Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-24
virginians Considering the
Loss of Revenue From the
Liquor Traffic.
DONATION OF HOSPITAL
TO CITY OF RICHMOND
State Ready to Pay Pensions to Con-
federate Veterans-Railway
Changes Rumored.
special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
RICHMOND. Va, August rs, 1919.
An assessment of real estate for, taxa
ton will be made in Virginia in 1915, and
the possibilities of the effects of that as
sessment on the politics of the state
are being discussed. The Anti-Saloon
League Is keeping an eye on the situa-
ton, for In case the statewide enabling
act is passed by the legislature at the
coming session. that organization will be
confronted with the question of where
the state will get the revenue now de-
rived from: the liquor traffic. The state
receives something like 100000 from
this source. One-half of this sum
more than one-half-is annually spent
on criminal charges. The impression is
that IL the tax rate on real estate keeps
step with the increase in valuations of
personal property the state will have
more than $4,000 increase in taxes
from that source. thus more than off
liquors. Then, too, the state will not
have to pay more than one-half of the
present charge for criminal expenses.
This is the phase Of the situation which
the anti-liquor forces are watching with
interest. The arguments of the liquor
men that property will depreciate if the
saloons are banished will be upset If
the increase in assessments comes any
where near the general belief.
Real estate assessments are made in
Virginia once in each five years, and
the next one. as stated. Is scheduled
for 1915. Based on an increase of some
where near thirty millions of dollars in
personal property this year, it Is stated
that the increase in real estate for the
year 1915 will be at least per cent
each year, making not less than IS per
cent for the five years. The present
revenues from real estate are around
$5,0oO.O00. With an addition of even ~
per cent in 1915 this would be increased
liquor revenue were lost entirely, it is
argued, there would be an excess in re-
ceipts of more than $4OOOOO over and
above the deficit due to liquor licenses.
Donation of City Hospital.
A proposition has been made by the
Medical College of Virginia to give to
this city a hospital. fully equipped, free
OF charge. as a gift for the treatment of
emergency cases. The idea is to take
the sick away from the City Hospital,
which is now a part Of the almshouse.
The Medical College of Virginia acquir-
ed the old Virginia Hospital when 1t
combined with the University College of
Medicine. the hospital being a part Of
the college. The Medical College had
a modern hospital-the Memorial-and as
the old Virginia Hospital is not being
used. it was decided to make the city a
present OF the same free of all cost. 1t
10 furnished throughout. and would
serve for a number of years as a city
institution.
It is more than likely that IL the offer
is accepted the hospital would be used
for CLINICAL work In connection with the
hospital, beng next door to the college.
This would be great advantage as the
students at this time have to make long
trips to the City Hospital when taking
clinical work. Then. too. the city would
the corps of Instructors and professors
being on hand at all times to attend
whatever patients might need their serv-
ices.
Pensions for Veterans.
The pension department. Of the state
10 ready to mail checks for the pensions
for ex-Confederate soldiers and their
dependent widows. The checks are pay
able as Of September 1, and they will be
mailed here the night of August 30. so
that they may reach their destination not
later than the date fixed for payment
There are some 1900 of these pension
ers, residing in all parts of the state.
There are a great many of the former
pensioners who have failed to send In
their papers, and they will be allowed
q reasonable time In which to do so.
They will get their checks as soon as
their papers have been examined and
round in proper shape. The number of
pensioners decreases each year. and it is
estimated that at the rate of mortality
among them at this time ten years will
not find many more than 1000 living In
Virginia
Rumor of Railway Changes.
,Omcials OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad are much concerned over re-
forts which have gained currency to the
cnect that there Is to be general shake
up Of the entire managerial system. II
there is any truth in the reports George
W. Stevens is soon to be placed on the.
retired list and George p. Johnston, now
general manager of the Chesapeake and
Ohio system. Is toe succeed him. Paul
Stevens. now in charge of the Cincin-
natl division, is soon to come here it
is said, and assume the position of gem
eral superintendent. He is a son Of Pres
ident George w. Stevens. The officers OF
the road are doing no talking, but the
heads or the various departments-the
Tpen who have fat Jobs and big salaries
are somewhat concerned. That there Is
something in the reports is the belief of
those who are In a position to know, and
who cannot talk. and the officials will
not make a direct denial that changes
are in contemplation The infusion OF
new blood into the management is under
stood to be the purpose of the changes
Hr. johnston is q son OF the president
OF the Norfolk and Western railroad.
Meager Primary Returns.
Though the election to nominate state
officers was held three weeks ago. lack-
ing two days. the returns are not vet
IN. and there is no telling when they will
come to hand. They are still coming,
but because Of defect in the primary
law the reports cannot be opened till
the state committee shall meet and d.
rect the work. There is however. a
suggestion by Secretary Brenaman advis-
ing that the candidates agree to have
the returns opened and tabulated and in
that way the missing precincts can be
ascertained and sent for. 1t is believed
that this will be agreed to. and that one
friend will represent each candidate at
the tabulation. this being done to pre-
vent any charge of irregularity or fraud
in making the count. The returns are
under lock and key, no one having access
to them save Secretary Brenaman. He
will allow no man to handle them. The
seals on the packages have not been
broken.
Industrial Home Management.
After . protracted investigation of the
Virginia Industrial Home and School for
Gifis, in Chesterfield county. the state
board of charities and corrections has
made written report to Gov. Mann, in
which II Is urged that the institution
shall be managed and controlled entirely
by the state 1t Is at this time a pri-