The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-12-30
IN His Biennial and First
Report "a the State
Leglslatnre
NEW LAWS ARE ASKED + /.
So as to Raise More Rev
enue Especially as an
Inheritance Tax

State FAX Commissioned Albert b
White. In his biennial report, the last
he VIII make while occupant of the
ONCE he now hoids, defends the OF
nee which he will vacate on the 1st
of January against charges which he
terms false accusations, = states that
the work of the department 1usti1ies
its existence, and suggests revenue
measures, which. . he says, s.sare
submitted as propositions for what
they may be worth. =
The report is preliminary publi=
cation without number of statisti-
cal tables, which viii he appended
later, but IT is an interesting docu-
ment. fairly alive with strong senten-
-ces In discussing the new tax Laws,
their enemies and their friends.
The Legislative recommendation
made by Tax Commissioner White,
he states, are based upon practical
workings OF the tax laws, and while
some are more essential than others
it has been the aim not to propose
too much.
Need More Revenue.
Among the revenue suggestions
made by the present tax Commission
err is an amendment to the inheri-
tance laws OF the state, stating that
these laws can be so amended SO as
to Increase materially the revenue
from this sources The present ek-
emption of $4,000 provided for linz
cal descendants, the tax commission
er thinks too large. The report also
suggests that statute be enacted pro
viding that 3 per cent. of the amount
placed to the credit Of the counties,
districts and municipalities of the
taxes collected through the auditors
Office from the property Of public SER
vice corporations. be placed to the
credit of the state Tund; that nota-
ries public be appointed for a fixed
period only with reasonable fee for
each commission; that tax be inn
posed upon certain writings and in
struments admitted TO record in the
ofice of the county clerk OF the sew
eral counties, and an increase OF the
tax on retail liquor license TO $1,-
900 annually.
Among other recommendation af-
GectIng the license laws Of the state,
the tax commissioners suggests the
enactment OF legislation authorizing
the assessor, in cases where a per-
son fails to return his property for
taxation. to double the assessment OF
the previous year; to enact law
providing that the true consideration
be stated in every deed or convey
ance; that the law relating to the
tax be amended so as to
provide that the employers OF labor
should disclose the names Of employ
es to the assessor; that assessors he
provided with an ONCE deputy and
the Legislature provide that the fsca.
year OF counties, school districts and
begin at The same
time.
TlS. Department Needed.
In the beginning OF his report. Tax
Commissioner White states that the
office of state commissioner was Gre
ated by the legislature of 1904 and
1t was made the duty OF that ohicer
TO We ludL tu6 laws AS5uA"bAA5 Ss7S@sA
tIon are faithfully enforced.
''The creation of an official head
to the taxing system of the state was
an innovation" says the official, tbut
time has demonstrated beyond cavil,
the necessity for such and the Wis
dom OF the legislature in creating the
once
In his opening remarks the tax
commissioner states that no person.
who believes in organized govern
ment, should object to the payment
of taxes, because without taxes there
could be no government.
1.-THE reason every person does not
willingly contribute his share of the
tax burdens" says the tax commits
sioher, Is because OF the, prevailtng
belief that Others are not contributing
their share. There Is no imperative
constitutional or Legislative require
ment that taxation shall be exactly.
equal or exactly uniform. IG there
were. operations OF government