The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-06-25
new CORPORATIONS WILL
NOT COME TO WHEELING
sUcH - THE OPINION OF M. W..
o isylns ~ CORPORA
says Bsd Precedent rss Beer Est,b-
hsned That say Iesc 20 Heavier
Tssston In Future


The action o. the city council last
week In passing . iaE taxing corpora
tons within the city. has caused no
end % comment on the part % bust
ness men and attorneys. Who have
Kiven the matter much study. With
few exceptions. the general opinion ir
that the action OF council II illegal.
and IL II generally thought that the
Law making body OF the city. acted IN.
wisely and hastily In the matter. no;
having given careful thought and con.
alteration 70 the Legality OF the ques-
ton.
Several business men have not had
me opportunity TO look Up the legal
side OF the question. and while they
have not commented on the new Law
70 any extent, they condemn council
Tor acting without consulting the city
solicitor Tho legal side of the case
vas given In the lntelligsncer several
days ago. IN an opinion rendered BY
General Alfred Caldwell. prominent
local attorney. who referred 10 au.
thorities for his contentious In dis
cussins the case at hat time General
Caldwell cited supreme court rul-
Ing. which he construed as similar 20
this case. In which the Supreme Court
OF West Virginia. held that the CITY
had no power 20 levy an extra as
In discussing the question involving
the action or council In placing a spe-
cial tax on corporations. Mr.. W. %. In.
vine. vice president OF the National
Bank OF West Virginia. and president
OF the Wheeling Board of Trade, con.
demned the action OF council Mr..
Irvine said:
President Irvine TaiksL
think that council acted too fast
The members ought 20 act slowly IN
such matters as this. even though Il
has the right Such action sets a bad
precedent for future councils. and may
result In great abuse OF the privilege.
Council. ! think. ought TO act cautious.
and not involve the city IN useless
litigation. which may cause an unnec-
essary expenditure OF money In de-
tending probable suits.
IL seems strange TO me that any
council committee, or council itself
would undertake 10 levy a tar of this
Kind without first availing itself OF the
opportunity TO get the opinion Of the
city solicitor. IL IL my understanding
that the committee drafted the ordi.
nance without asking for the opinion
OF City Solicitor Bremen. II that is
20, the step was an unwise one. as
mr. Bremen Is paid by the city TO rem.
der opinions in just such cases, and
lend assistance.
Not Legal.
i, personally, am opposed TO the
tax that has been levied. and will not
DE satisfied that II is collectable untn
an opinion has been given. There
seems TO be a difference of opinion,
and IL will probably be settled soon
do not know anything about the legal
side or the question to amount 10 any
thins. but can't see how the act can
be construed as just and legal
There Is one thing sure. II will
prevent corporations with large cant
tai from locating here. Large corpor-
atoms VIII hesitate before taking a
step that viii land them here. and
hnding that they will be compelled TO
pay an eXorbitant tax. that Is not
leNled IN any other city. Will refuse
10 come In. The result will he thar
the city Will lose new enterprises and
businesses that would otherwise be
a great benefit TO the CITY. We need
new enterprises. but such acts as this
VIII prevent their coming. The CITY
races crisis in its advancement and
due consideration should be given be-
fore the final step is taken 10 force
collection OF the tax.
. Corporations considering entering
the city would stop and consider what
might result in the future Some might
reel that the present tax might be
paid all right. and after being located
here. and after having iavested large
sums Of money. might be called upon
IN the Mture 70 pay an additional tax
They would have reason 10 believe
this. when they look upon the action
OF the present council A precedent
has been established and a future
council might endeavor 10 levy A
larger tax. You see. the present act
opens up n way TO greater trouble in
the future. and would he instrument
tai In causing big corporations 10 shy
at Wheeling and stay away"