Evening journal., 1913-02-07
;ARINCS
ON BILLS in
LEGISLATURE
'enue Commission Urges
eaSureS---FranCiS |. du-
POnt for Single Tax
IBnITY COMMISSION
PRAISES Mr.. TOWNSEND

given a hearing by the Legisla-
in joint session yesterday after
b in advocacy of the twenty-five
prepared by the Commission to
ne revenue into the State treas
Colonel George W. Sparks.
kesman for the Commission, said
& no bin had been prepared to in
ase the states revenue or TO
lk' Wilmington, but to equalize
ation Experts generally recog-
e that Delaware has an excellent
system. he said. inasmuch as tax
real estate is for local purposes,
ile licenses go TO the State rev
le Taking up the proposed new
.nufacturers tax law. Mr. Sparks
d it provides a tax OF one-ffteth
cent on gross receipts, which
uld be satisfactory 70 manufactur-
II does away with the inqulsi-
ial feature of the present law, and
luld bring In as much revenue as
present law
"a on Liquor Clubs.
The bills affecting the liquor in
rests were the only measures on
lich there was a dissenting vote
the Commission Mr.. Sparks said.
ie most drastic recommendation is
nj to increase the license to 5000 q
ar, from S25. for the privilege OF
failers selling liquor TO be drunk
the premises, but Il confers much
oader powers Regarding the bill
tax sideboard liquor clubs 500 "a
ar. Mr. Sparks pointed out that the
urt in Wilmington is expected 10
We a decision soon as TO the rights
clubs 20 sell or dispense liquor to
ombers. II the court should rule
at dispensing is selling within the
Gaming of the law, Mr. Sparks point
out. the license of 500 a year
ould give the clubs a legal status
Id would be the only way to enable
EN- to serve their members with
links.
0uld Appoint Assessors.
Regarding the bills for the Superior
9urt TO appoint the county assessors,
be divided equally between the two
incipal political parties. Mr. Sparks
i'd that Il is impossible TO get a uni
rm. just and fair assessment by as
ssors elected by the people. He was
lrry a House committee had report
W these bills unfavorably before the
Epmmission could have a nearing.
Mr.. Sparks pointed out that the
late for the past two yeais has had
4ceipts OF $6500 in excess Of the dis
ffeements. narrow maign. and
emenody must be on the lookout for
fw sources of revenue There Is no
sason. he argued, why the barber
nd livery stable proprietor and
fhers in business should not pay a
cense when the struggling widow
7iih her small store must obtain a
Icense.
Tie urged she advlsabilitS OF the
legislature continuing a Revenue and
Taxation Commission of small mem
ership. and remarked that none of
/. he Commissioners who have served
everal years was particularly anxi-
JUS to continue in that capacity.
Philip L. Garrett counsel for the
Commission. followed Mr. Sparks and
discussed some Of the bills further.
lie hoped the present Legislature
would do something TO remove the
loubt as to the right of clubs to sell
9r dispense liquor to members.
Urged Single Tax.
Francis I. DUPONT of Wilmington.
Following the hearing to the Revenue
Commission. addressed the members
of the Legislature briefly in advocacy
I1f Representative Bradfords propos-
I'd amendment TO the state Constitu-
iion providing for local option on the
single tax question. applying to coun-
Ties. cities. towns. etc, as the unit of
taxation. Mr.. dupont said that If the
constitutional amendment were adopt
Ted It would enable the enactment OF
legislation giving communities the
Fright to vote on question OF whether
.or not they desired TO adopt grad
pated single tax system. Before such
Ia system could be adopted. he ex-
Nplained. there first would prove to be
Favorable action by the Town Council
Tor governmental authority; then
Favorable action by vote OF the pro-
tperty holders, and then favorable ac.
ftion by the general voters.
4 II all should favor il. then exemp
ftion from taxation OF twenty-five pc
fcent of the value of Improvement
ION land could be made BY following
tthe same method the exemption OF tax
alton on Improvements could b.
i graduated downward by twenty-five
per cent drops until the entire valu
LOT improvements eventually could b
i exempted and the tax would be oil
1.-THE land value only Mr. dupont
who has devoted years to study Of tax
alton problems. said this plan is Il
4 successful operation in British Colum
( bia
/ Praise Mr.. Townsend.
a r. Allen Hlles. chairman Of IN
& Commission 10 draft an Employers
\ liability and Workmen's Compensa
f ION bill, in addressing the Senate an
Iicuse yesterday afternoon. compli
\ mented Sylvester ID. Townsend, Jr
for the time and attention he CAV
& 10 research. preparation and framing
OF the bill. to the detriment of hi
own private practice Mr. Hilles
/ said that all the commissioners. ex
cepting Mr.. Townsend. joined in
recommendation that about S400 of tn
appropriation to the Commission
which had not been expended b
Transferred by legislative action {
Mr. Townsend as an appreciation @
his valued services to the Commission
for which he has not received a cen
and which services he performe
without expectation OF compensation
Senator Walker introduced the Em
ployers Liability and Workmen'
Compensation bill recommended b.
the Commission in the Senate an
Representative Mooney introduced
in the House.