The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-21
MEMBERS FAVOR
SMALL COMMITTEE
Commission of Experts for Tax
Reform Does Not Meet
With Approval.
WEAVER EXPLAINS POSITION
Wants United Action to Draw
Such Bills as May Be Put
Into Effect.
WEAVER EXPLAINS POSITION

| Sentiment IN the General Assembly is
rapidly crystailizing In favor OF small
| Legislative committee to draw up the
new tax bills for consideration ut the
extra session OF the General Assembly.
The issue. il Is stated by leaders OF
both houses, Is not so much as to the
size of the committee as between u
| committee OF the Legislature as pro-
posed by tho Finance Committees. with
authority to employ expert assistance,
| and a tax commission made up of spe-
cialists appointed by the Governor
The Finance Committee plan calls for
q committee of twcnty--twclve from
the House and eight from the Senate
TO be named MS follows: one Delegate
from each of the ten congressional dis-
tricts and TWO Mt large. one senator
from each of the tive geographical
| grand divisions OF the State and three
at large.
There has been much criticism of the
size of this COMMITTEES as unnecessarily
large and unwieldy. and a number OF
members, Including some of the Rich
monn delesatlon, have declared for a
smaller Of H. seven I'VE or nine
| officers of each House. 1t has been
suggested that In addition to a small
| on the adjournment OF the present SEES
SION and, with the aid of experts. do
the detailed work OF drawing the tax
Finance Committees of the House and
Senate meet in Richmond q week or
eial session to consider the bills Of
fered by the special committee, and be
eady TO report TO their respective
houses on their converting.
Not Welded TO Any Number.
y, chairman A.5G. Weaver, OF the House
II don't think that there is going to
be any serious fight over the number
that shall constitute the taxation COM
mere detail. doubt if any one is
welded to any particular number, and
WHISTLER IL be twenty or twelve or
| long as the committee is to be a legis-
lative one. 1t is idle in my opinion to
talk about an outside body or COM
| but little weight with the Legislature
! We have tried that plan before, and
the State spent about $1,000 with no
The members OF the General As
s sem 70 are ERE responsihie to the people;
upon them. and dare say that there
are but few members who would like
| to stand sponsor for bill drawn by
experts who share no such respon-
The committee should not BIO too
small; neither should it be too large.
| and calibre to assure. at least. a pr!ma
facie respect for Its finding.
Might Accomplish Nothing.
| II am firmly OF the opinion that TX
we were to select a commission OF five
composed in part of experts, history
| would simply repeat itself and an
| extra session would breed expense
rnther than relief. 1 believe that
every section of the State should be
represented on the committee; other
| wise dissatisfaction is sure to follow.
and we should at least start united and
harmUnious if anything is to be nc
i-complished.
"a certain member OF the Richmond
Chamber, of Commerce has stated that
an outside commi ssion was necessary.
because the Legislature was incapable
OF ueallnS with the question. / don t
agree with him 1t is true that we
shall need the advice of experts, but
! with this advice and assistance, l feel
| confident that there is enough ability
| and patriotism In the General Assembly
TO handle the question. We must max
| up our minds at the outset, however,
! 10 lay aside selfish interests, and start
| the task in spirit OF harmony, pa :
| triotism and strong determination
| to do our duty rs best we SEQ It,"