t

«leli»,;
1 n&
'fe, aitivl
i'll'Sl,!!!,!
ffiS:
n sow
liloisiitltkl
li Ms,
'speilictm
tt jtcfc,
Hi;
t/imij
1 set Wci
ilors.
CISH PK
.sltlon
registered t»y more than 50 |)er.%ons who
crowded Into their meeting room In the
Hickory township fire hall Intent on blocking
the measure.
Members of the board ruefully admitted
later the action was unconditional and they
indicated no new attempt would be made to
revive it at this time. They added that they
knew of no substitute mea.sure which would
be offered in place of the Ill-fated amusement
tax. and said, "We'll Just have to get along
on what we have."
Opposition to the proposed amusement tax
was lead by Chris Lampros. owner of the
Hickory Drive-In; lATSE Local 101. and
owners of two golf courses and a recreation
enterprise. They u.sed newspapers, contacted
patrons and appeared In strength at the meeting
of the township supervisors. They reiterated
the biggest objection to the tax was Its
di.scriminatory nature. More than a score of
property owners told the board members that
they did not want an amusement tax.
Questioning the needs for funds, the property
owners told them they would rather see
a per capita tax levied against all residents
rather than imposition of the burden on the
enterprises alone.
Following the scrapping of the proposed
tax, the businessmen published an open letter
in newspapers to thank residents of the
township for the wonderful support during
the controvery and to congratulate the township
supervisors for not adopting the proposed
local amusement tax.
Brownsille, Pa., Rescin(ds
10 Per Cent Ticket Tax
BROWNSVILLE, PA. — Council members
rescinded this city's amusement tax last week
after theatre owners threatened to close their
houses in February. Appearing before the
Brownsville council were owners, projectionists
and other business representatives. Officials
of the Fayette Amusement Co., operator of the
Brownsville theatres, said the theatre would
have to be clo.sed and employes laid off unless
they were relieved of the 10 per cent amusement
levy. They had staged an active campaign
all year to have the tax removed.
About two months ago Brownsville entered
a suit to collect amu.sement taxes from the
Fayette Amu.sement Co's Plaza, estimating
that from April to the end of September the
theatre owed the political subdivision $2,912.11.
The exhibitors said that the two other local
theatres had been closed for a number of
months, mostly as a result of the local 10
per cent amusement tax and the federal tax
of 20 per cent.
Tax Removal Plea Is Made
By Washington Showmen
WASHINGTON, PA.—More than a week
ago city council readjusted its 1953 budget
ordinance and cut anticipated revenue from
the city's 10 per cent amusement tax in half.
from 130000 to I15XXI0„ ThU wan not
factory to William Ba«le. owner of the Baale
Theatre here, and he returned to ciijr father*
with an urxent plea for relief. With reprewntatlven
of Warner-i" SUte and WaAhln«-
U)n Theatre^ and the Halllday BowUxiu Center.
Ba.^le pleaded that the amuM-mrnt lax.
which ha.^ been In effect here for the paat
five years, be rciclndcd for at least next year.
He .said that theatrci had to have complete
relief from the tax In order to remain In
baslness.
"We have our back.i to the wail and need
complete relief from the Lax at Iea.st next
year. If our bu.slnes.s plcts up. and we anticipate
this theatre slump will end M)on. well
be glad to pay the tax again. But aa long ai
buslne.ss Ls as bad as It Is. we have to have
more help from you. " Ba-sle told Washington
councllmcn.
A spokesman for projectlonlsti said that
union members realized the slump in the
motion picture busln&v; and had not requested
any pay increase for the last four years from
management. Washington council Is reconsidering
the matter at budget sessions.
MEADVILLE. PA— Amu.sement admission
taxes are In the MeadvlUe city budget for
$26,000 next year, the same amount which
was figured to be collected in 1952. City
council's ordinance which renews the amusement
tax for another year, will be presented
on third and final reading December 30. according
to G. Stanley Maxwell, city clerk.
TORONTO. OHIO—The two theatres In thu
Jefferson county city of 7.500 closed for good
this week. Manos Enterprises directors said
that a city admission tax has made both
theatres unprofitable.
BUTLER. PA—The township of Penn.
Butler county, has enacted a 5 per cent admi.ssion
tax. effective on January 1. The
levy is not all-inclusive, according to W. J.
Mowry, president of the board of supervisors
of Penn township.
UNIONTOWN. PA.—The city of Unlontown
is renewing its amusement tax for the coming
year. Adoption of the budget is scheduled for
December 29. The amusement tax brought in
$43,865.61 In 1951 and dropped to $37^7637
this year, ending December 1.
MONONGAHELA. PA—City council will
drop its 4 per cent amusement tax and Increase
Its per capita tax from $3 to $4 per
year. The real estate tax of 14 mills will not
change.
NEW CASTLE. PA. — The toftTishlp of
Union board of supervisors is enacting a 10
per cent amusement tax. estimating that it
wUl yield $5,000 to 1953. School dLstrict of
Union township for the fiscal year ending
June 30 collected $6,602.91 in amusement
taxes.
McKEESPORT. PA.—City councU is renewing
its amusement tax for 1953. Final passage
of the new budget is scheduled for Decemljer
31.
^^^^,,cm\oxomcz December 20, 1952 N 43