The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-14
Finance co m mittee
Files It's Report
in Senate. !.
TWO HOUSES HOLD
BRIEF SESSIONS
Canvass Of Votes Is Deferred.
Committee Unwilling to Take
Backward Step or to Present
Measure Which Would
Ban krupt Treasury.
Many New Bills.

TIoping to be spared the necessity
OF reporting a bin which would retard
the rapid progress which the state
has made during the past few years,
the Senate FINANCE Committee, In
report presented TO the Senate ycster-
day morning, says that 1t does not
believe 1t expcdlcnt or proper. If, in
decd, cont cmp1atcd by the Foikcs reso-
luton under which the recent ses-
sions Of the committee have been7leld,
that a bill ready for Intelligent action
could be presented at the opening OF
tho session OF the General Assembly.
The report frankly recognizes the
inabillty OF tho committee to comply
with the terms OF the resolution re-
quiring It ITO prepare the appropria-
tfon bill proper without increase OF
salary or annuity. that would not de-
crease the present appropriation for
these purposes, If framed 50 as to
carry no greater sums than are war.
ranted by the present Sources of reve-
nuc of the Commonwealth. 1t Is rec
ognizcd that With the present high
cost Of living. TO materially decrease
the appropriations of any of these
departments or institutions, or to re-
dnce the salaries OF the comparatively
few officials who are not protected by
riously cripple and cmbarrass many
or them.
increases Arc Ncccs.ary.
Tho recent careful and painstaking
Investigation into the needs OF tine
departments and institutions has con-
WINGED the committee that necessary
increases must be made which Will
amount in the aggregate to from
se75,oo0 10 100000 for the fiscal year
beginning March l.. 1910.
Besides. the committee says. much
more than this increase could be prof.
,tabiy expended. y large part Of this
g. for the care OF The insane !n the
present overcrowded hospitals. and for
relieving the congestion and proy.d- :
itit. more fucillties tyrcntovinss he
epileptic inbane into new quarters.
which must be provided.
In pursuance of it's conclusions the
committee has prepared a bill. not
introduced as measure. which is TO
be subject TO such revision as may,
seem good TO the House or as may be
warranted by the passage OF acts for
the increase Of tile public revenues.
Bills to this effect have been pre-
pared and will be report ed by the
committee. To pass the bill In its
present shape. says the committee IS
report, upon the estimated receipts
under existing laws for the fiscal year
ending February IS. 1911, would cause
Il. largo deficit The BIZ is that OF
the last session.
Senate Too Previous.
Short sessions were neld in both
houses yesterday, tho Senate being on
the job only fifteen minutes and the
House sforty-f1ve minutes The House
passed joint resolution providing
that the Assembly meet in joint ses-
sion at 1880 yesterday for the pur-
pose Of canvassing the votes for Gov
crnor and other State officials, but the
Senate adjourned before this measure
Was passed. and 1t will be necessary
to enact similar resolution to-day.
a Joint resolution passed the House
urging the city OF Richmond to main
tain the John Marshall home.
Important measures introduced in
the Senate We're: "A bill providing for
q tax commission. a bill allowing cities
and towns to spend money for good
roads outside their limits and q meas
ure to sprovide a. State Female Nor
NAL School at Lebanon, Russell county.
On the House side the most striking
legislation proposed was for tax
commission. by Mr.. Bell; a bill pro-
viding for commission to revise tho
Code OF the State, by Mr. Williams. OF
'
a Department Of Game and Inland
Fish; the subcommittee's primary bill.
and n measure aimed at the Standard
OIL Company and kindred organiza-
tions.
Senate Committees.
The Senate steering committee has
not yet completed Its selection of Sem
ate committees. They will be an
nounced to-day.
pn, sI>u Co., !
ant business OF the day was the pre-
sentation OF the printed report OF the
Senate Finance Committee, through its
chairman, Senator Keezell. This com.
mittee began its sessions in Rich
mond on December 13, and, with the
exception OF a recess for the holidays
worked hard on Its hearings and IL
formulating a report, until the day be,
fore the session of the General AS.
sembly began. Just what the com.
mittee would report no one knew, ant
the document was received with tn.
greatest interest. 3l
For the most p art, the members OF
the Legislature think the committee
acted wisely, considering the heavy
demands and the depleted condition
of the State Treasury, In not formll-
lating a bill which would take care OF
all the needs, when such a course
without corresponding Legislation de-
signed to increase revenues, woulC
have bankrupted the Treasury. its
action was equally wise, the members
ductions in appropriations and thus
taking a backward step in the marcf
OF progress Will, whichsthe Common
wealth has been keeping step for the
past few years 3.
- Sii {S MI 5------JT-- Tiff "a RES