Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-11
PROTESTS AGAINST
TAX ORDINANCE
Overlapping License Features to
be Aired Before the Members
of Council Tonight.

Protests against n tax ordinance which
lev,cs ms many ms dozen taxes on n single
business establishment will be heard by
City Council sitting as committee of the
whole tonight. Councilman Charles For
wood, chairman Of the finance committee.
hes invited all persons who feel that the
proposed ordinance would work hardship
to them TO appear before the board to
state their case. Councilmen admit quite
generally that the ordinance rs not Just
what " should be. and II - now predicted
that u could not pass as IT stands.
The most serious objection TO the pro-
posed measure that has developed so far
Il the fact that grocer who happens TO
cell ice cream, candy, cigars. and other
things not classed as groceries, would have
10 nav n tax for each class OF goods, IN
addition 20 the specific merchant tax,
while n man who conducts furniture or
meat business would have only the one
t,x IN pny II is anticipated that the
ordinance will hc radically amended.
Charles G keedy. an attorney. is
among those who have made written
protests to Council.
Mr. KEDY = LITTER.
Mr.. kccdys letter follows:
"As resident of this city and one
who represents a number of persons whose
business interests are vitally concerned
therein. kindly permit me TO present IN
this medium, on account OF expected IN
ability 90 attend in person the "Wednesday
and Thursday night meetings oi your
hoa,d. nv views on the proposed ordl-
nanccs providing license fees for certain
occupations and businesses conducted IN
this CITY. ms | have gathered their pro
visions from recent press reports Oh the
same
"The ordinances provide that persons
engaged in the conduct OF certain husi-
nesses and professions IN the city oi VII
mington should pay to the city certain
fixed yearly license fees, varying In
amounts for the respective occupations
from s. 20 $50 The ordinances do not
propose, | understand. 10 regulate or
control IN the interest of the general well
fare of the city the conduct or exercise OF
the several occupations IN its territory IN
any manner, nor do they provide for the
passing Of test or examination OF any
store before a liccnse is granted. Existing
statutes of the State of Delaware grant
I,ersnns the right to engage IN certain OF
the h,isinesses and professions mentioned
IN the ORDINANCES anywhere in the State
lnon obtaining the licenses provided for
IN the statutes 80 II would seem that
the ordinances do not provide for license
ieos. properly So classified, but for taxes
which persons engaged IN these occu-
patiuns must pay To the city IN addition
81 the general taxes which they pay IN
common with other residents
But as taxes the amounts assessed 10
those who engage IN the occupations men,
toned arc set az arbitrary figures, no
hasis Is provided for the determination of
tho amount of the taxes, either on the
none, value or on the extent, physlcel
or otherwise. Of the business or profession
conducted. For example, tax OF $50 on
all manufacturers has not the slightest
bearing on the extent or degree of pro-
lection the city affords, or may be called
on e. afford. through its police, hre or
sanitary departments to the persons and
property engaged IN this occupation and
covered hy the tax. Grocers running 2
cigar stand as a side line to their business
would pay yearly tax of s5 on this small
feature oi their business, while large cigar
stores with extensive business, such as
the United Cigar Stores and Schultz, Inc,
would paw no more. Other similar illus
trations readily suggest themselves.
1T must be clearly seen that any tax
that is set al an arbitrary figure, regard
less Of the extent of business carried on
or the value and amount of capital or
property invested and used in il by those
who carry on certain kind of occupation,
is unjust and unfair and falls with un-
equal burden on the taxpayers. 1t is not
that the taxes so arbitrarily imposed will
force anyone out of business, but exaction
of the same will mean. substantial paw
ments TO some and mere 'pIn-money' 20
others, who, however, secure far greater
protection and benefits from the city.
There rs no more justice in taxing
anyone engaged in the real estate business.
for example, $50 than there would be in
taxing every owner of real estate, regard
less of the extent of his holdings, at fat
sum of $500
"If the city must have additional reve-
nue. for its public purposes, let il lay a
tax in the usual method ON basis which
would cause the burden thereof to be
borne proportionately and eouitably and
bear some reasonable relation to the ex-
tent of benefits and protection secured
from the municipality by those within its
borders.
VERY respectfully yours,
(Signed) Charles c. Keedy."