The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-28

agreed to, as was one by Mr.. Kemper.
making the law not apply to roads
nuiit under state or special road laws.
The bill was then passed. 81 to 1s.
Mr. Banks opposed tho Senate bill
iorbidding hypnotizing or mesmeriz-
ing save BY regular physicians. He
said 1t Is science practiced by emil
nent people every day.
Mr. Cox favored tho bill. saying It
Is to protect boys and young men who
might be induced TO so on the stago
and have their minds enkened by
being hynotized.
Mr.. Watts said that hypnotizinE will
cure bad habits and avoid anestehtics
in operations.
Such practices we're condemned by
DR.. II. U. Stephenson, who favored the
bill
1t was passed. 90 to IT.
Tax Bill UP Again.
At o'clock the Byrd Tax Com
mission bill came UP as n special order
Tho Speaker took the floor and occu-
pied II nearly until time for vacating
tho chair. He said that tho former
Dill mad conferred too much power On
one man. in tho opinion of many mem
bers. So he had changed its provisions
to make the commission consist OF
three men-the State Accountant, the
Assessor OF Mineral Lands. aud COM
missioner to be appointed by the Gov
ernor. The ex-onicio members had
been stricken out. Inasmuch as two
of the members are already employed
byAthc State. there would be only one
atH' tional salary.
The duties of this commission, he
proceeded. wouLd be largely advisory.
The proceedings under 1t would be
decided by courts at the homes of the
parties affected.
Details OF Valuations.
It had been L. question, continued
Speaker Byrd, of how TO arrive ut a.
general average in the matter of tax
equalization.
No individual assessment could be
touched, he explained, by the Tas
Commission. This body would. aftor
diiigent inquiry. determine what IT
believed to be fair average for each
class of property in each locality. Any
changes must De made by order OF the
court. Then the commissioners OF the
revenue must raisc the assessments in
accordance with their own Judgment
Speaking frankly. Mr. Byrd eaid this
bill is principally moral and adj
vsory affair. Its principal effect
would be to give backbone to local
assessing officers BY permitting them
10 use the power Of the state az an
excuse for doing their duty.
Automatic .Adjustment.
An automatic plan had been pro-
vided, pursued Mr.. Byrd, for reducing
the rate of taxation in proportion as
the assessment is Increased As a
result of criticism TO the effect that
this plan would not care for the nat
urai increases in values, system
had been devised TO secure the aver
ages of normal increment SO az TO de-
terminc what amounts should be added
from year to year.
Turning to the constitutional question,
he said that no progressive move is
made unless some point of this nature
is raised. Willie the Legislator no
knew, cannot delegate it's powers Of
taxation, 1t may require its officials
10 do administrative acts. In this
way he proposed 10 get at the situa-
ton.
As practical illustration, he said
that the assessed value of the personal
property in the state rs $685., 900. 900.
Supposing that its full value Is placed
at s6i3,00c.o0o. the State tax rate
would be automatically reduced from
So cents on the 500 to II 40 cents.
In west Virginia there had been a
reduction from IS cents to IL cents.
The state Accountant had been made