The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-12
.
GDvERNOR STANDS
FOR TAX. Reform
Sends Strong Message Deal
ing With a Giaring
Situation
] COMMENDS WORK
OF TAX COMMISSION
Urges Prompt and Favorable
Action On Part OF the
Assembly On Report
of the Commission

pointed out In the Auditors report.
emphasized in the report OF the Lax
, Commission, and again powerfully
presented by Speaker BYRD In ms
speech Tuesday night before the DEM
ccratic caucus, have been the SUD
5scf of general discussion. and the
t.trong recomme n stion of the Cover
nor contained in mis- special message
that Immediate action be taken TO
correct the injustices and ineQua1-
tics that exist, make Ii certain that
early action OF "a favorable nature
Will he taken by the Assembly.
Speaker Byrd will shortly introduce
measure carrying into effect the
commission recommendations
--Fiae Governor special message
transmitting the report Of the COM
-yfssss4efs was read AT the close OF yes
terday's session in both houses, The
Governor points out that there has
been little system In the collection
none in the matter of assessments.
OF public revenues and absolutely
the inequalities existing having caused
ttr law TO fall into disrepute.'
The Governor takes occasion TO re-
fer to the splendid work of Dr. Doug
lass Freeman. secretary of the Tax
Commission.
Text Of Message.
The message is as follows:
To the General Assembly OF Virginia:
Herewith l transmit to the Assem-
bly, the report of the Special Tax
Commission, appointed under the pro-
visions OF chapter 147. Acts of 1910.
In forwarding this report / wish
To call attention To the Importance
OF the work undertaken by this COM
mission and to IA few of the results
which may be expected to follow the
adoption of its recommendations.
Heretofore there has been little
system in the collection of the pub
lie revenue. as occasion has de-
manded and as new revenue was re-
CURED, our tax laws have been
changed from time 10 time: new taxes
have been added: new sources of
revenue have been discovered; class
taxes have been Increased, But there
has been no general policy pursued
In these extensions OF our revenue
laws. and there has been NJ con-
sistent plan developed. AS u result
our Laws are at present In great
confusion; many taxes are unduiy
heavy III comparison with others In
some instances double taxes have
been levied; the whole code Is cha
otto, confused and unyatisfactory.
Moreover, this careless treatment of
our tax laws has been responsible
for many OF the financial difficulties
under which the treasury OF the
Commonwealth has labored during
recent yeara Our laws have been so
uncertain In their operation and 80
conflicting In their character that II
has been impossible to estimate with
any degree of accuracy the probable
receipts of the State.
In addition our tax laws have fall
EN- into public disrepute. Our people
have realized the condition of our
code and have felt that our laws
ksrs unjust and discriminating IN
character. unreasonable and I'M
wieidy In practice There il a wide
spread, indeed. Statewide clamor
for comprehensive and thorough
@~~F revision of our assessment laws
II was to meet this just demand
and to correct these depiorable con-
aitions that the Assembly created a
Special Tax Commission at It's last
session. This commission. of which
4 have had the honor to be chair
man. has endeavored 10 discharge its
u full! probation -scf the
Importance OF the work under taken
and In an earnest desire to K1se To
the Assembly recommendations
which would make possible general
and satisfactory revision of the law.
! unhesitAtinSiy recommend the fin
ished work of the commission TO the
favorable consideration of the Gen
eral Assembly and believe that its
adoption at the present session OF your
honorable body Will be at once "A
great contribution to the welfare of
w the people and marked step to-
ward the establishment OF stable
equilibrium in the financial affairs OF
the Commonwealth.
Permanent Conanimsfon.
1 wish especially To emphasize the
for the creation OF a permanent tax
commission which shall have power
to eQualize assessments. This recon-
mendation the commission regards
~ fundamental. Heretofore, we have
had no central administration In mat :
tiers OF taxation and have left to
local officers. responsible to the local
electorate, the collection OF about 40
per cent. of the revenue of the Com
---uannEa21tlss- The result has been Il
NJ, disregard. for the interests or the state
and an Inequality In matters of tax
alton which II not creditable to the
good name OF Virginia. The COM
mission made an exhaustive examina-
ton Of the systems OF equalization
In use In other States and reached
the conclusion that system OF
$50 hss4xosata4-s4,aa assAs lon such Is
In the report wns-tf1c
only system feasible at this time.
X the plan proposed by the COM
mission be enacted into law. the Com
monwealth, at small cost. can secure
the equalization OF real and personal
property Assessments and can give to
a every cittsen the assurance that he
y him. III ~ ht4tae Any, Ma
same rate and on the same hasis az
othar cfttzens. / believe no plan can
BE- found more productive OF good,
J and requiring 50 small an outlay of
public funds, as that proposed by the
commission,
rae restoration Of equality In tax
alton will make possible speedy re-
auckton IN the rate OF the State tax.
% this fheTe can be no doubt. That
bach 3 reduction II highly desirable
s need NOT point out to the Assem-
II My. a TAX rate Of twenty cents on
thA hundred dollars Valuation ID
II eAx1ly possible and win mean new
s@* fmmigrntion and additional capital To
IL COnmonwealth and new prosper
s 1tY for our peoDie.
Uns1Y Ae4tsa Des1rabIs.
I M19h - 1mpr6ss upon the Assem-
IL ~ ~ impQrtAnce Of Immediate fay-
Gahae act5on upon this report. Only
~ eoWspk enoetment can the Assem-
NJ h0pp ~ - the beneaita Of the
#ss 4B plna n aDeeapmAnt during this
~ utua As1Asr vrttt