Evening star., 1948-02-01
Council Orders
Taxes Increased
In Alexandra
License Ordinance
Revised to 'Equolize'
levies on Business

Tax increases from $3.50 to $2.7S
on each 500 worth of real estate,
and from $3.50 to So per 500 on
tangible personal property were or
dered last night by the Alexandria
City Council.
At the same time, the council en-
acted a voluminous license ordinance
intended to "equaliZe" taxes on
everything from lightning rod agents
and psychologists to establish re-
tail stores
The levies are expected to produce
revenues sufficient to meet 1948 mu-
nicipal expenditures of more than
$4,000, 900. But City Manager Nicho-
las Colasanto said 1t would be i'm
possible to estimate the yield from
the various taxes.
Multiple Taxes Revised.
In adopting the ordinance on II.
censes, which will be issued by the
Alexandria commissioner ofrevenue.
the council shifted from an involved
system of multiple taxes about which
merchants complained. The ap-
proved schedule was recommended
by the councils Finance COMMITTEES
after an extensive study.
Considering the license ordinance
item by item in a three and one
half hour session, the council reached
its decisions harmoniously except in
one instance. This was with respect
to the section covering beer and wine
retailers.
Councilman John Ewald objected
strenuously to requiring these deal
ers to pay a fiat fee in addition
to the straight tax imposed on all
businesses on a basis Of gross re-
ceipts.
Tulloch Takes Issue.
Councilman John w. Tulloch took
issue with Mr.. Ewald, saying he
favored the maximum possible tax
on those permitted to sell beer and
wine. He added that he would be
happy If this business could bs
eliminated entirely from the city.
BY 4 to 2 vote, the two types
of tax were approved. Voting In
the negative with Mr.. Ewald was
Councilman r. Samuel Luckett.
The majority consisted Of Mr.. Tul-
loch, Charles l.. Nash. Vice Mayor
George Bender and Col. Everett A.
Hellmuth.
The ordinance provides a $50 as
sessment for each on-premises wine
and beer license for hotels. res
taurants and clubs, and $3.50 for
each off premises license.
Receipts Taxes Provided.
The new ordnance was adopted in
substance as indicated by the cour1.
Gil at meeting Tuesday. It pro.
vides gross receipts taxes on prin-
cipal classes of business, as follows:
!, Retail merchants, % cents for
each $l00 gross; wholesale / mer-
chants, 81 cents; professional, $l,03:
contractors, 80 cents; repair services,
20 cents; personal services (such as
barbers). 20 cents; business services,
20 cents, and amuSements, So cents.
The new taxes must be paid by
February %.
The council specifically exempted
retail gasoline dealers, manufac-
turers and merchants from paying
gross receipts levies on such part OF
their revenues constituted by direct
excise taxes of the Federal or Vir-
ginia governments.
One provision of the ordinance Is
intended to collect taxes from per-
sons and businesses having offices
elsewhere but doing business in
Alexandria. Council members gave
as an example architects with Of
fees in Washington, engaged IN
work within the city's corporate
limits.
Tax on Radio Stations.
A new levy imposed was one on
radio broadcasting stations within
the city. The rate will be 80 cents
on the 500 gross.
Among the occupations specified
for taxation are those of bootblack,
book agents, peddlers, piano tuners,
lightning rod agents and ticket
scalpers.
The council ordered 500 an
nual levy on every person en-
gagged in the business of buying
tickets to theatrical, athletic or
other performances, in block for
the purpose of reselling them at
a profit" Some members said they
weren't sure how this provision
could be enforced.
The usual 81 capitation tax was
renewed for all residents 81 years OF
age and older.
To Mayor. William T. wilkins.
who was 10 years old yesterday.
members of the council presented
a basket of flowers.
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