The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-02
AUDITOR MOORE
! TRUSTSSHOP[E
Believes Public Will Join in Ell
= 4 forts for Fair Property
- Assessment. = .A
RELIEF SEEMS IN SIGHT
Legislature Must Soon Act, and
TaS2 Burdens Will BE Only
Temporary.
RELIEF SEEMS IN SIGHT


conadsnt that most people desire 10
do their duty in the payment Of taxes.
State Auditor c. Lee Moore. in state
nlent issued yesterday TO the commits
siOners of the revenue throughout the
stare. EXPRESSES his conviction that the
public Will aid this year I'm securing
a fair assessment of property for tax
alton
A Just and equal valuation OF pro-
perty WILL in the opinion, Of the Audi
tor result in lsssening the weight Of
taxpaying. since largely Increased
: rcye nuesswill GONE from those Insult
GENTLY assessed in previous years
While there will be burdens in many
| instances, caused by faults ia the sys-
tenn, these are but temporary, for re-
I lief is IN sight through the remedial
1 legislation that Is most probably at
Ia I'D.
tvaiIe The letter Is addressed 10 the
I comm fssiontrs, over whom the Audi
tor has Official supervision. II is in
erect an address 10 the public. show
ing his attitude toward The whole
question OF taxation-that he proposes
TO enforce the laws as ne finds them,
confideht that She raopie viii 90
operate.
The press Of the state y given Gre
dit for the work il is doing IN agi-
tating, the question and in acQuainting
the people with the injustiees and in
CAPABILITIES Of the taxing system in
Virginia.
rext OF Letter.
The letter OF the Auditor IS as fol-
lows:
sCommonwealth of Virginia. Office of
the Auditor OF Public Accounts. Rich
ryfsnd February l. 1919
To. Commissioners OF the Revenue:
.f;entiernec,-To you begin NO
ASSES values and taxes for the year
1913 and supple raentary TO my circu
lar OF Instructions issued you under
date of January %, 1913, address you
this communication
The agitation of the matter Of tax
alton has been OF great beneAt 20 all
the people of the state
The clear and forceful manner IL
( which the press has continued TO en-
tighten its readers on this subject DE-
monstrates IT'S always eager purpose
ana desire to promote the public good,
nd so potent ard salutary Is its in
huence the public eagerly responds in
kind
The people OF this State have to-
day better understanding Of the laws
relating 10 taxation than they have
ever had before
think IL important that the people
should thoroughly understand that the
ultimate effect of the agitation of this
Question will not inc-ease the burden
OF taxation. but that proper assess
ment against every taxpayer will pro-
duce such largely increased assessed
values. placing the burden OF taxation
on everyone in proportion to his or her
possessions a. il should be. as viii
result in materially reducing the rates
Of levies. which reduction will enure
TO the benefit Of all
II is only necessary for the people
OF this Commonwealth 10 know what
is required of them by law TO bring
about their observance of those re-
auirements The people of Virginia
are for what is right and VIII always
act accordingly. The few exceptions
to this rule will feel very much out
of place amongst their neighbors.
You are the officers charged by law
with the duty of assessing property.
incomes. etc. and you will this year
find the people ready and willing to
aid you in every way in their power
10 accomplish the services which they
have chosen you TO perform
Questions for Public.
why should any one desire to evade
or avoid the taxation which the law
i'm pOSeSy WHY should any one seek
advantage over his fellow citizen in
the assessment Of taxes2 Why should
any one wish not TO do his part in aid
ing the government which secures the
enjoyment of life and liberty, with the
means OF acquiring and possessing
property
"Au power is vested in and conse-
quently derived from the people"
The commissioner of the revenue is
the servant Of the people The peo-
pie have enacted the laws which IL is
his duty to enforce. and rely upon the
assertion I now make. the people will
stand shoulder to shoulder this year
and help in every way TO administer
the law The result will be more uni
form taxation, assessments nearer the
true values. and greatest and best OF
all. a people satisfied with itself for
the good influence IL has welded
tthroughout the Commonwealth
But this same fair and just public
will be conscious Of some burdens IL
must now endure. nevertheless. conf
dent the time is near at hand for re-
lief from such inequalities and Excess
sive taxation as equity demands
believe you will find the people
anxious to cooperate with YOU IN
every way when you call upon them to