Evening journal., 1920-04-10
Want MORE OF
CITY Income TAX
This is Reason Chamber Op-
poses Further Taxing
Power BY Council
SAY EX-SERVICE
MEN OPPOSE BONUS

Chamber OF Commerce giving It's rea-
sons for action taken by It's Board OF
Directors In opposition to certain bills
relative TO the city and New Castle
county now before the Legislature at
Dover. The statement follows:
in opposing Senate Bills 4, and 6
and House Bills Sc, GO and 64. provid-
Ing for the. repeal OF the State Income
tax and also Senate Bill 9, an act con-
ferring upon the Mayor and Council OF
Wilmington certain additional powers
relating to the Issuing OF licenses and
collecting OF license fees, the represen-
tatives OF the Chamber are how In con-
ference with city and State officials TO
see II compromise cannot be arrived
at by which the revenue OF the city
and counties cannot be increased by a
return by the State Of a portion OF the
State Income tax, hoping thereby 10
obyi3te the necessity OF issuing licenses
by City Council for the purpose OF In
creaslng the clty's much-needed reve-
nue. Inasmuch as this matter Is In con-
ference at the present time. the Cham
Der felt II wise to disapproye all OF the
shove mentioned acts as at present
drawn and to substitute therefore some
other measure along the lines suggested.
"The acton tak,n by the board in
disapproying House Bill 3, prov ding
for compensation to soldiers. sailors,
etc. who served during the late war,
was due 10 the fact that In the Opin-
ion OF the board the amount author
IL d was entirely inadequate for the
purpose and for the additional reason
that Il has been represented to them
that the various posts Of the Ameri-
can Legion OF this locality are opposed
to this form OF recognition OF The serv-
ices ndered by them during the war.
"The board approved in principle
House Bill 49, an act 10 provide for a
Stale ArmOry and Arsenal. in which
would b. located accommodations for
the American Legion giving ample
space for conventions exh blt.Ons etc,
as a more appropriate cognition OF
the services rendered by Delaware's
service men and women. Il Is belev d
that this BIZ with an amendment, not
making Il obligatory for The munich
pali'y to proyid 100000 for this pur-
pose in order 10 avail Itself OF the Stale
Appropriation, bui authorizing the rails
Ing OF funds by subscr ptions from
private parties as well as from the
municipality.
In opposing House Bill II, an ac
to regulate New Castle county work
house, Il was felt that the passage OF
this bin at ihe pr sent time would be
Inappropriate in view OF the fact thad
The Legislature has authorized an Of
fetal investigation into the workhouse
situation and until the report OF this
investigating committee IS ready. the
board feels that no further legislative
action should be taken.
"In opposing House Bill p. an act
20 restric, heavy traffic on certain high
ways n was felt by the board that Il
would be very d filcult 10 enforce the
= ar1res In lh's act. would work hard
shi ips. unnecessarily. In many cases. and
would on'y result in adding 10 our
statutes an un-enforc,ble law.
"The board approved OF Senate Bill
IS. providing for the sale Of coun
almshouses and the establishment. In
lieu thereof. OF a State home They,
however. made recommendations OF va
r.ous amendments TO this bill. espe-
c.ally regarding the appointment and
tenure OF Ofilre OF The commissioners.
II IS believed that the change contem-
plated by this act. II properly carried
out. would be for the ultimate good OF
Tho counties and State Since action
was taken by The chamber upon this
Hill. such radical changes have been
made In this proposed act, that the
chamber now believes that no action
should be taken on this measure at This |
session. BY deierrlng action until next
year. the people win have an oppor-
tunily to study the proposed changes ,
and express themselves on this meas /
ure.
-ln opposing Senate Bill al, pertain
ing 10 the sewer system or the CITY OF
Wilmington. the board believes tnat the
present sewer and drainage laws per-
tanning to the city are fair and equit-
able and should not be altered al ms
time.
I'm opposing House Bill 81, an act re-
ouirinc all corporations TO pay all EN-
nloyes In legal tender. semi-monthiy'
the directors feel that. In Delaware
there Is no necessity for such law.
similar laws in mining communities
were probably justified. where en-
rloves were forced TO deal with me
companv stores in order 10 get thelr
checks cashed. but this condition does
moi obiain in this community and IL IS
thought that It would email an un-
necessary hardship on corporations
which nay their employees by cnecK :
instead OF in cash.
an opposing House Bill IS. an act
% regulate the police department. OF
xSritnoincion etc. by provid ng that no
nol'ce of1cer should work over eight
hours In twcnty-four. II was repre-
sented that under present conditions
4, xvould be impossible to properly po-
lice the CITY were such a restriction In
force. This action was taken not be-
cause the organ zation opposed q
shorter time OF servicee but due TO It's
knowledge OF the existing conditions
In the police department and the in
ability 10 obtain sufficient funds to
warrant such a large Increase In its
force. and also its inab lity TO obtain
The men necessary for such an Increase.
House Brl 80 An act to provide for
a three member Levy Court for Nev
Castle county This act was approved
i'm principle but certain recommended
tions made. the chief Of which was to
that the term OF the members
Of the present Levy Court should ex-
pire in January. 1921. and that at an
election In November. 1920, three MEM
bers should be elected to serve sor two I
years. AT the time the present Levy
Court members were elected they were
selected by the people TO represent GER
tain limited areas and II would only be
fair In the vnters Of The county at large