The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-09
AN EXTRA SESSION

AN EXTRA SESSION
n the future can be judged by tho past, the
next general assembly of Virginia will be I'M
able to give sufficient time to the discussion
Of the question of tax reform. If the expert |
enees of 1912 are to be duplicated in small part
the Legislators will be unable to devote to the
tax question sufficient time to give proper
legislation along that line.
In all probability those experiences will be
duplicated. Numerous questions press for So
luton and at least two Of them demand action.
With sixty days in which to work the legis-
lature will be called upon to pass the enabling
act and reform virgnias tax laws and pass
local bills, besides devoting time
TO other questions of more or less Importance
Sixty days will be all too short time in which
to handle these questions. Two years ago the
general assembly accomplished practically moth
ing although the tax problem not to the
front as 1t will be next winter. There can be
little hope therefore that any of the important
questions facing the legislature of 1912 will
be disposed OF unless some arrangements
made for the transaction of more work and for
more time for those engaged in It.
1t Is for these reasons that The Vtrgtntan
urges the careful consideration of the sugges
lions for handling the problem of tax reform
port News chairman of the finance committee
of the senate. Senator Hollis plan is to have
a committee Of five members of the house and
five members Of the senate to be assisted by
the governor. the governor-elect and the first
auditor, whose duty 1t shall be to draft a proper
bill for taxation. Senator Holt will introduce
ia resolution to this effect and providing, fur
shall be excused from all other committee work
during the session.
This suggestion strikes The Virginian an
eminently wise far as 1t goes Considera-
ton by the finance committee thirty days be-
fore the meeting OF the legislature which Is also
suggested, and deliberations by this special com
mittee should give information this subject
sufficient to enable the legislature to enact-if
the committee sits long enough and the legisa-
rture has time to act in the closing days of the
session at which time the committee report
will be made, 1t is more than probable, how
ever, that the committee will need the entire
two months of the legislative session for DELHI
Grafton. and even though 1t should report short
lily before adjournment the legislature would
/ be so engrossed In other work that 1t would
find it impossible to take up SO important a
question. What can be done during the last
few weeks Of legislative session is well known
IT is nothing in the way of deiberation and a
great deal in the way of rash action and half
baked legislation
( If Senator Holt would provide In his resou
ton for an extra session and If Governor Stuart
would announce his intention of calling one, the
senator's plan would be improved,
The problem OF revising virginia's tax laws
is mans Job. The entire session of the
legislature could be spent prohtahly in con
sfdrrtng Tt, and Tt could not be considered prop
ery along with the enabling act and other i'm
portant legislation which will be undertaken
In addition to the many minor questions which
will come up. II Senator Hollis committee
should give the greater part of the Legislative
session to study of the problem and the process
into special session of the legislature the worl
could be accomplished satisfactorily.
special session of the legislature to con
slider nothing but the tax question and who's
! sole work would be to enact proper Legislation
/ would have results Of vast importance to tn
/ State OF Virginia.
RANK FAyORITIsM.
$ Now Senator Lippitt, Of Rhode Island. sps