The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-29
TAX COMMISSIONS SPLENDID WORK.

TAX COMMISSIONS SPLENDID WORK.
With the possible exception of the
institution of the Corporal ton Commits :
sion. no piece OF legislation since the
war promises so much for the welfare
Of Virginia as the general scheme of
tax reform made public yesterday by
the Tax Commission OF Virginia.
For two years before the Tax Com
mission was formed The Times Dispatc
urged the need of immediate reforrna-
ton of the tax laws and pointed cut
many of the inequalities and iniustices
which have been specifically named and
elaborated by DR.. Douglas $ Freeman
In his able and exhaustive report
When the bill for the Tax Commission
was before the Legislature The Times
Dispatch urged that Speaker Byrd he
made member OF the commission. and
1t was largely in response TO this pa.
pers expressions that Speaker Byrd
permitted his name to be considered +,
After the commission was organized
Or. Freeman was chosen as The expert
TO whose charge the duty OF collect
ins and tabulating the statistics was
especially nsrus,ed The Times-Dis.
patch cordially ana unreservedIy COM
mended the selection of DR.. Freeman.
and it feels that by his rcpor, its be-
lief i'll his capacity and fitness has been
Rbundantly justified.
Altogether the commission has per-
FORMED a splendid service TO the State.
Given information, the people of vir-
slnia, through their Legislature. are
ready and willing 10 strike out those
unlntcndcd crudites and gross inc
qualities that dlsngurc and in large
measure destroy the system of taxa
tion in this State.
Al later time we shall discuss this
report in detail 1t is now sufficient
to say that the principle Of UNIFORM
assessment of land, If enforced. viii
firike at once from the people of Vir-
Einia widespread and heavy burden
of injustice
Why, for example should lands no
assessed at 30 per cent of their mar
ket value in Richmond and at 10 per
cent. of their market value In some Of
the counties? Why indeed when such
differences have the effcct of making
the citizens OF Richmond pay nine tim.s
ss much for the support of tho state
government as their fellow citizens In
other parts OF Virginia?
The present taxation laws are a
tangled and unsightly growth. we
cannot leap 10 perfection: little by little
unfair burdens must be removed. dark
corners lighted up, crooked paths made
straight, and the cost OF government
fairly distributed
70 clear away the jungle Of our
present tax laws is a painful and by
no means swift or easy process. but
there is In tho report OF The commits
sion the sure promise that this Will h.
done
Many Of the principles of taxation
are still unknown or rather uncomprc
hended. In fewa states has this lack
Of comprehension SEEN more general or
more harmful than in Virginia Al
least We now know. in the light OF this
report how far we are from perfect
method That knowledge can set Viz.
Elnia OF the way to lasting reform. ana
that way Virginia must 20. If ina
coming Legislature should do nothing
csc but put into effect the spirit that
has animated the Tax Commission. Il
would sisnaiize Itself as the mos, pro-
sfessive Legislature Virginia has hnd
since the war