Arizona republican., 1914-06-03
The New License Ordinance


 Ordinance No 6, the license ordinance has become the object of bitter criticism than has before been directed against any municipal legislation in Phoenix.
 While much the criticism undoubtedly arises from misapprehension of the ordinance, misinter- pretation of of it's provisions, or from wiful misstatements made or rumors circulated, 1t seems equally true that the ordinance needs amend ment it becomes operative, and We be- lieve that the present commission will be per fectly willing provide for such amendments as may be needed without action through the refer endum
 illustration of of the msunder standing regarding this ordinance, many have been led to believe that it laborers and that ployes of all classes pay As matter of fact, there is line in the ordinance that be interpreted. A letter which we publish elsewhere this issue from the city attorney George D. Christy, should help clear up the situation
 We hear also the poor washerwoman must pay q tax her efforts to support herself and her family But to washerwomen. the ordi- nance $ different from the existing one and wasnervvonlan in Phoenix has paid q license tax. We know. furthermore, that there are poor washerwomen who poor pay for the water they use and it is furnished by the city without charge
 The impression that employees be taxed probably gained from loose reading of the opening paragraph of the ordinance where refer made to clerks, agents and employees act ing for corporations, associations firms or persons suo;ect license tax and not for themselves. The ordinance imposes upon employees. 1t levy penny of tax upon any wage -earner.
 There has also been complaint the sweeping character the ordinance; of the i'm position of license upon occupations which have hitherto been required to pay tax, such doctors and lawyers and of various classes But as to the list of taxed occupations the ordi- drawn in strict conformity to the new charter which authorizes the commission. though it does make it obligatory. enact license tax ordinance But if the commission does enact such ordinance. there must be included in it, in the language the charter for the purpose Of lation and revenue, ALL AND EVERY KIND OF BUSINESS. PROFESSION, CALLING AND TRADE OR OCCUPATION NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, TO BE TRANSACTED OR CARRIED ON IN THE CITY
 Many of the occupation taxes higher than they should have been made though the commis- sion is informed that they are not higher than they are in many other places There appears, also 10 be inconsistency in the fixing of occupation
 
 But it the purpose of the commission to frame immutable ordinance. It expected that many needed changes by amendment would suggest themselves. The commission has already made nota ton of many provisions that will be changed when the ordinance becomes operative. The ordi- nance in fact, regarded by the commission only basis for license ordinance
 We understand that the Merchants & Manu- lecturers Association early meeting will con slider this ordinance, and we believe that such sug- gestions may be made by the association the board of trade individual citizens should be given attention by the commission
 As the regulation features of the ordinance, we do not think that any reasonable criticism be made. There has been great lack of regula ton in the past and too lax effort collect the license taxes that have accrued under the existing ordinance This has been unjust and unfair None of the occupations which have been included in the ordinance have shown. could have been omitted without violation of the plain terms of the charter It only remains to adjust the license taxes equtably among the various occupations It is impossible, of course to apply an occupation tax in absolutely equitable manner but near ap- proach may be made to justice, and we believe that it is the desire and purpose of the commission to make that approach.
 Leaving of account the ungrOunded criti- cisms of the ordinance which have been made it is subject to severe and reasonable criticism it stands disinterested examination of the ordi nance discloses numerous and decided inconsistent cies well many important omissions We be- eve that the most rapid progress will be made by a conference or series of conferences of the mission and the semi-pubc bodies of the city, at which agreements shall be reached needed