The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-08
GAS TAX FINDS
 FAVOR TO MEET
 SALARY RAISES
Dickinson Makes State
 ment In Defense Of Proposal

The city commisson will make anoth- eFSeffort at a conference Wednesday to a&Eee on a plan to raise the salaries of pdficemen and firemen. Other details in@connection with the drafting of th2 new financial budget are scheduled for adfion.
 The proposed gasoline tax appears to have the best change for adoption of any plans now before the commission, un- less it is decided that Commissions: Dickson's proposal to collect the public improvement shortages from the comp trnller's bondsmen is legal. Adoption ofsDickson's plan would make available akproximately $50,000 for the salary raises, and the commission then could trim the various department budgets and find another $40,000 without levy ing any kind of tax increase, according toStalk at city hall. It will take around $9O,000 to give the policemen and firemen $15 increase per month. / Commissioner w. l.. Harrison, in q formal statement, declared the gasoline tax appeared to be the best way tD raise the needed funds. He pointed out that this tax would be widely distri- huted and that thousands of colOred peo- pie, who would not be reached by any other levy, would pay their share.
 = DicksOn's Statement
 His statement follows in full: 'The policemen and firemen are public em- ployes. From year to year they have allbealed to their employers, the public, though their representatives, the city commission, for a salary and wage that weuld enable them to rear their families insrespectibility, to educate their chil- dren and deport themselves in keeping with the dignity of their city.
 STherefore in order to do this they ask for an increase in salaries of ap- prpximately $15 per month, which i'll the aggregate amounts to about $90,- OUU per year and, which must be raised or provided from source. The general public of the city, through the yafious clubs and organizations of all kinds, social, civic and labor organiza- tidns have indorsed the appeal of the poxicemen and firemen and have said to thS city commission We are looking tosyou to increase these salaries and we leaye it to you to get the revenue to do it with"
 4SThe city commission and the public arR under an added responsibility and obligation to these men, when they were plSced under the civil service law, the purpose being to place them in pro- fession that they could follow and their efficiency enhanced by years of ex pefience. We expect them to remain inx that profession in order to make more efficient and practical men. There fofe it is necessary and duty we owe tosthem to provide them with a salary thRt will justify them in following their pr8fession in the interest of the public.
 Need Increases
 ME1yery year the financial obligations of each department of the city Increases. Every department is asking for more mdney in order that it can meet its ne&ds and its obligations to the public. We need increased budgets in every de partment this year, but our revenue will not permit of any appreciable increase a131where to say nothing of increasing tkE policemen and firemen's salaries frxfuf the available revenue. To raise approximately $100,00O for this pur- pose, means that we have not only got toSraise it this year, but it must be for future years and be permanent. We shonld meet this problem and solve It insa most full and helpful way to these mSa. The conditions warrant 1t and require it.
 ST am for raising this money through the levying of a one-cent tax on gaso- lile. I am for this tax because 1t seEms to be the most equitable and fair tax to all alike and car" even be so widely and equally distributed that the cof6red population owning automobiles wa pay their proper portion, And
 IA l. hUrVt ftrI and burdensome than any other tax that can be levied. I believe the levying of this tax is sound as revenue .produc- ing measure even though the policemen and firemen's salary situation was not involved but more so since it is in- vdlyed and solved.
 -.The principle of levying this kind of~a tax has been recognized and es, tablished by our state and also one ot our large cities, Montgomery. We all kuow that under the state tax and the way it is derived, Jefferson county gets scarcely any and Birmingham none of this tax. If it is question of levying ofssthis tax to be use for the mainten- Rnee and upkeep of streets and high ways that can be done just as well here bxSprOviding that this tax shall be used foE this purpose and sufficient funds be@transferred from the street depart ment in lieu of the gasoline tax to take care of the salary increases. un- iierstand the revenue from this one-cent tax would be just about enough to take care of the salaries with probably lit tie more which could be used to put on . few additional men which are badly needed. This appears to me to be the
 MrmVENuUn