The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-12-31

State Tax Commissioner Albert B.
White, in his biennial report. the last
he will make while occupant Of the
Office he now holds, defends the Of
fice which he will sacate ON the 1st
of January against charges which he
terms false accusations" states that
the work of the department justifies
FITS existence. and suggests revenue
measures. which, he says, care
submitted as propositions for what
they may be worth
The report is a preliminary publ
cation without number of statisti-
cal tables, which will he appended
later. but 1t 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
1t has been the aim not to propose
too much.
Need More Revenue.
Among the revenue suggestions
made by the present tax commissions
er is an amendment to the inherit
lance laws of the state. stating that
these laws can be so amended SO as
to Increase materially the revenue
from this source. The present ex-
emption of $4,000 provided for lin
cal descendants, the tax commission.
er thinks too large. The report also
suggests that a statute be enacted pro
viding that 5 per cent. of the amour.
placed to the credit of the counties,
districts aud 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 iund; that nota-
ries public be appointed for fixed
period only with reasonable fee for
each commission: that tax be inn
posed upon certain writings and In
strpments admitted TO record in the
office Of the county clerk of the sew
eral counties, and an increase OF the
tax on a retail liquor license to ST.
900 annually.
Among other recommendations af-
fecting the license laws of the state,
the tax commissioner suggests the
enactment of legislation authorizing
the assessor. in cases where a per-
fson 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
capitation tax be amended SO as to
provide that the employers of labor
should disclose the names of employ
es to the assessor; that assessors be
provided with an ofhce deputy, and
the Legislature provide that the fisca.
year of counties. school districts and
municipalities begin at the same
/ time.
The Department Needed.
/ In the beginning of his report, Tax
J! Commissioner White states that the
Office of state commissioner was Gre
ated by the legislature of 1904. and
lit was made the duty Of that officer
to see that the laws regulating taxa
Ition are faithfully enforced.
The creation of an Official head
TO the taxing system Of the state was
an innovation says the official, s.but
time has demonstrated, beyond cavil,
the necessity for Such and the wis.
dom of the legislature in creating the
office"
In his opening remarks the tas
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.
n The reason every person does MOI
willing contribute his share of this
tax burdens, >saysi me tax commits
sioner. SIS because Of sse prevailing
belief that others are not contributing
their share. There Is nd imperatiy;
constitutional or legislative require
ment that taxation shall be exactl,
lequal or exactly uniform. II Their
iwere, operations of government