Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-01-06
MAYOR CASTS
DECIDING VOTE
TO BREAK TIE
Alderman Burke Calls Levy
''Blood Money" But Alder
man Allison Forces Decision

With Mayor Sheppard being cali
ed upon to cast the deciding vote for
the first time since he became mayor,
the city council, in onsideration Of
the special license ordinance for 1922
last night, voted tax of one
half a cent per gallon on all
gasoline sold inside the city. Alder
man r, e. Allison, who proposed the
levy, predicted that such tax would
raise $4,000 or $4,000 a year. Deal
ers are to keep account of amounts
sold and make settlements monthly.
The levy was vigorously opposed by
Alderman G. H. Burke who charac-
terized it as "blood money" Mr..
Allison said ii was no more blood
money than was any other tax, but
insisted that it was more in the ra-
ture of luxury tax, inasmuch as
great deal of it would be paid by
pleasure cars and also considerable
portion by tourists who are not other
wise obliged to contribute to the up
keep of the streets which they use
and all would come from people who
are able to pay it.
Alderman Allison called for vote
and the eyes were Allison, Warren
and Harris; nays Burke, Taylor and
Mashburn.
Two Wanted Time.
Mr.. Taylor and Mr.. Mashburn said
they would like to see the matter de-
layed until they had time to invests
gate the effect Of the levy further,
asserting that they did not know
whether hey favored Or opposed it.
merely objecting to cnacting it at
this time Mayor Sheppard infor-
mally suggested that inasmucl as
there had been tie, and it was up
to him to cast the deciding vote, he
would appreciate delay. he said
that if compelled to vote he would
vote aye, but that the city attorney
was not clear on the legality Of the
levy and therefore he would favor
postponement of a decision. Alder
man Allison asked il that meant Nthe
thing would have to be done all over
again" at the next meeting, and
new vote was taken. He was inform
ed this was the case, whereupon he
called for the mayor to vote and
the latter was recorded as voting age
and affecting adoption of the levy.
Butchers Get Protection.
Numerous changes were made in
the special license ordinance. A
group Of butchers appeared and ask
ed protection from the sale of meat
in the city by persons from outsids
who are making more or less Of a
business Of peddling it. They asked
no change in the amount Nef license.
The section relating to their business
was amended so that no farmer may
sell less than half hog or a quarter
of a beef in the city without butch
er's license, except that he may dis
pose of spare ribs and backbone.
A group of druggists informed
council that the numerous lieense$ to-
which they were subject totaIled
amounts. out of proportion with other
businesses here and asked reduc-
. ton. It was shown that their licenses
total from SOL for smaller business
without soda founts to $121. They
were given reduction Of $25 d year,
! SIS being taken off the drug license
and $40 off the soda fountain license.
] G. j. Clarke told the council that
it did not seem right to impose taxes
on manufacturing enterprises bring
ing business here from elsewhere
! and employing skilled men, as such
/ taxes tended to discourage industry.
The marble yard tax was reduced
from $50 to $40.
Piggy Wiggly Raised
The Piggly Wiggly license, was in-
creased from $100 to $125 because
of the fact, it was stated, that such
stores carry lines of toilet articles
usually sold by drug stores and there
fore in that respect compete with stha
licensed druggists.
The schedule for dry goods, cloth
ing, shoe and furnishings stores was
completely revised and scheduled.
1t was the opinion of Alderman Tay-
lor, chairman Of the tax committee,
that the revision would slightly in
crease the revenue of the city.