The Pulaskian., 1917-02-16
Number z
OCCUPATION TAX
 IS NOW PROPOSED
WILL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT REV. ENUE FOR CITIES OF THE FIRST CLASS IF BROOKS BILL BE-
 COMES A STATE LAW.

Ever since Arkansas became dry state there has been complaint from all cities of the first class that they have been hampered through the loss of saloon license revenues, and efforts to collect an occupation tax has failed because there was no law to back such demand on the part of the city. MT. Brooks, Pulaski county repre- sentative. and a good one. has sub mitted to the house the following bill. This bill affects many merchants of the state. and Is printed in full in or der that they may know it's provisions, and bring to bear on the General As sembly their influence, either for or against 1t, just as it affects their in- terest
 The bill follows:
 An Act for the better government of cities of the first class and to con- fer enlarged an additional powers on such cities"
 Section l. That hereafter any city council or board of commissioners of any city of the first class shall have power to pass by a two-third vote of all the members elected thereto, an ordinance requiring that any person, firm or corporation who shall engage in, follow or carry on any trade, bust ness, profession or vocation within it's corporate limits, shall take out a IT, cense therefor and pay into the city trpacurv hnfora yaoaivinu oau,a o,.ol, amount of money as may be specified by such ordinance for such license, not exceeding $200 per annum for any one person, firm or corporation for tho trade, profession or vocation engaged in, to be graded in class as near as may be practical according to the in- come or amount of business done CT property therein invested, and shall have full power to punish a violation of such ordinance, provided, that no person, firm or corporation shall be subject to the license fee or tax men toned in this Act in more than one city unless such person, firm or cor poration maintains a place of business in more than one city
 Provided further, that neither the above limitation as to the amount of license or anything herein contained, shall be construed as limitation or restriction upoon the power of such city to tax, license, regulate or sup- press any trade, business, calling or vocation in any case where such pow CT previously has been or may hereaf- ter be conferred by any other laws, and that nothing herein contained shall be construed as to apply to com mon laborers, artisans. mechanics or any persons working for wages ty the day, week or month.
 Section 2. Before the ordinance shall become effective it shall be sub- mitted to the qualified voters of such city, within thirty days after the pass age thereof, at special election call ed for that purpose by proclamation, for approval or rejection. If ma jority of the persons voting at such election approve such ordinance it shall become effective as soon as the result Is ascertained and declared by the county election commissioners If it be rejected by such majority it shall not again be submitted to the voters of such city until six months there after.
 Section 3. All laws and parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. This Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, shall be in force and effect from and after l it's passage.