davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Tax Segregation viii Aid Communities


n EMAND for tax reform in Virginia, as laid
IL down in the report of the Committee
on Tax Revision, is based on 1.-The inequality
of assessments, which is the inevitable out
come of the inability Of the State to regulate
the assessments upon which its revenues are
levied Because The Times Dispatch has not
been able to believe that any fair promise Of
equalization was held out by the plan for a
Tax Commission, it has urged that the alterna-
tive plan of partial segregation be adopted.
That plan will be helpful to the counties
and cities of Virginia, as we'll to the State
as whole. Public opinion" as the report
says. would demand the listing Of all private
property for taxation, when all the revenue
from 1T would be expended locally. Persons
and firms would be the moro recohciled to an
adequate assessment when they realized that
the taxes would be laid out in their own sec
tons. and a general community sentiment in
favor Of faircr assessments would be the
more readily developed"
These are the views, we take it. Of that
minority of the committee that recommended
partial segregation, although it is sometimes
difficult in reading the report, to determine
where unanimity ends and disagreement be-
gins At any rate, they evidence an accurate
acquaintance with human nature and express
expectations far more likely to be realized
than some Of the hopeful prophesies Of the
majority.
1t is unlikely that the majority's plan for
reserving real estate as subject Of taxation
for State purposes is capable Of accomplish
ing the objects it seeks. Equalization Of
realty assessments is by no means impossible
but 1T can be achieved only by State COM
MISSION exercising great powers, spending
much money and pursuing through experts
difficult and prolonged investigation 1t
will not be attained, certainly, by any patch
work or makeshift policy.
Under all the circumstances, the partial
segregation plan is the better OF the two
and, probably, the best that can be obtained
1t would be foolish to throw away a chance
for great Improvement in our system of taxa
ton, because at one stroke we are not able
to attain perfection.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

|, exports to the United States exceeded
mo imports therefrom. In Guatemala.
honduras. Nicaragua, Costa Rlca, Pan
anna, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and
ifaiti, the imports from the United
states represented more than ne-hall
or all the imports into the countries
In Mexico the imports from the United
states amounted to nearly one-half-
4a.i per cent Of the whole. The ten
countries last named, taken together
took from the United States $40 per
cent of their total imports. from the
United Kingdom, 1875 per cent; from
Germany. 10 per cent and from France
~ per cent. The same countries eS-r
Ported to the United States Ills per
cent of their total foreign exports. to
the United Kingdom, III per emit: to
Germany, 10 per cent, and to France
so per cent. In only two OF the ten
countries named did the United states
fail TO rank first In both imports and
exports; In Guatemala. the exports to
Germany represented $40 per cent of
the total; to the United States, 27.2
per cent. and in Haiti the exports TO
both France and Germany exceeded
those TO the United States. In Hon
duras the proportion OF exports to
the United States was 500 per cent OF
the whole. in Panama. SEQ per cent
and in Cuba, 1913 per cent.
In the ten republics Of South America
the position OF the United States was
BY no means so advantageous. OF the
totals for these countries the United
States supplied 1928 per cent Of the
Imports: the United Kingdom. 27.73 per
cent: Germany. 1885 per cent, and
France. s.6s per cent. The United
states took OF their exports 1866 per
cent; tho United Kingdom, 2409 per
cent: Germany, 1913 per cent. and
France. 9.S7 per cent.
1t can easily be seen. therefore that
the position Of the United States as
the leading country in Latin American
trade liz due TO Its commanding posi-
ton in the ten nearby republics. and
that in South America IT Is far behind
tho United Kingdom in both imports
and exports. and behind Germany in
the Imports. But even In South Amcri-
ca the trade OF the United States is
unevenly distributed rs compared with
the trade of the European countries. 1t
leads in the imports of Venezuela. 3s.5
per cent OF the total. as compared to
the United Kingdom. 23.S per cent. 1t
leads also In Colombia, 26.T per cent
TO United Kingdom. 2O.4 per cent. and
In Peru, 2S.S' per cent. to United King
dom, 26.2 per cent. On the contrary,
in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil. Chile, and
Uruguay. the United States falls be-
low both the United Kingdom and Ger
many: In Paraguay II Is below France
as well: in Ecuador. 1t is second to the
United Kingdom.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Christmas in Brittany

Among the quaint observences OF the
Christmas time that have come down
through the centuries from the Middle
Ages Is one that prevails in the VIII
lagos OF Brittany, France. This is a
kind OF miracle play given on Christ
mas Eve. The crib or manager is erected
In the church. Instead OF lay figures
representing the holy family. living
persons assume the several characters
The blessed Virgin Is represented by -
village maid. ST. Joseph Is a young
man known to all the villagers, and tho
infant Jesus Is baby Of flesh and
blood. Real cattle MUNICH hay in the
mimic crib behind tho place where
the young Child lay" Mass is said
during which procession Of priests,
altar boys and the congregation
marches round the church. Arriving,
at the crib. homage is paid to all theI
characters In the Nativity scene. Holy
water is sprinkled on man, maid and
babe, and afterward on the cattle. The
priest then goes to the door of the
church and blesses all the herds and
focks Of tho people. which are driven
past him In the roadway. Many OF,
these have bells about their necks. and
the solemn words OF blessing sound
strangely amid the clang of the bells.
the lowing OF the cattle. the baainr
OF the sheep and the cries of the
drivers.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Nation Backs the President

~ NE of the most gratifying products of
~ the State Departments firm protest to
Creat Britain against the unnecessary and
AH!.1longed detention of American ships and
other interference with American commerce
is the support it is receiving from all politi-
cal parties. Partisan clamor is stilcd for
the time, and there is little or no respectable
disagreement with the position the admins
tration, for the protection of the national
dignity and honor, has been forced to take
No less gratifying is the spirit in which
the communication has been received by the
British ministry, press and public. The Lon
don newspapers, practically without dissent,
say it is the sort of protest a great nation
considering itself aggrieved, might be en-
6pected to make There is every indication
that suitable reparaton for past injuries will
be made and adequate precautions taken
against their repetition.
4 When problem is approached by both
sides in this spirit Of justice and concila-
Ation, there need be. obviously, no apprehen-
sion OF an unhappy outcome.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Druggists Help in Antidrug Crusade

ID 1CHMOND will hope that the support
IN Richmond druggists have promised the
police, in the effort to suppress the sale of
cocaine and similar drugs, will be given in
generous measure. AS matter of fact, the
druggists have it in their power to render
invaluable assistance in this crusade and
owe the public a special duty to do what they
can make the fight effective.
80 Moreover, they owe like duty to them
'lselVes So long as habit-forming drugs are
isold here in Richmond the scale the
police say they are being sold, public sus-
picion will be directed to persons in the drug
business. Nine-tenths of this suspicion will
be wholly unjust and undeserved, but it will
exist none the less. 1t should be deprived
of any meat on which to feed.
The druggists, individually and collective
ly, can accomplish this end very thoroughly
and perform at the same time a great public
service, by cordial cooperation with the eff
forts OF the police. They will be very un-
wise should the promised assistance prove
lacking in any OF its needed elements Of i'm
partially, determination and vigor
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

Americans living at n fast
Noise Acts pace. most of the time keyed up
as Nation. to high tension. They give
S.fatr vel. enormously OF their nerve power
''o to their business affairs. Some
go to tho breaking point pre-
maturely and pay tho Inevitable toll But con-
stantly we are learning the lesson and devotlng
more attention to wholesome diversion. such as
baseball football Chose who do not play them
get the benefit as spectators and devotees),
golf. tennis, autoing and others. These may
call the safety valves for the escape Of our
excess steam. When the pressure Of pent-up
anxiety and care reaches tie point OF exhaus-
ton. there Is the safety valve for the escape,
and every man owes 1t to himself. his family
and his business to make the most Of It. Some
OF our decorous friends from other lands have
been abashed at the volume OF what strikes
them as rowdyism displayed at baseball, for
example. but what If Americans had no such
popular outlet for their native strenuosity-
what would become of them? 1t is not rowdy-
ism, but rather sportsmanship. the same sort
that sends fellow into the air at n horse race
(of which we ought to have morc), an auto
race or any other exciting contest COMPETE
ton. They arc safety valves that enable one
to turn his mind entirely away from the vexing
cares OF busness.-Omaha Bee.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Chats With Virginia Editors

Comment of the Norfolk virglnian-Pilot: "a
ION correspondent says there is a great
ue',i more 10 Jim Ham Lewis than whiskers
ana we have known more than one clean -shayen
man VINO lacked much besides hirsute adorn-
iheht NO stronger argument for copious
mnishers could be reasonably asked than George
Bernard Shaw.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
SONGS AND SAWS
The Fly In the Ointment.

The Ely In the Ointment.
How can fellow even think
He'll have glad New Year.
When all the time his spirits sink
Cause playtime's end draws near?
You older folks may sit and chat
or ninctccn-fifteen's rule,
But Monday-Rreat Jehosophat-
i've got to go to school,
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Another Scrap of Paner2

10 -EtENT suggestions from Germany that
exequaturs Of American consuls ac-
credited TO Belgium would have to be "modi-
fed" whatever that may mean, have renewed
he expectation that the Kaiser was on the
verge of formally annexing conquered Bel
,an territory to the empire. This expecta-
ION has inspired the republication OF one OF
he official kilograms sent by the German
oreign Office to its embassy in London and
communicated to the British government Just
efore Great Britain cast its lot with the al
lies.
In part, this telegram reads
Please dispel any mis,rust that NAV.
subsist on the part of the British gov
eminent with regard to Intentions
by repeating most positively formal as
surance tnat, even In case of armed
conflict with Belgium Germany will
under no pretence whatever. annex Bel
sian territory. Sincerity of this declara-
r. ton is horne out by fact that we
solemnly pledged word to Holland
strictly to respect her neutrality. II is
OBVIOUS that could not proftably
annex Belgian territory without making
At the same time territorial acquisitions
& at the expense of Holland.
These declarations of Germany's attitude
toward Belgium are SO clear and explicit as to
be incapable of misunderstanding It will be
interesting to observe if they constitute an
other scrap of paper as did the treaties, to
which Germany was party, that guaranteed
lBelgium's neutrality. If they do their re-
reading may make Holland rather uncom-
Portable
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
May Make IT FIT.
(Detroit Erea Pres

Detroit FREQ Press)
81. Louis woman was sued by her
dressmaker for $500 In payment for n
gown she had outgrown. That dress.
maker may Tet worry tie lady thin. J.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
"nnck to the FARM for Unemployed.


To the Editor The Times Dispatch:
Sir.-For several weeks your columns have
contained something about the thousands OF
people in Richmond and other cities who are
out of work, and the demands charitable
institutions for help Is 1t not fact that such
need is confined almost exclusively the cities.
while in the country none but tho indigent-
and there few Of them-are in need OF food
shelter?
If SO, naturally the question arises, why does
such condition exist? The congested contres
OF population seem to give the The
people have forsaken the farms and crowded
into the cities. Lured by the love Of ease that
city life seems to offer inl times of business
prosperity, when they can gea work with shorter
hours. more ready cash, shielded from tho hot
summer and cold winter winds. they have
locked to the cities. and now the wolf Is at the
door OF the homo he never in the
country.
7 doubt If there is farm Or a sawmil or
any other business in the country in this State
where labor is employed that is not in need OF
more help. AS to the FARMS it is n we'll known
fact the laborer has forsaken them, and when
forsakcs the only source of food the in
evitable follows.
Many of the needy in the cities can
remember when they left comfortable home
in the country, whore although they had to toll
hours and could not have much cash to spend
nor wear good clothing as they have In
fourshing times In the city, after each days
toll they had no apprehension of lack of n
plenty of good nourshing food and clothing
to keep them comfortable and wood for fuel to
disturb their slnmbcrs.
Not that ] would deprecate the good work of
charity to help the unfortunate in the cities
for the man who has family to pull up when
ever his employment in the city Is cut or and
move to the country, but II seems to me that
back to the farm Is the remedy for tho dis
tressing need that now exists in the cities.
G. r. DICKINSON
Milford, Va, December 20, 1914.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Causes of tho War

I F the fighting continues long enough, every
thing above and below the surface Of the
earth will have been ransacked to furnish the
one and indubitabe cause of the trouble At
the outset we were told that war was due to
Servia's desire to disrupt the empire Of Fran
CHS Joseph. Then we learned that Germany
simply had to invade Belgium because Russia
proposed to make like incursion into East
Prussia which is sacred soil because the
Junkers there attain their maximum develop
ment. After that, the knowledge of the
teachings Of Germanys military and civilian
philosophers and historians became more
general, folks came to believe that Europe
was convulsed with war because the Kaiser
aimed at world dominion as the legitimate
goal of German Kultur. And so it has gone
at least one new reason each week
The latest and to that extent the trucst
cause OF the war has now been brought to
light by clergyman who read in book that
the Germans must get immediate and perma-
nont possession of the large hematite iron
ore deposits recently discovered in France, or
that country's nnancers and engineers will
in the next fifty years make her the leading
people of Europe, while the land of Kultur
Will be occupying back seat because it
VIII have used up all it's iron ore.
And there you are, until somebody else
reads some other prophetic book, when a
new cause for the war will be brought to
the surface There must be something of the
pleasure of the chase in haggng Il fresh rea-
son for Europes madness. But when the
quarry is brought home. the chances are that
1t does not greatly refresh the spirit or in
form the mind Of the people, AT least not
OF the American people. To sum I'D Ameri-
can opinion would be an impossible and nos
slbIy useless task, even If ii were possible
Every shade OF every possible view of the
conflict has its representatives in this conn
try. There Indications however that
the weight of opinion in this country nclines
TO the heller that the war was brought about
because Germany felt that her military prep
arations had reached the pitch of perfection
that would enable her TO seize the dominat
ing position in the family of nations
The Harvard professor who said he could
detect kindergarten graduates among tho
freshmen "by the softness Of their mental
fbre' must have reached the conclusion
that most of his tirstyear classes had sat Mt
the feet OF disciples Of Froebel
In the sense of the income tax law, New
York judge has decided, alimqhy is not in
come. Some unwilling cx-husbands have
reached the conclusion that it is more in tho
nature of outgo
North Richmond property owners are
ciamoring for more water They ought to
be able to get plenty of it after Novcm-
Der, 1916.
Comptroller Of the Currency Williams is as
much pleased with the Federal reserve net
and its operation as is the rest of the country
Shoplifting Will cease to be one of our
leading indoor sports If Justice Crutchfield
follows the rule he laid down yesterday.
Jack Frost is having lots OF fun with Rich
mond Now you see him and now you don't
Here's hoping we get new post-of1lce facii-
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

ihe Henry Bulletin remarks: England saws
she mas 100000 men under arms France
ana heiEium would feel better If there We're
few more of them In the trenches" At INV r,.o
under arms is better than under foot
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
The PcssIn,Int Says,

These are bitter days for the Jingoes. The,
cannot even hope that England is going to be-
nasty and stir up row with Uncle sam
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
The Voice of the People
Taxation nased on Property neneat..

To the Editor OF The Times DispatCh
Sir,-To- days editorial says that the ideal
system for the tax reform program is that
which requires every class OF property that Is
taxed nj all to contribute n proportionnt tel
equal amount to the expenses OF government"
This brief appears to be Il fain and just state
ment Of the for tax reform and expect
that 80 per cent of our people would say go
ahead, and you right.
But there is serious and fundamental error
In this method. 1t is just reorganization of
the old idea of taxing according TO the ability
to pay" If all the various forms property
and evidences OF property received the
benefit from government and public service then
it would be fair and just to tax all these forms
of property at the same rate per hundred dollars
But such is not the case, and experience has
shown that it is good public policy and good
business for the community to lease up the
taxes classes of property.
Real tax reform aims tax according to
the benefits of government" Houston, Texas,
Pittsburgh and other cities aiming in that
direction. "PIEDMONT."
Charlottesville Va. December 90, 1914.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

Shoplifting will cease to be one of our
ieadlng indoor sports If Justice Crutchfield
follows the rule he laid down Yesterday
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

Jack Frost is having lots of fun with Rich
mond. Now you see him and now Won don't
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

Iwo-story streets In the area named would
save Chicago 100000 a year and add vastly
TO public comfort-Chicago Herald.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Times Ci,nnres

He-Miss Oldgirrs complexion isn't getting
any better is it?
She-No she rather yellows with age.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
Review
of Franks
Case

Rov;cy Lamar the Frank case will go
of Franks 60, t ,i u ,rni =; -
S"Se should be- The Constitution pro-
vides that citizen of the
United States shall be deprived of life, liberty
property without due process OF law. Leo
NJ. Frank may be guilty of murder. but it is
more than doubtful whether there duo
process of law in finding him guilty. Where
the defendant in "a murder trial is excluded from
the jury returns its verdict that is more the
duo process of lynch law than the due process
of statute law. 1t was within the power OF
the Governor of Georgia to prevent the execution
of Frank. but this would have been no solution
OF the case. IL Frank Is guilty of the crime
charged against him he ought to be hanged.
If he is innocent he should his life or
his freedom to the clemency of Governor. The
main question of law involved in this extra
ordinary is that only this court is
competent to answer.-New York World.
The city councils commission
py,o.Stor> downtown improvements
ct,oots informed by its investigators the
80, other day that ten acres of pave
"ssipic ment are torn up every year in
the district between Twelfth
street. the river and the lake in underground
construction and repairs. The purpose OF the
investigation is to furnish concrete argument
for action by the city to provide underground
galleries for pipes, conduts, wires and all the
multitude Of equipments for services which it
is more advantageous to perform collectively
than individually. In n word, il is n proposal
general idea OF two-story streets is not
Heretofore, however. it's thought has been
mainly directed toward division of wheeled
traffic. Some are beginning to doubt the wisdom
of such division. Theypoint out that the effect
of subways and elevated roads is still more to
concentrate human labor In a small area. when
what the laborcrs need for their welfare
is a dispersion that will lessen tho physical and
nervous pressure they now endure. More i'm
portant in its permanent benefits a d.
vision that would provide different roadways
for different kinds of tranic--for the animate
and the nanimate. it may he called. In the
streets of our great cities lis already under
world of traffic. 1t needs to bc organized, to be
Of
movement and room for expansion without inter.
ference with the animate traffic above. At
present II can hardly grow without such inter-
terence, which Is both troublesome and costly
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

Here's hoping we get new post-ofilce facili-
ties-somewhere and somehow!
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

Comptroller of the Currency Williams is a.
mhch pleased with the Federal reserve ac
and its operation as is the rest of the country
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

Harry Thaw has been posing for the motion
picture men. Ought not those reels to be blue
penclcd by the censor?' the Newport News
Times Herald asks. Harry should be familiar
with the reels His adventures Gilded youth
full OF them. Likewise, he has proven
something of poser for the alienists.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

u Published every day in the year by The Times
ptspstch Publishing Company, Inc. Address nil
Recommendations to THE T1MES-DISPATCII,
Sltiaes-Dispatch building, 10 South Tenth Street.
sRlchmond, Va.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31
A Talented, Child.

WHAT'S. the matter with young Clarence
asked the friend of the family, as lie passed {
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-31

North Richmond property owners arc
ciamoring for more water. They ought to
be able to get plenty OF it after Novom
Der, 1916