Evening journal., 1922-03-02
TO REDRAFT CITY
Law ON MOTORS
Objection on Part of Busi-
ness Men Causes Council
TO Change Plan
BUSINESS MEN
VOICE PROTEST


9rdinance to impose a city license
tax Of from IS TO s25 on all classes
of vehicles. the measure will be re-
lrafted and final consideration prob
bly, put of for at least one week
instead OF being taken tonight.
The ordinance already has passed
two readings and is in the hands Of
the law and finance committees
Councilman James b. McManus.
chairman OF the finance committee
and Republican floor leader. brought
a hearing on the measure 10 a dra-
matte close In Council. sitting as
committee OF the whole, last night.
when he declared that there was no
Intention TO infilct a hardship upon
any business, and then said:
Il would like TO ask you, gentle
nen. II you believe the present IL
cense business license law should be
-igidly enforced2"
Replies of "yes" came from many
parts Of the large audience, to which
Mr.. McManus retorted: Thank
YOU, gentlemen, some of youF prom
inent speakers will get a bill to-
morrow"
This sally called forth consider
ible applause and laughter.
The special committee OF the
chamber of Commerce. headed by
H. T. Bush. which was named 10
sound the sentiment OF the business
interests on the proposed tax. rail-
lied fully a hundred business and
professional men in opposition TO
. ha a. Ia - MI rfr
Objections were numerous and di-
| versified II was maintained that
/ the ordinance would drive business
from the city; that it>would hamper
| Wilmington's growth as the COM
/ mercial center Of the Delmarvia
/ Peninsula, and that It was in direct
/ violation OF a pledge given by the
previous City Council to the Legis-
4 lature not TO impose a furthef tax
4 alton on motor vehicles.
\ Alexander Jamison. an attorney
representing the Delaware Automo-
\ bile Association. declared that his
4 organization represented 1900 mem
bers. 1000 OF whom were residents
4 Of Wilmington, and that Il was
4 opposed 20 the tax. He contended
y that many citizens are ION the
4 verge OF desperation" at present
because of the industrial depres-
1 sion and increasing tax demands
4 This is no time" he exclaimed. ITO
4 harass them with further taxes
In fact this is a most inauspicious
time to spring anything like this
tax on any class OF the community
A In support OF his claim. Mr.
4 Jamison cited the numerous taxes
4 which motorists are Obliged TO pay
d For example, he said, the owner OF
3 $4,000 car must pay more thar
= 800 a year already In various fees
K etc, and that II his car should be
used as a common carrier. he Il
N forced TO pay a license fee OF $50
4 additional, making $3.50 in all
Mr.. Jamlson said there were abou
q 5000 automobiles in wilmington. OF
which approximately 1000 would be
taxed under the proposed ordinance
A Estimating that that tax would aver.
d age $40 a car, this would mean that
the motorists would be forced to as.
sumo an additional burden OF $780,
81 900 a year. There is a rising tide
: OF resentment throughout the entire
country. against the constantly in
IA creasing tax burden" he continued
\ 'and Il Is time that the representa-
& tives OF the people give heed TO it,
n Here Mr.. Jamison cited the prom
ise given by the previous City Coun-
NJ ell to the Legislature that Whining.
II ton would not impose such tax a,
was now considered II the Legisla.
ture gave Council authority TO i'm.
pose license fees on business.
Councilman McNabb. who was
n member OF the Legislature when thi
81 pledge was given. corroborated Mr.
- Jamisons declaration, but adde,
81 that II was only because OF thi
% pledge that he would oppose tn
81 measure
Wilmer stradley president Of tn
2 Diamond Ice and Coal Company
81 speaking for the committee appoint
# ed by the Chamber Of Commerce
Al said he knew Council must rails
81 funds. but believed a fee which onl!
"a taxes the few was entirely UNJUST
81 fed.
Edward r. Pusey. representa-
X the New Castle county section OF tn
III Delaware State Coal Club, whicl
s. consists Of practically all the Goa
s. dealers in the county doing bushes
81 in Wilmington. said the ordinanc
would impose a burden OF abou
$4,000 on the coal men. This burden
he added. would have 10 be passei
n along to the consumer.
b. X. Smedley. OF Broslus AM
smedley. coal and lumber dealers
entered protest for the lumbe
Fl men. who. he said, were now loadel
Fl down with taxes and suffering in
T. tensely from the business depres
FL sion.
II A. ID. Warner, Jr., told OF It
81 hampering effect on truck transpor
<X tatlon. William p. White protestel
Fl I'm the interest OF local laundries. II
n W. Lowe. local trucker. pointed on
the effect on his business, II othe
Xcities through which his trucks pass
ed, we're to pass the same law.
Holstein Harvey appeared for tn
wholesale grocers. and claimed tn
*Iimposition OF the license fee woul'
/drive business away from the city
10. c. Purdy representing the oi
dealers. added a protest. II. lie
Wood. OF Comfy Bros. local haulers
said his Arm had lot OF wagons
which were only used occasionally
and did not think It fair 10 tax sucl
vehicles the same as those whicl
are used every day.