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above amount be relieved, which the City Council did not do. The tax has never been paid, and
<br />~&r. Parker is now asking that the above amount with all interest and penalties thereon be re-
<br />lieved.
<br /> The State law makes no provision for a refund or reduction of taxes on property
<br />destroyed by fire ~fter the beginning of the ta~able year. It is optionsl with the City Council
<br />as to whether it will relieve taxes under such circumstances. I do not know of any case where
<br />it has heretofore been done. If the Council decides to relieve taxes under these circumstances
<br />Mr. Parker is entitled to relief. Just how many other people are similarly situated I am un-
<br />able to say, but the probability is that if taxes~' are relieved under such circumstances there
<br />
<br />will be many more requests.
<br />
<br />Yours very truly,
<br />
<br /> R. C. BABOLAY, City Attorney."
<br />
<br />On motion of Er. Maupin, the communication was referred to the City Manager.
<br />
<br /> NE~ BUSINESS
<br />
<br />$12.69 A re~3est wa~ =e~d ftom the City Collector that C. R. Welton, ~agent, be refunded $12.60,
<br />sp.ap~, paid in error on property on whi0h there was a l~vy of collection.
<br /> On motion of Mr. Brooks, a special appropriation of $12.60 was allowed to make the re-
<br /> fund, provided same is approved by the City Attorney.
<br /> A request was read from the City Collector for ~u additional appropriation of $125.00
<br />$t25.1 for stationery for her office.
<br /> On motion of Mr. Oast, a special appropriation of $125.O0 was allowed for same, and
<br />sp.ap~, by the following vote: Ayes-~ Brooks, Maupin, Mayc~ Oast, Stewart, 5,
<br />
<br /> A bill was received from J. Shirley Hope, State Game ,Warden, to amount of $10Y.50, for
<br /> services rendered in destroying ~3 tagless dogs @ $2.50 each.
<br /> On motion of Mr. Brooks, t~e T~swver was authorized to pay 'smme, out of fUnds on hand
<br /> from collection of Dog Ts~xes,
<br />
<br />The following co~unication was read from Lieut.
<br />
<br />President of City Council,
<br />~ity of Portsmouth,
<br />Portsmouth, Virginia.
<br />
<br /> Comdr. J. A. Byrne:
<br />
<br />-~15 June 1928.
<br />
<br />Sir:
<br />
<br /> Receipt is acknowledged of the l~tter from the clerk of the City Oounoit relative to the
<br />unfavorable action of the Oouncil on the Nava~ officers~ petition, to be exempt from the City
<br />automobile license tax. Personally I regret the action of the Council, although I appreciate,
<br />as stated in reference letter, the City ordinance provides~for such tax. Your action is very
<br />short sighted, although legal, and cannot do anygood, aud will do great harm to your City.
<br />I feel satisfied the business men of your community will agree with me in this.
<br />
<br /> In justice to your 0ity 7Gu feel that you must levy this tax. In justice to my fellow
<br />officers I must advise them a ~nst living in Portsmouth. Do not misunderstand me. 'My action
<br />is no~ vindictive. It is a question of dollars ana ~cents. ~It is cheaper to live elsewhere.
<br />Lieutenant R. R. Thompson reported for duty at the Yard today- aud in line with above, he has
<br />been advised by me to settle in No~folk.
<br />
<br />Yours truly,
<br />
<br /> J. A. BYRNE, Lieutenant Comdr.
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Brooks, the communication was received and filed.
<br />
<br /> A notice was read from the Atlantic Deeper Waterway Association of the Twen~y-~mr~t Annual
<br />Oonvention of sai~ Association to be held at Cape May, New Jersey, September 5-Sth, 192S.
<br /> On motion of Mr. Maupin, the communication was ordered to be filed.
<br />
<br /> O~ motion, the privilege of the floor was grsnted to ~r. Houston and Mr. Walker, repre-
<br />sentatives of the Industrial Commission, who asked that the City continue its appropriation of
<br />$2500.00 per year for the period of ~hree years to the Industrial 0ommission, and made state-
<br />ments as to the work of ~the said Commission.during the past three years.
<br />
<br />(Present J. O~ Dunford ~ud L. G. White)
<br />
<br /> ~r. B=~oks ,moved that an appropriation of~ $250~.O0 ~e:~ade for the Industrial Co~ui~sion
<br />for the~ ye~,r
<br /> Under the r~ule$, the said appropriation was l~id on the table u~til the aext regular meet-
<br />ing of Council.
<br /> ~r. Cast mo~ed that the City ~uager be authorized to report to the Counci~ how the
<br />$25~O.O0 csn be r~ised for this purpose.
<br />
<br />On motion, adjourned~
<br />
<br />
<br />
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