The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-29
SEN

OEN II T.
At the beginning OF the Session OF
the Senate Yesterday Rev. S. G. Hatch
CIR. OF Centenary Methodist Church, Of
fcrcd prayer.
on motion of Senator Folkes. Of
Richmond city, the Richmond Manchcs-
ter consolidation bill was relieved of
the constitutional readings and passed
finally. The vote was unanimous.
Secretary owen brought a message
from Governor Swanson presenting the
report of the Jamestown Exposition
Commission as to its receipts and con-
illusions.
When the Fletcher tax equalization
bill came up az the special order Of
the day. Senator STROBE resumed his
argument of Thursday. severely criti-
cizing It, He was violently opposed to
putting the revisionary power into the
hands of single person. He wished
enough men on commission or board,
with sufficient power to Investigate the
situation. The present plan of the
Fletcher bill made the Auditors power
too arbitrary. he thought.
senator Elan of Brunswick. inter-
rupted to ask Senator STROBE II II were
not better to conserve his elouuencc
snd prepare a bill that did not contain
tho defects to which he objected, rath-
or than to criticize bill that con-
tanned the best efforts OF the Finance
Committee.
Continuing. Senator strobe said that
he had right to criticize He asked
IL any other State had ever had such
plan of tax equalization.
Frankly, Senator Fletcher said he
did not know that any other State had.
AT the present, Senator STROBE went
on to say. segregation would not be
available. and he had rather wait
TWO years than adopt the Fletcher bill
rs It stood. He wished to know why
the Finance Committee had not recon-
equalization.
Temporary Measure.
He was interrupted by Senator Hal
sey. of Lynchburg. who stated that
the committee had thought of propos-
sidcred well drawn bill TO that effect.
Though some were inclined to favor
board. the committee thought 1t
would be impracticable TO do any good
as to this years assessment with a
board. The Fletcher bill is a tempo
rary measure. ne said, and is designed
10 cover the needs OF the present mo-
mcnt
In reply TO one OF the structures OF
Senator STROBE, Senator Keczell said
that the theory OF the Finance Com
mittee had not been opposed 10 the
idea that there is small difference In
county assessments. No person or the
outside is so well qualifcd as the com
potent local assessor when 1t comes &c
the question OF the relative land val.
ues of a. 3 or c in his county. In
the average of county assessments
there is bound 10 be substantial equity
senator STROBE went on to attack III.
bill on the line OF argument that ii
worked great hardship on the aSricul-
tural class of the State. 1t left out tho
public service corporations. but II was
bearing down heavily on the farmers.
Interrupting. Senator Sale, OF Nor
folk city, said that the Senator from
Amherst was not acting on the facts
possessed by the Finance Committee
The whole question had been consid-
cred in all its phases by the Finance
Committee. and 1t Is not the purpose OF
that committee to shift the burden on
the farmers. Cities and towns are in
cluded in the bill, just as we'll as the
country Public service corporations
had been considered, too.
Defends Finance Committee.
Coming vigorously TO the defense o.
the Finance Committee, Senator Kee-
zell wanted to know If Senator Strobe
wished TO embody regulations concern
ing eight or ten different kinds of taxes
In one bill. The Fletcher bill. lie pro-
tested. deals exclusively with land
The Finance committee has introduced
other bills dealing with various other
ramiiications of the tax problem a
committee. he said, was drawing up q
bill dealing with the equalization OF
personal property taxes He wondered
if any plan could be evolved in the
mind of man that would suit Senator
Strobe The Finance Committee had
done the best it could
The State Corporation Commission
came next in the critical analysis OF
SeDator STROBE The idea had gotten
out that the commission had made the
railroads pay heavily 1T was not borne
out by the facts The cost of state
railroads was not less than $4,000 a
mile, and yet the commission had as
scsscd the same property at about
$4,000 a mile.
Senator Keezell said that, If neces-
sary. he would vote for the Holland
amendment. 1t might be a safeguard
against radical action. He thought 1t
however unnecessary, for he believed
that 1t would be dangerous 70 give the
revisory mower to the Auditors office.
Replying to the speeches of Senator,
STROBE and Noel, he said that both OF
than had the wrong idea as to the ia
bles on which they had based their es'
Inmates of the financial showing of tht
counties. The tables dealt wholly witt
land values, and these Senators nae
made wonderful discovery that
''flfth grade schoolboy could tell al
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