will have to do so, as Coun-
al last night adopted a resolution. pre-.
iented by Colonel Stoyer, chairman OF
he finance committee, to empower
.ouncil TO issue subpoenas for the de.
inquents compelling their appearance
before the committee.
The purpose of the action. as explain.
ID by Colonel Stover, is to facilitate the
collection of back taxes in the northern
district for the years 1908 to 1907 in.
'lusive. The resolution follows:
Whereas, Section of the city
charter provides that "For the pur-
pose of enforcing the faithful exc
cution Of said laws and ordinances,
and OF obtaining any information
concerning matters affecting the mu.
nicipality, the mayor shall have
power and authority, in any inquiry
or investigation which he may insti-
tutc, TO compel the attendance of
witnesses and the production of
necessary books and papers, at any
time and place within the city he
may designate. He may issue sub
poenas and attachments. signed by
himself, TO compel the attendance of
such witnesses and the production OF
any and all such books and papers,
which such subpoenas and attach
ments shall be served and executed
by any police officer of the city, and
if any person so summoned as a
witness shall refuse to testify to
any facts within his knowledge, or
to produce the books in his Gus
tody or possession, or under his
control, required in such inquiry or
Investigation, the mayor shall have
power TO commit such witnesses for
contempt" and
Whereas Section 81 OF the City
Charter provides that, THE Coun-
Gil shall have the same powers in
all respects as are conferred upon
the Mayor by Section z aforesaid.
which power may be exercised by
AAlt 2OnnAl III NlN vi AiN
Mayor and Council of Wilmington,
and process shall be signed and
attested by the president and
clerk Of Council respectively. and
Whereas, the Finance Commit
tee of the Council has for some
time been endeayoring to secure
settlement OF the city and school
taxes outstanding in the Northern
District OF the City of Wilmington
for the years 1903 to 1907. inclu-
sive, and the said Finance Com
mlttee has experienced consider
able difficulty in obtaining the re-
suits desired because OF the neg
lect or refusal OF the persons ow-
ing the taxes to the city for the
years aforesaid to make settle-
ment. now therefore, BE Il resolv-
ed by the Council Of Wilmington.
That subpoenas may be issued
In the name OF the Mayor and
Council OF Wilmington for such
person or persons owing taxes as
aforesaid. as in the judgment of
the Finance Committee of the
Council may be necessary, and
Nnt lAONton cudAi hN oiSntu anu
attestef By the president and
clerk OF the Council. and the said
the president and clerk of the
Council shall issue such sub
poenas as may be required by the
Finance Committee OF the Coun-
Gil
Col. Stover explained that for more
han two years Council has been try
ne to collect the taxes In the north
I'm district for the years 1908 to 1907.
,ut that the delinQuents constantly
gnored them. and the Finance Com
nittee has encountered all kinds OF
in collecting the taxes.
rhe members OF the committee, he
said. have not the time to go around
and see the delinquents. He said
that some Of them had willingly an
swered the request or the Financ5
to confer with them. but
a few had refused. while others hao
Ignored the committee.
"I s-e no other way than to use a
little gentle persuasion i'm the form OF
a subpoena" Colonel Stover conclud-
ed.
Councilman Haney opposed the i'm
mediate adoption OF the resolution
and requested that the vote upon IL
be postponed for week TO give him
time TO read il through and assimi-
late its contents. He declared Il was
too long 10 get into his head all at
once on such shor, n.ice. and limited
that IL might contain a ''joker"
Mr.. Haney was assured that moth
ing Of the kind existed but that the
resolution was intended to compel
tax delinquents to put in appear
ance. but nevertheless when the vote
was taken Mr. Haney voted against
the resolution. his being the only
negative vote.
In speaking OF the delinquent taxes
Colonel Stover said there is one prop
erty owner In the city who has paid
no taxes on one property since 1908
and now owes the city S1,C~i.6e. The
owner Of this property ignores the
finance committee completely. Col
onel Slower said.
On this subject Council received a
letter from Tatnall and Company
who represent William Murphey, a
property owner in Wilmington. They
said they had been notified that there
is outstanding on the books of the
city for taxes for the years 100;
to 1907 inclusive s1.477.36. They
have receipts showing they have paiC
since June II. 1907 TO August 13
1913. s1.935.10 which shows there il
some difference which they wouls
like TO have corrected. Their letter
was referred to the finance commit
tee.
TO FORM cHAUTAUoUA CIRCLE.