Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-29
Road Tax on Automobiles.


ask that tax Of not less than $40 be
imposed on every owner of machines, the
tax so derived to be applied to road i'm
provement in addition to the funds which
are now provided by law. There are 1,2oO
or more machines in Virginia. By the
time this proposition is made to the gen
eral assembly there will be at least twice
as many.
In addition, tax Of $3.50 is proposed
on every machine that comes into the
state. Virginia owners of machines unan-
imously support the scheme.
Money now collected as registration
fee is covered into the state treasury for
general purposes.
Twenty-one couples-all but seven pairs
white-were married in this city Thanks
giving day. This is the largest number
of licenses issued in any one day. Bust
ness men declare the record shows that
prosperity is at hand. The groomsmen
are for the most part young men who
live here, earn moderate salaries and are
bent upon establishing homes for them
selves. The ages of the couples will
average less than twenty-six years for
men and women
Last winter the general assembly en-
acted law whereby teachers of the
state are to receive a pension after a
service of twenty-five years. The state
gives 5000 year to this fund. In order
that the teachers may receive one-half
the salaries paid to them at the time of
their retirement they are required to
pay 1 per cent year on account or the
pension fund.
This law makes il obligatory on the
teachers to pay up. Since they have
been made to feel the burden of this tax
they are beginning to express some dis
satisfaction
The law became operative at the be-
ginning of the session. Checks for sala-
ries surprised some of the teachers, as
they were of opinion that the tax was
TO be optional. They discovered that they
had made d mistake.
When the general assembly meets next
wear an amendment will be made to the
law Teachers who desire to withdraw
from the scheme will be allowed TO do so.
No Virginians in Cabinet.
Neither Representative Slemp nor Ma
tional Committeeman Alvah II. Martin
the cabinet of President Taft. Both pos
sess large business interests Should
either accept a place in the cabinet. If
offered to them. it would mean they
would make great sacrifices.
In the case of Mr.. Slemp it would mean
that another election would have to be
held in that district with the chances
favoring republican defeat Mr.. Slemp
is state chairman.
Mr. Martin is clerk of Norfolk county
and interested in large number of bust
ness ventures. Practically all his time is
needed for those interests.
He is the lone republican official in
Norfolk county. democrats voting for him
and retaining him III office against all
democratic aspirants. The county elects
democrats to the general assembly and
always gives majority for the national
and state democratic tickets. But Mr..
Martin wins at the same time.
Notes.
Societies, orders, industries and enter
prises, with which the late Joseph Bryan
was identified have organized to erect
a monument to his memory. commit
tee is named TO promote the project.
Richmond College. Baptist institution,
has succeeded in raising fund of $780,
600 in this city. and by so doing will re-
ceiye $4,000 from the American Educa-
tional Society of New York. This will
be added to $25o.OO0 raised throughout the
state to quadruple the work of the col
! lege.
The Methodist ministers of the state,
many given new assignments at the con-
ference held in Norfolk will enter on
their new work tomorrow. There were
four changes in this city.
Christmas shopping is on in dead ear
nest buyers making their selections al
this time and having them stored until
few days before Christmas The mer-
! chants declare that the buyers are select
ing fine quality OF goods and that there
is much more money in circulation than
was expected after the panic.
Educators of the state are to raise a
monument to the late DR.. w. H. Ruffner
| who took charge of the free schools i'm
mediately following the war, and who
managed to inaugurate a system that
| has proven SO helpful to the general pub
lie. He died the last week at an ad-
| vanced age.
| Col. James R. Cation Of Alexandria, here