The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-05-27
TAX ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTORS IS.
BROUGHT BEFORE.
c 0 N MISSIONERS.
Squires Appears Before
Board and Renews Fight
Against Issue; Says 1t
Discriminates.
"JITNEYBUS" RATES
ALSO DISCUSSED
STEVE" MAKES A PLEA FOR A
FLAT RATE TO FAVOR HOME
OWNER OF FLOCK OF
SERVICE CARS.
"JITNEYBUS" RATES
ALSO DISCUSSED

Alleging that he had twice won
judgment against the city in the
courts, and that if the city intended
to appeal to the supreme court from
the decisions, he would continue the
fight, c, G.. Squires, proprietor OF the
Squires Electric Company, appeared
before the board of city commission
ers at their meeting Thursday night,
and inquired as to the intentions of
, the city officials regarding the tax Of
$50 which is now assessed against
electrical contractors. Mr.. Sqmres
maintained that the tax ia too high
and that it tends to keep out of the
city electricians who would otherwise
!, come here and engage in the business.
: Squires stated that he had brought
the matter up in the courts, and that
his attorney had informed him that
the tax was unconstitutional
II am the Oldest electrical contrac-
tor in the city" said Mr.. Squires re-
ferring TO the length OF time he has
been engaged in business here, "and
when the tax was first levied five
years ago, I fought it. but it went over
my head. The tax is too high and II
bars the other man out If he wants to
come in"
Mr.. squires insisted that he could
take out general contractors hcense
for $40, which would permit him to do
any kind Of contracting work, build a
house, electrical wiring, etc.
There were several other electrical
contractors present at the meeting, all
Of whom stated that the tax was not
too high and that 1t should remain as
it was. LaMont Byars stated that he
was rather surprised at Mr.. Squires'
generosity in that he wanted the Ii
cense fee to be lowered to permit 9TH
ers to come in at lower rate. THE
$50 license" said Mr.. Byars, "guaran-
tees a better class OF work and keeps
cut the surbstone artists 10 the cleo
trical line. who would otherwise try
TO work in this city"
IF its protection you want Mr..
SquIres said, referring to Mr.. Byars'
$500 or $1,000. If you want to keep
everyone out"
In answer TO the question OF com
missioner Hendon as 10 why he object.
cd to paying the $50 license, Mr..
Squires replied Because 1t bars 9TH
ers from coming in 10 work. l am
not afraid OF competition. Its a matter
Of court. 1 have taken the case up
with lawyers. The city can appeal
from the two judgments ] have won
in the courts TO the supreme court
and I'll go with them"
During the course OF the argument,
Mr.. Squires accused the other cleo
trical men of Ardmore OF centering the
fight to retain license fee, on him be-
cause he was conducting an open shop.
J. W. Stansel begged TO differ with
Mr.. Squires as TO the fight, denying
that the contractors were combating
Mr.. Squires. and stating that he was
willing TO abide by whatever the city
officials saw III 10 decide.
Commissioner Eddleman stated
that the whole matter came up on ac-
count OF the refusal OF Mr. squires &c
pay the license. He stated that the
city has the right to levy n tax on
contractors, and that the purpose OF
the $50 levy was not to keep others
out but was TO furnish an additional
source Of revenue to the city.
Mayor Dyer, In commenting on the
subject, said. THE creed OF the city Is
equal opportunities to all and special
privileges TO none"
Commissioner Eddleman stated that
the reason squlres might have received
Judgment In his law suits on the mat
ter was because he had represented &c
the court that he was u merchant
handling electrical appliances and did
not represent himself as being an cleo
trical contractor. Squires differed
with Mr.. Eddleman's statement ans
raid that he had admitted in cour
that he was an electrical contractor
81 have been In the electrical contract
Ing business FOR the past five year
a here" sauires said and have always
Wadmitted IT,"
"wsil.s said Commissions Eddie
man, "since you admit that you arr
an electrical contractor. my advice e
you is that you'd better pay the Ii
= cense tax
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Eddie
Continued on Page Three