The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-14
SAYS ALL MEMBERS
SHOULD Be ASKED
Edwin P. Cox Opposes Tax Re-
form Conference of a Few
Legislators.
FAvoRS PUBLIC SESSIONS
Declares That Duties of Finance
Committee Should Be
Divided.
FAvoRs PUBLIC SESSIONS

Edwin p. Cox, OF Richmond, who Is
prominently mentioned as a candidate
for the speakership of the next House
OF Delegates. said yesterday that he
would favor such a conference on tax
reform as is proposed by the Chamber
of Commerce. provided all OF the mem
bers are invited. For himself. he would
not enter into a conference of a Sc
lected few. Probably half-dozen
members Of the next House. he said
had settled views on the question OF
tax reform. or had outlined plans to
present. The great body of tho mem
bers had committed themselves TO no
special plan. Mr.. Cox did not think
such conference as is proposed
should BIO held before the November
election. and that when II is held, all
Of the members should be invited.
Some men whose advice would be OF
value have strong opposition, and are
not yet elected by any means. For
mer State Senator Keezell Is one of
the Democratic nominees Cor the House
from Rockingham. but as the county
already has Republican Senator, and
rs strong aght is being waged. Mr..
Keezell Is not yet elected. though he
has the vigorous support Of Henry c.
Stuart and other leaders Of Democracy
In the State.
w Oulu MAKE NO distinctions.
while such n conference would have
great value in getting the members
together, giving an opportunity for an
interchange of views. and in getting
better acquainted" said Mr.. Cox, lit
does not seem proper to me that any
invidious distinctions should be made
against the new members, but that
the whole body should be invited.
Were the membership to accept. and
l believe many of them would. the
practical effect would be merely to
lengthen the term of the session-that
is TO say, there would be a brief in
formal and unofficial session held some
time between the date of the election
and the opening of the regular sixty
day session in January.
LAS candidate for the speakership.
am not taking sides in matters of
legislation. but there are two matters
OF parliamentary procedure for which
stand. These arc public sessions of
all committees, and division Of the
work of the Finance Committee. 1
would have that committee concerned
only with raising tho revenue, and
would give IT charge Of preparation or
proper bills on the subject of tax re-
form and for revision of the fee sys-
tenn"
Retrcnchmcnt and Economy.
II would strengthen the Committee
on Retrenchment and Economy and
charge 1t with the preparation OF the
general appropriation bill 1t is just
as important that we have some COM
mittee actively watching each item OF
expenditure as it is TO revise our meth
DDS OF raising the revenue. l believe
there is room for retrcnchment and
economy, and that more attention
should be given to 1t.
II am strongly in favor OF open ses-
sions of all committees 1 can see no
good reason why the peoples business
should be considered by committees be-
hind closed doors Bills offered In the
General Assembly are public matters,
and the reasons for and against their
passage should have the widest pub
licity."