The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-20
THE STATE TAN REFORM CONFER



ENCE.
Tax reform is the paramount issue
in Virginia. The press and the people
bear unanimous testimony to the fact.
Im singing out this issue as that in
most urgent need Of solution now. the
directors of the Richmond Chamber of
Commerce recognize condition which
legislative naction and indifference has
SO aggravated that II remedy must be
applied and applied at once Our pres
ont tax system monaces the rights and
the property of both individuals and
corporations. it has reared formid
able obstacle across the path OF social,
Industrial and commercial progress.
The vigorous enforcement of the tax
laws has brought the defects of the
system into the fullest public notice:
The Investigations OF grand jurcs have
revealed widespread condition both
of evasion of taNes and OF undcrassess-
Ineut Of taxable property as we'll as
Of unjust TAXATION.
10 the directors of the Chamber OF
Commerce the entire State is indebted
for their farsightcd and wise course
in voting TO call a state tax confer
eucc. TO bc held in Richmond within
The next few months. to he composed
Of delegates from every business or
Eanizaton in Virginia; its purpose be-
ing To draft tan reform measure en-
hodyinc the demands of the business
interests of the state y tentative out
line of proposed tax reforms is to he
presented at the meeting by a COM
,nittcc of the chamber
The benefit To he derived by business
from nm equitable reconstruction of
our tax system is immense; there is an
equally heavy burden to he lifted.
Thomas u. McAdams. cX president Of
the State Bankers Association. dc
clared al the meeting OF the directors
of the Chamber OF Commerce that re-
cent tax Investigation and enforce
ment of the present tax laws has
caused the withdrawal of more than
$4,000, 600 from Richmond banks, much
OF il never to be rcdeposited. If the
agitation had been longer and more
intense. it is his opinion that many
banks i'll the state would have been
forced out OF business. President -.
H. Funston, OF the Real Estate r:x-
change, declared OH the same occa-
sion that our system of double taxa
lion of mortgages is working against
the homebuildcr as well rs outside
capital seeking Investment in Virginia.
The special grand jury of the Hastings
Court of Richmond found that the
strict enforcement OF the laws rclat-
ing TO capital in business would prac-
ticaily ruin great proportion Of bust
ness throughout the state. The pres
ent tax ON money or deposit prevents
poor people from saving and safe
guarding their earnings which, when
hanked, eventually return into COM
mercial channels. The tax works
against that condition of thrift which
is so helpful to business. 1t is obvious
that the people as we'll as the bust
ness interests themselves would benc-
NJ greatly If the reforms desired by
business could be secured.
The solo suggestion which The
mcs-Dispatch makes TO the Chamber
of Coinmerc~ at this time is that it
widen the scope OF the membership OF
the proposed conference so rs to. in
riudc official representatives Of the va
llous cities and counties in the State.
why not call upon the mayors OF the
cities and the boards Of supervisors
Of the counties TO send delegates to
the convention Why not extend the
privilege Of membership to representa-
tvcs Of all classes? Why not make an
especial effort to get the views of the
great agricultural population of the