Evening journal., 1920-07-29
MAKE
Strong PROTEST
Physicians and Dentists OBJ
ject to Proposed Tax
on Them.
BASTIAN SUGGESTS
STATE HELP CITY

10 license professional aud business
mcn was TO affect only physicians |
and dentists, members Of those two
professions launched an attack on
the proposed measure In City Council |
chambers last night. The discussion
lasted nearly two hours. At the close
10 was made plain by the Councilman
that not only were those two pro-
fcssions To be taxed a small sum but
others who were In business here
wen, TO be made TO bear a just portion
OF The city's expense.
Those who opposed the measure
as, "class legislation" Joined with the
cOuncilmcn In contcndng that VII
mlngton was bearing a large share
Of the financial burden OF the State.
Dr. j. w. Basiian openly advocated
that citizens OF Wilmington refuse to
pay any more state taxes until the
city Is granted more revenue that
now goes into The States Golfers.
" The opening Of the discussion,
g. rncilman ForwOod, chairman OF
me finance committee Of Council, OK
planned that The city has for years
recon- ed The bulk of Us revenu. from
'axGiion on real essJte and hat WIZ
the increasing cost OF operating the
city, 10 was necessary 10 receive ad-
NANNWMNI ANANMuis III NAif Ihah NNA'
revenue was derived from eight
sources, other than real estate, such
as motion picture theatres, pool
rooms, circuscs, etc, he said.
10 was explained That a survey made
by the government OF means OF rails
ing revenue In cities of 10000 or
more population, showed that In some
cities taxes were levied on COO or
more business enterprises.
Or. w. r. Bird, representing the
New Castle County Medical Society,"
was the FIRST one "a attack the pro-
posed measure, saying I'VE physicians
oppose The tax, not because OF any
monetary reason, but on general prin-
ciples. We know ihe city needs
money. but this State Is the only one
that taxes our profession annually"
Dr. Bird said he thought no city
taxed physicians, although Norfolk
had thought OF such a plan at one
time
Councilman Mearns had Clerk Of
Council Simmons read the list Of
cities that taxed physicians as COM
piled by the government This showed
lhat many taxed the members Of the
medical profession, some on a nat
riie. ranging from IS 20 $40. while
others taxed according TO the gross
receipts Of the physicians and this
tax ranged from Si5 30 si25.
nr. Bird then said he doctors ielt
that as they worked onc-third or the
wear without pay, they should not
be taxed. In making this assertion he
rxnlannd that The physicians d.
vtlcd their work into three parts, The
dead beats. who do not pay FOR their
medical work. those who cannot pay
Nho regular fece and those who pay
lhn fee asked Tho government, ne
said found that it rOsi s27 NN To- cdu-
cate a physician, representing the In
come pms the outlay Of his seven
wears of training. In conclusion Or.
Bird said. you need money, we
I know. bui so 10 Dover Qud start a
revolution there, the people are with
YOU. The proposed tax Is unjust 70
us after we have given so much TO
charity"
Dr. Basiian the second speaker said
Il am willing 10 pay my taxes nut
am opposed, 10 paying one cent more
lnx Than anv other man. Now no one
Is maging more money today than the
iaborer. Why not tax him / agrts
with YOU that the city needs money
But why not cut down eNpens1s
You have an oil Inspector Why
Keen him? What difference does u
matter whether we have luhrcatine
Ion I'm our gasoline or note What can
we do? AS a result OF this inspector
Ne are paying one cent more a gal.
lon for gasoline than Is charged down
b lhe state and a salesman told me IL
. vas due 10 this city having such al
Inspector"
Or. Bastian was informed by Coun
Gilman Kane that the oil Inspector
..nNN ..fnrtF.asNfnm and Nnu|
D he did not inspect any but coal oils
r Or. Bastian also suggested that thi
e city dispense with the street In
r speoiors and he asked The question a.
r lc how many automobiles The CIT,
p owned and what they were used for
S He dcplOred the abollshment OF tn
one dollar registration fee law Con
finuing he said. II believe 81 the ta'
is 10 be levied 10 should be city In
come hax There are few doctors re
, firing and those who die and leav
widows arc in want"
Dr G. w. VAUGHN presented a peti
ton signed by - physicians protest
p ing against the proposed TAX.
nr Charles r. Iefferis. Jr. a deniis
:. then presented the following resolu
y ton adouied BY the dentists al
q mseiing recently held 70 discuss IN
y molier.
II "A representative meeting Of N
dentists ~ this city was held on tai
N date 10 discuss the proposed new Ia
4 on several professions. A motio
: was made and carried that com
~ miiice be appointed 20 make and pre-
n sent TO your honorable hody on Wed
m nesday evening July 2S. protes
N against the levying OF said tax.
Ne "The dentists believe that the pas
a has proved their qualities as loyi
h citizens. and are steadfast in their ir
c. ientlons 20 continue as such. The
are willing 20 assist In increasing IA
necessary city revenues their prOpOl
IA Nonaie share as citizens. hut feel me
he this tax Is decidedly dlscriminator'
since an professions and trades al
not included.
we have az present four annu
professional taxes amounting 20 81
"The total sum collected hv IN
tax from so few individuals viii ne
cssarily be inconsiderahle
"An professions and trades arc M
Included In The above tax.
win Increase Dental Cost.
"rhe cost OF dental service 10 q
II public VIII be increased out OF pr
III portion from such t1xation
ut Is desired 20 call the attenti,
of your Honorable Body 10 the IA
that our earning capacity as de
lists depends entirely upon the heal
and ability m the individual and
hich percentage OF our gross incor
Is now required for prOfcssioni
maintenance and equipment not {
seniial to the same degree In 9th
professions
This argument We desire % !
spectfully submit to your Honoral