The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-30
Folkes, Hart and Hol-
land Discourse on
Fletcher Bill.
WOULD LEVY TAX
ON MINERAL LAND
Labor Laws Debated Before
House Communicable New
Bills After February &c.
Would Prevent Contracts
by Directors for Hire
of Convicts.

Continuing tho long drawn out, but
apparently most valuable discussion OF
tho Fletcher tax equalization bill,
which Is an important part of the great
subject of state finances, by far the
biggest issue before the Legislature
the Senate yesterday listened to ad-
dresses on the subject by Senators
Tolkcs. Hart and Holland Tho House
was not In session.
Senator Fslkes urged that an ado
Gnate tax on mineral lands be included
In tho bill. and, In a forccfui speech on
tho proposition. he declared that he
would not vote for the Fletcher bill
until there ia new law taxing the
mineral wealth Of tho Commonwealth.
He declined to receive suggestions toI
tho effect that this could be handled
at some other time. saying that similar
delays had killed needed legislation
along this line before previous General
Assemblies.
Tho Richmond Senator said he be-
lieVed that tho State has seen the last
erotten assessment" of real estate
and that the assessors who will do the
work this year have been or VIII be
influenced by the agitation on the sub
ject TO value property on a fair basis
Exprcas Bnrrooms.
Tho express companies. he added.
are tho greatest barrooms in tho
State. and. although tho taxes on sa-
looms had been Increased by the
FINANCE Committee. no adequate tax
had as yet been levied on those com
mon carriers.
Senator Holland OF the Finance
Committee, defended the Fletcher bill
In an address which was generally
,lN,l ~.
tho committee have given careful
thought and research. and he thinks
the measure produced covers the
ground so far az practicable a, this
time.
In an address which was filled with
satire. Senator Hart. of Roanoke. an
swcred tho speech of Senator Strobe
against the bill. He got good deal
of fun out OF the Senator's county
OF Amherst.
Senator Strodo frequently interrupt.
ed the speaker with questions, show.
ing his continued opposition. Other
Senator's were also persistent in their
requests for Information from those
who had the floor.
Limit New Bills.
Tho Senate passed resolution linz
!t!ng the time for the Introduction OF
new bills to February 26. The reason
for this Is that tho time of members
will after that date be required on
the floor, instead Of in committee
rooms.
The House joint resolution allowing
meteorological exhibit In Capitol
Square Park was passed BY the SEN
ate, but was amended by placing the
kiosk northwest of the Washington
Monument instead of east Of that me-
,noriai.
Senator Foikes explained that he
and his confcrces had the consent and
approval OF Governor Mann on
tho proposition to establish Gov
crnor's council. and that it would be
withdrawn should it not have Judss
Menn's appreciation.
Child Labor Hearing. -.
Those who favor amendments 10 the
present laws regulating female ana
child labor appeared yesterday after
noon before the House Committee on
Gcncral Laws. Captain West. of Bed
ford. desires bill passed allowing
contracts to be made between em-
ployers and operatives by which the
working women may labor for half
an hour longer five days in the week,
thus earning half-holiday on Satur-
day.
The measure proposed by Mr.. Steb-
bins, OF Halifax, covers tho same
point, and in addition would allow
those who work in prizeries and SINH
lar works for rchandling loose leaf
tobacco to work not exceeding seven.
ty-two hours q week during the five
months busy season in the tobacco in
dustry.
Eugene Withcrs. OF Dylville. rep
resentin6 the Danville knitting Mills.
appeared before the committee and
stated that the change was desired by
the operatives The employers, no
said. prefer the straight tcn-hour sys-
tom. but want the employees to be
satisfied.
His people. he said. were willing to
agree that If tho women and girls who
work in5the mill can be induced to be-
licvc that 1t is better for them to work
ton hours every day than to work
overtime on five days and get holt
day on Saturday, they would not ask
for the passage of the bill. Hc cx-
planned that there was no desire to
increase the total number of hours In
the week but that tho people who
work want the hours rearranged
Other representatives Iof tho mills
appeared before the committee for the
bills, and letters were read fro:., many
sources,
Working mt Might.
For his BILL Mr. Stebbins explained
that there is loss If loose leaf TOBACCO
at certain stages is not handled quick
ly He would not make the eNcep.
ton apply to tobacco factories. only
to prizerlcs and similar institutions.
In his townsof South Boston IT has
been tho custom to have employees
work until o'clock at night three
nights In the week during the months
or October to February, They are
paid by the hour.
Those who oppose the bill occupied
but short time, Labor Commissioner
,poherty and Mr.. Casey OF the COM
mittee, took the position that5an
lmendmont to tho law would be u
AN 100 ffSnntinlled on Fourth I2aEe.l aN