The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-15
CHAMBER FAvORS
BYRD'S TAX PLAN
White Segregation Bill Charac-
terized as Radical and
Revolutionary.
WOULD BANKRUPT CITIES
lack of Equal Assessment
Throughout State Is Roundly
Condemned.

Approving as eminently just and de-
sirable for the best interests OF the
entire State. the Byrd plan for equal
iSation of taxes, and as earnestly op-
posing the White plan for segregation
of taxes az most radical and fraught
with incalcuable danger. the Board OF
Directors of the Chamber of Commerce
yesterday approved the report of the
Chamber CommIetce on Legislation,
and petitioned tho General Assembly to
adopt the Byrd mca sure and to reject
the segregation bill.
BY request OF the Chamber, Richard
Evelyn Byrd. patron or the cquaiiza-
tion bill. addressed the BOARD, explain
Ing In convincing manner the provis-
ions of the plan he proposes. Pcyton
Giles. chairman of the Committee on
Lesisla ton. presented the unanimous
report of that committee indorsing the
Byrd bill In Its amended form, and
proposing that the Chamber notify
each mercantile organization In Vir-
Sinia Of tho action taken with the
reasons therefor. Gross injustice and
inequality IN the present system or
| taxation. where each county, city or
town Is left TO make its own assess
inent, was reported. the practice OF
making nominal assessments in some
counties having been continued Until
thirty four counties now draw from
the State Treasury $4,000 moro than
they contribute. many OF these tax
lodging counties being among the
richest in tho State.
Nuke Cities Iusolvcnt.
Continuation of this policy will force
the cities and counties now auvins
fat IN {
TO meet this unfair practice. and to
meet the currnt expenses. cities would
then be forced to double or triple their
local rates Of taxes, making the mp
pearance to the outside comnGrcial
world OF an Unfortunately high levy, al
though based on absurdiy small valua
lions. tending TO prevent capital from
seeking investment wncrc such rates
of taxation were charged.
Mr. Giles reported that from tho
study which had been given 10 the
White plan OF segregation OF taxes
some OF the provisions would cost
Richmond In loss of annual revenue
S7o9.64O, and the policy OF the measure
would tend to throw the principal
cities of the State into insolvency.
Resolutions were adopted by the
board of directors OF tho chamber re-
viewing the situation presented by the
report OF the subcommittee. setting
forth tho lack OF uniformity and super
vision OF assessments. as result, OF
which some counties escape their just
proportion of taxation. After review
ing the proposed Byrd equalization
bill In some detail the resolutions con-
ciudc:
Text of Resolutions.
BIT It therefore resolved. That the
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
earnestly petition tho General Assem-
question as eminentiy just and dcslr-
to the welfare. progress and prosperity
OF the State at large, and in the end
to all OF it's communities whether their
interests be OF an agricultural, com
mcrcisi or industrial character: and
BE IL further resolved That It OPP
poses most earnestly the bill now pend
ing before the General Assembly
known as the segregation bin as q
radical, indeed a revolutiunnrr meas
IRE, frangnt with grave and meal
culablc danger and disaster not only
10 the cities Of the State, which cities
1t ruthlessly deprives OF an lndispen-
sable part OF their present sources OF
revenue. threatening them with lnsol-
vency, but In the end 1t menaccs dis
aster to the state TT large, which Is
so dependent upon the prosperity of the
cities for the necessary revenue to
meet the general expenses OF the gov
eminent; and therefore this chamber.
with greater earnestness, petitions the
General Assembly 10 reject the said
segregation bill"