The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-29
Makes Few Changes in
First Half of Appro-
priation Bill.
BITTER FIGHT ON
ROLLIN G STOCK
Members With Electric Railroads
in Their Counties Protest in
Vain Against Conference Re
port-Debate on Tax Com
mission Measure Not
Concluded.

Consideration OF half OF the general
appropriation bill was completed by
the Senate on yesterday. the end OF
the nrst year being reached. Most
OF the schedules went by withou.
change.
The annuity for the state Female
Normal school at Farmville was In
creased from $4,000 TO $4,000 a year.
1t was stated that this school Is being
most economically conducted, and is
running on q margin which would
render II helpless in case of an
emergency. An addition of $1,000 the
year was made 10 the annuity Of tho
negro normal school at Petersburg.
The salaries of the Dairy and Food
Commissioner and OF the Superintcnd
ent OF the State Epileptic Colony were
increased.
1t appeared that an amendment add
ing Il small sum for the purchase Of
hreproof cases and stacks for the State
Library was lost. because of the lack
of twenty votes. This Will prob
ably be rcconsidered.
Hot Debate in House.
II was only after heated debate in
the House OF Delegates that tho con-
ference committee report on the roll
Ing stock tax bill vas concurred IN,
although {, went through the Senate
without opposition. It leaves all the
rolling stock of electric railways TO
be collected by the cities which con-
tain their home Offices. as at present
even ii some OF the lines run into the
counties.
The night against this concession to
the cities, which are losing so heavily
through diversion Of the tax on roll
ing stock OF steam railroads. wac led
by Walter Tansill oliver, of Fairfax
Of
Mr.. Oliver was especially vehement,
saying that the representatives OF the
counties which contain electric roads
have aided in tho great victory" in
the passage OF the bin. only It APP
poared to he deserted oy those they
had deemed their friends. He went
so far to say that II the principle of
the original bill was right IL should
be applied 10 electric MS we'll na rtcam
railroads. and that he would prefer
that the whole scheme be Abandoned
Makes First Speech.
This was Endorsed by W. @. Parker
OF Portsmouth who surprised the
House BY making = forceful speech
the first effort on the floor during his
service OF several sessions. He told
how Richmond Will get the tax from
the rolling stock OF the Virginia
Railway and Power Company In Nor
folk and Portsmouth and surrounding
territory. as a result OF the purchase
by that road of the properties IN tina:
section.
But Judge Williams. OF tho confer
cncc committee, held the members in
line for the rcpor, by telling them
II they sent this matter back TO an
other conference. and caused dead
lock. the whole proposition would
probably be lost through delay. This
was very effective, and tile conference
40 TO IL.
Mr.. Page Elected Again.
For the second time during the ses-
sion Roosevelt Page was elected Sec
ond Auditor 'of Virginia II seems
that Mr. Page neglected to qualify
within thirty days after his election
as required by law. and. as he is
TO take Office tomorrow, It wa3 ncces-
sary 10 elect him. This was done YES
terday afternoon by the two houses.
The special committee appointed TO
consider the purchase BY the State
OF the Ford Hotel lot. now the prom
eTty of the city of Richmond, reported
in favor of such action at n meeting
held yesterday morning. 1t determined
that the State needs n new building.
especially to keep the contents of The
State Library safe from destruction bv
iirf, with which It s now constantly
threatened.
Consider Tux But.
NO conclusion was reached yester-
day in tn c House on the debate
on the State Tax Commission bin. al
though 1t Is quite likely to come to
vote to-day. Speaker Byrd accented
amendments offered by Mr.. Burt. max
Ing the third commissioner elective
BIZ the General Assembly instead Of
appointivc by the Governor.
Hugh a. White, of Rockbridge, de-
livered his address against the meas
ure. He said it was impracticabIe
unnecessary and unconstitutional. No
commission, ne insisted Is needed 10
equalize real estate. since his class
Of property is not to he a assessed until
1915. Then he did not believe tha
plan was workable
Judge Martin Williams began his adj
dress in opposition. but did NOT con.
ciude' 1t. He took the ground that
feassessment must be the goal under
the bill. and pointed out WHY. in his
torily accomplished by means of the
methods laid down in the bill
;. II. Love, of Lnncnburg. announced
mat he was converted 10 the measure
and that he would vote Tor II.
Measures Enacted.
the Jordan Byrd bills. designed n
protect and to purge the registration
BOOKS, were passed So We're the bills
abolishlng the professional Jurors OF
the State by making It unlawful for
any person to serve as Juror moro
than one term In any year: barring
person convicted of driving an n,,to.
mobile while under, the influence OF
liquor srom again running ma.
chine Toy three years; Increasing
salaries Of judges OF the Suprcns
Court to $4,000 the Year
Tho House also passed the Milsteod-
Old bill. regulating investment ,om-
CONTINUED en- Third Page.3 -