Minutes 07/14/1953 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1: TUESDAY JULY 14.J 1953 You l:now the opposition to a sales tDx, both from the people and from the merchants. It comes from the merchants because they know it affects their sales; for the same reason the motion picture exhibitors are opposed to a special sales ta~ on their merchandise. We will be glad to supplement this letter as to 2..r~l information that you may desire, or to appear before you at any meeting if such appearance is requested. We respectfully ask you to give us some relief from our ruinous "gross receipts tax" of $10.90 for that is what tl;e so called "ac1':lission tc.."::." adds up to in our business. ~ I am sendiTh:3 a copy of this letter to each of the JOC;mbcrs of the city commission. Ver" truly" 'Fours J u' Rives S. Brown This is a personal appeal to you, earnestly requesting your action in eliminating the unfair and discr:L'1J.inatory 10 per cent tax on moyie admissio:ns. 1- i~ i Perhaps a little personal background is in order, so briefly; I came to Martinsville six years ago and every cent that I hO.ve been able to accwnulate in 25: years of show business is imrested in MartinsYille, I have three children in Martinsville schools, am a merooer of Lions and ELks Clubs, a registered voter, and try to do my part in civic affairs. Three YBars ago I build a modest home hore, which I am cUI'"l:'ently tr7ing to pay for, and on 'which I pay all ta.~es that are applicable. My only source of j.ncome is from the operation of the Rives and Rex Theatres and, of course, this income is in direct proportion to the volume of business enjoyed by these theatres. Frankly, under present conditions, I find it very difficult to meet my personal obligations--to put some aside fo:- a :-ainy day is indeed out of the question. ,- I have fifteen employees in the Rives and Rex Theatres, and I know that they are experienciD.g the same c.ifficulties that I am in maldng their income cover the cost of living. Althr:1.:.gh our payroll costs have doubled, we are unable to pay wages which will meet the increased cost of present day living. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a jump of 90.8 per cent in living costs from 1939-1952; such items as food goir~ up 133.2 per cent, rent 42.4 per cent, fuel 47.6 per cent to siGht a few; all this is the face of d:L'Tlinishing income for my employees and nrrself. As to the theatre operation, the Exh".bitors Digest reports that the cost has increased 98.9 per cent (example - local novispaper ildvertising has increased twice in the last '.rear and a hali, llOlt'rer light and water has increased 10 per cent in the last thirty day-s, film cost up 25 per cent etc.) from 1940- 1952, and yet here in Martinsville our basic aclJ;15.ssion price is the sarr:e tcday as it was in 19ho. To make matters worse, show business is not enjoying the attendance that it did two years ago. Tax free TV, tax free drive-in theatres and other activities haye made serious inroads in conventional theatre 2.ttendance.