The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-31
Much Opposition in Evi-
dence, De string
Segregation.
WOMAN'S COLLEGE
WINS A VICTORY
Senate Committee Makes Favor
able r Opponents of
/ Prohibition Given Hearing.
+, Byrd Consents to Three
Salaried Tax Commission
ers Instead Of One.

Discussion of tax reform in Virginia
was tho centre OF interest In the
Legislature yesterday, almost the en-
tire time OF the House session being
consumed In this debate. Judged by
aotual ground covered, 1t could be
said that no progress WIS made, but
In view OF the fact that the prescnta-
ton OF substitute precipitated the
entire question Of the advisability OF
the creation Of a State Tax Commits
sion. consideration OF the proposition
as e whole is we'll under way. one
opponent of the Byrd bill gave his
views at length. while another began
his remarks. yielding to g motion to
adjourn.
bfany members Of tho General Az
1embly, and great many people out
eide, regard the problem cf cQualiza-
ton OF taxes. and the remedies which
have been offered and which arc un-
der consideration. as the most I'm
portant matter OF the entIre session.
For days the Byrd bill has been
studded from one standpoint or anoth
er, and the actual debate has been
looked forward TO with interest. The
measure was originally sot for hear
ing last Thursday. but was thereafter
coatinued from day to day on motion
OF the patron, who desired all members
to formulate their vic@s
Have Three Members.
Dir. Byrd occupied the floor during
large part of yesterdays proceed
ings He said in the outset that he
wanted tho advice OF everybody in
constructive work. go that the finished
product should be the House of Dele
gates bill and no mans. He made no
objection to an important change Of
Tered by several inembers. which
would create a State Tax Commission
of three paid members, Instead of a
commission composed OF State officials
and one salar!ed man. He welcomed
any further amendments which would
help to build UP and strengthen tho
bill.
An important MODIFICATION Will be
made on Mr.. Byrds own motion. when
The time comes. providing for the
equalization OF taxes on railroads
along with those on all other prop
crty. This was TO meet objections to
the effect that it was not proposed to
assess railroad property at It's full
market value. and that corporations
would be the gamers to the loss of the
tax-paying public. These corporations
would. OF course, get the benefit Of
any resultant reduction In tax levies.
Prefer Segregation.
Headed by Hugh - White OF Rock
bridge. contingent in the House de.
eires the substitution IF segre CATION of
taxes instead OF a centralized equal
ization commission.
Mr. White offered a substitute for
tho Byrd bill In the form OF instruc-
ton TO the Committee on Finance to
prepare a segregation measure. In
reply to suggestion that the old State
Tax Commission has declared this
course to be impractical, the Rock
bridge man said the figures OF the
commissions report were erroneous In
some instances. and that investigation
at tho Auditors office would disclose
the fact that segregation was entirely
possible. Mr.. Byrd agreed that he
favored the plan, but asserted that It
would not be put in effect now with
out gross fnjusice to many counties,
while II Will be practicable within
seven or eight years If there is efrec-
tive equalization in the meantime.
Judge Martin Williams began the
statement OF his ground OF opposition
TO the Byrd bill. but yielded TO adj
ournment before he rcachde the sub
5ect matter It will come UP again at
1890 to-day, and debate is likely to
consume most Of the week.
Fnyors WOmnn's College.
BY a vote of to ), the Senate Com
mittee on Public Institutions and Edu-
cation yesterday morning voted to re-
port favorably the establishment of
woman's coordinate college at or near
the University of Virginia. The COM
mittce approved the early amendment
which forbids coeducation in any de-
pamment at the university.
II had been expected that the vote
in committee would he quito close but
there has been feeling that the bill
would be reported iaVorably. 4 sim
liar bill. but without the Early amend
ment is oil the House calendar. having
been reported from the Committee on
Schools and Colleges with no dissent
ing vote. 1t will be fought in the
House by Speaker Byrd and other
is regarded as unlikely, although it
is believed its chances in the Senate
are good.
Oppose Prohibition.
For nearly two hours yesterday
morning the opponents OF the Jordan
bill providing for initiative and refer
endum on the subject of state prohibit
lion were heard before the House
Committee on Privileges and Elections.
Citizens OF Hampton, DsnYille, Peters
burg, Alexandria and Newport News
smoke against the bill and asked the
committee not to report measure
which will precipitate Ill feeling and
plunge the state into the turmoil of q
prohibition election.
One of the. SIP .akc was Phil Metz.
president OF the Virginia Federation
of Labor, who asked for consideration
for men dependent upon brewery and
allied interests for their support. He
said he could not see the incentive for
adopting In Virginia policy which
has been tried and found wanting in
other States of the Union.
The opposition had not concluded
when the committee rose, and another
hn lol1 "a rrl,t IN. ~