Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1921-01-28

changes to be made in the mercantile
tax rates. Not very many merchants
availed themselves of this opportunity.
Mayor Hendee and the finance COM
missioner we're son deck" at the ap-
pointed hour. "See anything of
Smith ?" queried the mayor of persons
In the chamber. "He don't have to be
here, does hep" interposed Bright.
"There are enough of people here to be
heard" he continued. "Let them go
to it The mayor then said that if
any one present had any suggestions to
make or any amendments to suggest
to the old mercantile license schedule,
he would now be heard. Charles Albig
was the first business man to arise to
speak He was understood to advocate
the fixing Of a minimum license fee,
applicable to all small dealers in every
kind Of merchandise. Then, from this
minimum rate, he would arrange a
graduated scale of licenses, based upon
the volume of business done. Under
this system, which he thought fair and
equitable, the burden of taxation would
be more equally distributed, and to
which no one could consistently object.
When the difficulties In the way of
getting data to carry out such a plan
were pointed out to Mr.. Albig he seemed
satisfied with the present arrangement.
Last year Mr.. Albig paid a grocer's
license of $40; this year his license fee
will he increased to $25, under the cap
ton of groceries and smoked meats or
provisions" He expressed himself as
willing to pay this.
r. w. Ryan was the second speaker.
His license last year was $25. This year
it is proposed to raise his fees to $50,
under the caption Of hardware, tin
ware, paints, oils, house furnishing
goods, sporting goods and wall paper"
Mr.. Ryan objected to the increase. He
said Atlantic City charged but $40 for
the privilege of selling similar lines Of
merchandise.
Dealers in drugs, toilet articles and
fancy goods pay a license of $25 it was
stated.
Dealers in groceries, smoked meats
and poultry, wholesale, must pay a
license of $50.
w. F. Wentzell, who pays a license
Of 500 per snnum for..the privilege of
selling shoes, clothing and furnishings,
spoke of the necessity for more careful
classification of mercantile lists. He
does not object to the amount of the
license he is paying, but says be is not
protected, as variety and novelty stores,
paying a smaller license, are permitted
to sell underwear, overalls, etc., articles
in his line, and to handle which he
pays a higher rate.
Palmer M. Way vas present and
asked permission to state that he repre-
sented the Hack Drivers Association
of Wild wood. 1.-THE members of this
organization" he said, "do business
largely in the summer time" The fee
for hack drivers has been $25, but MI.
Way said these men would not object
to paying as much az $50 if given
proper protection. He requested the
commissioners to pass an ordinance
limiting the issuance of a hack drivers
license to persons who have resided at
least one year in the state and five
months in Wild wood.
Robert G.. Latimer proposed a new
departure in the levying Of mercantile
licenses. He suggested the propriety
and equity of placing a mercantile tax
on owners of hotels, apartment houses,
rooming houses and boarding houses
the rate to be fixed at so much per
room. Mr.. Ryan stated that Atlantic
City has been pursuing such a policy
for some years. The rate there is Toe.
per room. Edwin M. Johnson, ST.,
favored the adoption of the Atlantic
City plan. Should our commissioners
act on the suggestions made in regard
to this new method of raising revenue
in Wild wood, 1t is not probable that a
rate higher than soc. per roo would
be adopted.
In the course of his remarks Palmer
M. Way said he had prepared a notice
Of intention to be published preparatory
to the introduction of the ordinance for
the protection of the Hack Drivers
Association. He said he would submit
this to City Solicitor Hand for approval.