davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
TAXATION

The people OF Virginia demand, I
think wisely. the passage Of such laws
for the taxation OF real and personal
property. whether tangible or intangi-
bile. which will compel each citizen
to contribute his or her share OF the
money needed by the State for the
protection of the rights Of persons
and property: for the care OF the un-
fortunates who are unable to care for
themselves, and which viii make vir-
ginia progressive and put ii abreast
of the States having the wisest laws
on this important subject.
Having been q member Of the tax
commission under the act approved
March II. 1910. and having given a
great deal OF thought to the subject
before and since the report OF the
commission TO the general assembly
Of 1919, | desire to submit certain
suggestions and recommendations for
your consideration. and. I trust, for
your approval.
I approached this subject in 1910
with the conviction that there must
be either segregation, or an eaualiza-
ton OF assessment in the different
counties and cities of tho State, and I
then strongly favored segregation
This, of course. would have made
equalization unnecessary, burt would
not have done away with the necessity
for fair assessment of the property
Of our citizens. as such q valuation
largely determines the wealth and the
relative influence and importance OF
our State. After a careful exan,ina-
ton OF the resources of the State
and Its political subdivisions, while a
member of the tax commission and
since 1t ceased to exist, and specially
in the light of a plan submitted by
the fiscal officer Of the State, az much
interested In and just as desirous OF
reaching n proper solution OF the tax
problem as am. the conclusion has
been reache dthat no plan OF scgrega-
ton IL workable which makes the In
come OF the State. or any considerable
part of 1t. depend upon a per centum
tax to be paid by counties and cities
on property the valuation OF which is
wholly under the power and control
of the counties and cities. Such 4
plan, even with an honest desire on
the part Of the cities and counties,
which j, of course, assume, could not
result In an equal assessment, as there
would be no controlling or Nipervia-
ing tribunal familiar with general con-
ditions and charged with the duty Of
equalization And as II seems to be
admitted that the plan above mem
my contention, II correct, would seem
to dispose Of It.
The fundamental principle OF tax
alton Ii equality. 1t should not be
said that each citizen must bear his
share OF the public burden. but that
each should contribute his share to
the expense of government, which, II
properly administered is not q burden,
but protection, q benefit and bless
ing.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
HAVE COMMISSION
TO ASSESS VALUES

Fl To secure. therefore. this funda-
mental. fair and equal valuation
which shall Mt once nix the amount
OF the citizens contribution 70 tho
and determine the wealth
ana largely tho influence ana power
OF the State, I recommend that three
men be appointed from each
district to HssesI md
Determine the average value OF the
real and tangible personal eAkate In
the several counties and cities In the
diatrict. In fixing the value Of the
real estate. the clerk Of each county
should b. required to make out. 9 list
Of me 661e1 inTh his county; fpf the prey.
c1aine giYth the hsasmber ~
9rres ann pF3ces and upon thia Infer
y & ~ m stsllan1, IN ~ c663{ M
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
DELINQUENT TAKES
With slight changes. repeat my
made TO the general

With slight changes. repeat my
Recommendations made to the general
assembly OF 1912. As treasurers sue
coed themselves there Is no way by
which = settlement can be made with
the county treasurer for county and
school funds II il true that a state
ment can be made and the balance
due by tho treasurer ascertained, blu,
a. his 10 the only hand authorized to
receive the money. there can be no
actual payment. I, therefore, recon-
mend that the treasurer be required
AT the July or August meeting OF the
board Of Supervisors Of his county.
~ the Case may be. or within sixty
days thereafter. to settle his accounts
with the supervisors for that year a.
required BY section Ss3 Of the code
And that he b required 1t tn August
meeting in each year to settle with
fhA county ocho0I board, which Sot-
tlenaent should b nada before tho
co6nmtnsioner 81 accounts of hio coun-
~ ~ ~ from any catee ~ cgTnnpk
sesEss - :
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
METHOD OF
TRIAL. OF APPEALS

At the trial OF said appeal the at
torney for the Commonwealth should
be required to defend the application.
and the attorney-general or his as
sistant, whenever deemed necessary
by the Encouragement or required
by the general tax commission, should
appear with the attorney for the COM
monweafth OF the county or city. The
appear with the attorney for the Conn
pleading than the application and the
answer filed by the Commemorative
attorney and attorney general or hfs
assistant, In cases in which either
shall appear. upon such evidence a.
may be produced by either party. and
the report be confirmed or the av-
era9e or aggregate values be lowered
or raised by the court according to
the right OF the case. From the de-
cision OF the circuit court or corpo-
ration court the applicants or the
should have the right
III appeal. within thirty days. to the
Supreme Court OF Appeals, upon the
evidence submitted to the trial court
which should be taken down md
certified by the tsfal Judge as In
other cases. And upon such appeal
the Supreme Court OF Appeals shall
have Jurisdiction to try the case and
enter such order confirming the re-
port as made. or lowering or raising
values as may seem to 1t 1ust right,
and It's decision shall be final as to
such values, except improvements may
be added each year as now provided
for until the next regular, legal as
sesssnent. Every such appeal shall
be put on the privilege docket OF the
court. shall be heard and disposed
OF a. speedily as may be. at the term
Of the court after the appeal wherever
the court may convene. and without
regard for the locality from which the
appeal comes.
After the average value Of the land
and tangible personal property shall
have been fixed ~ aforesaid, or after
the right Of appeal shall have ex-
pired. the assessment Of the several
tracts Of land and tangible personal
property shall bc made ~ now pro-
viled by law. 10 that the average
value per acre Iof land, and the
average value 81 tangible personal
Eprppes<y ~ fixed ~ The reports az -
detAs1n1nsd ~ the courts shall BE
~; =;
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15

The auditor reports. after meeting
oil OF the obligations OF the State OF
every kind. an actual balance in the
treasury Of general funds on the seth
of September. 1919, of S233.s24. 40.
which would have been forty thousand
more. or 3373,S2440. II the demands
OF our institutions had not made 1t
necessary TO pay out $40. 10000 dur
lng September instead Of after the
first OF October. according 10 the or
binary practice.
During the four years preceding
my administration the secretary OF the
Commonwealth collected s72.222.51.
and during the last four years $685.
e23.51. the difference being the tax on
automobiles not In force during the
three years of the first period. For
the year 1914 this tax amounted to
Sa3.849.35. and At the rate now
CHARGED the tax on automobiles dur
ing 1914 will greatly exceed that sum.
~ the number used by our citizens
10 constantly Increasing.
During the four years from 1908
to 1909. inclusive. taxes were assessed
through the State corporation COM
mission amounting to 34,34S.512.24.
and for the four years from 1910 to
1918. inclusive. there were assessed
taxes amounting to $5,87S,3S2-sS. an
increase OF $l.526,61s.s4 during that
period. or this increase $204,S77.1i
was derived from water. heat, light
and power companies, taxed for the
first time In 1910. BY act approved
March -. 1919. the franchise tax on
these companies was reduced from
ono per centum. the rate fixed by
act approved February IS, 1919, to
one half Of one per centum on gross
receipts. AZ these companies receive
the same benefit from the payment of
franchise tax enjoyed by other COM
pAniee paying double their rate, ! see
no reason why there should be n dis
crimination In their favor. and rec
ommend that the uniform rate OF one
par centum on gross receipts be re-
stored.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
Interest on a n G d
bonds, increasing from
year to year, and in
Aggregatinx s21o.sss.o 90
s7.sss.oo

Under the active administration Of
our auditor l anticipate for the State
larger revenue during 1914 than for
any previous year of it's history. but
earnestly renew my recommendation
for the accumulation and preserva-
ton of surplus of $500. 100000 to
meet any contingency which may arise
in our State. II one or more Of our
great institutions should be destroyed
by fire. or IL conditions, which hap
PLY are not likely to exist should re-
quire the calling out OF the military
arm Of the government for the en-
forcement Of the law. we should have
the money in our treasury with which
to restore our buildings and pay our
soldiers.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
SHOWS FINANCIAL
CONDITION OF STATE

I commend to the careful perusal
and consideration Of the general as
sembly The information contained and
recommendations made in the first
twenty -three pages tRoman numer-
als) Of the auditors report, and take
freE7a the FePeft proper I he eiiew'tssts,
extracts showing In condensed form
the financial condition Of the State.
During the fiscal year
ending September 80.
1918, the revenues
Of the State for general
appropriation amounted
TO Sf,0o5,Gi1ss
Special receipts not avail
able for the support OF
the government, but 10
the support Of the de-
partment Of agriculture.
and other agencies. -. 4se.es5.S6
Making total receipts. 81, 46b.sTe.74
Receipts for year end
ing September 80. 1912.
general md special
funds ............ 7.o5t,s41.on
Increase for 1914 .s 4i4.231.74
This increase Is made up OF
Increase In general funds, 74.ooi.42
Collections from II. r. &
F.. r. Il. .--........,. lei,soetos
Increase OF special funds. 72,4:47s
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
DISTRICT HOMES
District Homes.

AT the last session OF the general
assembly 1 recommended the estab-
hshment OF a home In every con-
greMsional district 10 take te place OF
the present county and city aims
houses. and to be supported by each
county and city In proportion to the
number of inmates furnished by each.
In the Night OF the figures which have
been furnished by the State board of
charities and corrections, I earnestly
renew my recommendation.
Number OF persons sup
ported in afinshouses
during 1918 ....... ASIA
Value of real estate 81, 061, 1856. 90
Cost Of maintenance ... 214.771.03
Superintendents' aala-
aries ............... 2s.s17.oo
Value Of crops made
and consumed ....... 3o.s24.os
Total cost. not includ-
Ing interest on real
Persons aided in. their
poor 6.0s3
Cost ..-........ s 90,590.0 90
Salaries OF 0verseers $780,. fT,692.06
Total cost I. ,ioa.2s2.os
These figues chow that 1o.s47 we're
SUPPORTED or aided last year by the
cities and counties 81 the State at
an expeps1 Of $171,1a4,11. +
The proceAds n& the gale Of the
RAJ Z estate belon&1ng " the Aalms-
alANses sopid - lacisnt Sc pnr-
! 5 s. , m !. &. &;
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
TREASURES SHOULD
MAKE SETTLEMENTS

1t Is also recommended that the
time for offering bills in the two
houses be limited by joint resoIti-
tons to the fifteenth OF February. and
no bill be received after that date ok,
cept by unanimous consent.
1t would be great help to the Gov
ernor, and 1 think to the State, to
appoint a joint committee Of thre0
from the house, and two from the
senate to take charge OF and pre-
pare bills. and In every proper way
carry into effect the recommendations
OF the executive in his message to tina
general assembly. The position OF the
governor makes him familiar with the
institutions and agencies Of the State.
and brings him In touch with Tire
needs and sentiment Of the peopIe.
As a State officer he looks into the
larger field OF the States interest ~
distinguished from those purely local.
and his recommendations generally
grow out Of his knowledge OF legf0-
lation needed for the best interest at
tire people gained by the actual work -
ings OF the law of which he has gem
eral oversight. He Is not In a Pc
sitlon to give, and space will not per-
NIT him to give, all the information
he has on the subjects dealt with In
his messages, and this opportunity will
be offered by communicating with thAs
Joint committee and its members and
through them with the general 49,
sembly. 1t ia my decided opinion u
that the nearer the executive and the
members OF the general assembly ret
togther, and the more they confer
with each other about the SfAt4sA
business, the better will that bussneSA
be promoted and conducted. Theirs
ought to be no jealousy between them III
and there Is no danger of encroAE4f.
ment OF the one upon the province 04
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15

ASIA
214.77l.03
2s.Sf7.oo
-'1I lIl1a 500. .l
so,s24.os
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
COTTON PRICES
STILL ADVANCING
All Options Make New High
Ground, with Slight Reaction
Near the Close.

The cotton market showed continued
activity and strength yesterday, with all
deliveries making new high ground for
the movement and with May contracts
selling at 1Ii5c. or "a points above
Wednesdays closing price. Ii would seem
from the action of prices and the char
acter of the trading that a big short in
terest had remained outstanding for May
delivery, in hope that the local stock
would become a pressure before the end
of the month. and there was a compare
lively active demand yesterday from both
foreign and Wall Street sources. The
strength OF May proved alarming to July
shorts, and while the bullish news OF the
day was chiefly with reference 10 the new
crop outlook the old crop positions led
the advance. Closing prices We're some
what off from the best under realizing.
with the market steady at a net gain OF
p to 80 points On old crop. while later
deliveries were points higher to points
lower. The government crop report is TO
be issued at noon on Monday. Southern
spot markets were unchanged to sc
higher, and the local market advanced 20
points to 1i5Oc for middling upland; no
sales; delivered on contract, go bales.
Local contract prices:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
Reneivsrship Prospect Fades.

To-day is the last day for depositing
Missouri Pacific notes under the en-
tension agreement At the close OF
business last night there had been an
encouraging response to the appear lot
deposits but several million doliars
worth Of the notes were still outstand-
ING Withal they were quoted at s1Sa
bid and 90 asked. against sOh to " the
dav before. The public has been toio
reneatedlv that if the notes could not
no extended a receivership for the com
many was practically inevitable; like
wise that all though more iately
substantially ALL" Of the notes woulu
have 10 be deposited 10 make the eA-
tension operative. But in Wall street
,bere is fat disbelief that there VIII De
any receivership. The relatively hish
rrice of the notes and their advance
Yesterday reflect just that disoehei ana
the feeling that the more notes there
ara deposited the better the chances
nil no for having the remainder palo
off At 9ist, or even at 50, the notes
do not indicate absolute CONVICTION thal
they will be paid off on June !, as the
,ndenture stipulates, but they do show
= dissemination on the part of the non
deuositing holders to accept as maj
the declarations of the company anu us
bankers that there will be no cash forth-
coming at the last moment to save the
daV
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
U. p. Loses the ST. Joe.

The St. Joseph & Grand Island road
which a Federal judge in Nebraska mas
lust ordered the Union Pacific to turn
over 10 the minority stockholders, Is
short but important connecting line. The
Union Pacific at Cheyenne splits into two
lines 10 the eastward, the northern one
double-tracked all the way, being the
original main line terminating at Omaha;
the southern one, sfngle-tracked with the
exception of about 70 miles, ends ut Kan
sas City. Between the two there are
several connections but none so direct
as the st. Joseph & Grand Island Grand
Island is the station on the northern Inc
whence the smaller road departs south
east 10 establish a connection with the
southern line. Actually 1t doesn't touch
the line 10 Kansas City, but connects at
AIarysyille, Kansas, with spur that
does. Nevertheless, il is an integral par'
of a short line from Kansas city ana
Topeka TO the Union Pacitic's main line.
Minority stockholders Of the road contend
that il is being managed by the Union
Pacific against their interests, and the
court has sustained them. The decision
does not take away the facilities OF
the ST. Joseph & Grand Island from the
Union Pacific. but the management
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
MONTREAL STOCKS.
MAY WHEAT ST IN CHICAGO
Black Rust Reports Send Prices
Up-Provisions Lower.

Chicago, May 2s.-Discovery of black
rust in Oklahoma carried wheat to-day
up to 81 a bushel, May delivery, the
highest price of the crop year. There
was a nervous feeling at the close, which
was !. TO so above last night. Corn
finished sc off to l4c up. oats shade
10 l2sc down and provisions at u. TO 22i2c
decline. News of the finding of black
rust spores on Oklahoma wheat came
after prices had responded in a moderate
degree to reports OF damage from wind
and rain in Texas and Oklahoma.
The bulge TO 81 for May was ac-
companied by excited buying OF new crop
months. The top figures reached. how
ever, were not fully maintained, as black
rust has rarely been a menace TO winter
wheat. Tightness in the May option was
emphasized by the chartering OF vessel
room for l0oo,oOo bushels TO be shipped
from here to Georgian Bay and Montreal.
There is but one more day for May con-
tracts to run and there was some gossip
as to the chances OF an eleventh-hour
furry among shorts. Range Of prices:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
Replies to F. A. Heinze.

W. o. Allison, president of the Ohio
Copper Company. has addressed another
circular letter TO the stockholders, In
which he says he has received proxies
and pledges covering over 725.0cO shares
Of the stock of the company. or more
than 100 900 shares in excess of majority,
to be used by him at the forthcoming
annual meeting.
81 would not again address the stock
holders upon the subject" adds Mr.. AMI
son. were it not for the fact that Mr..
Heinze Of. Augustus Heinzc) has sent out
a letter dated May %. 1914. which does
not honestly and fairly state the facts
and contains many personal statements
having nothing whatever TO do with the
affairs of your company. but which
want to meet fairly and firmly"
According TO Mr.. Allison. Henze has
caused John l.. Williams, transfer agent
of the Ohio Copper Mining Company, to
refuse 10 make transfers Of the stock.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
Y.ar,s First Dollar Wheat.

Dollar wheat was a fact yesterday. Al
Chicago May contracts touched the TO-
mantle figure for the first time this year.
But dollar wheat. which used to be some
thing exciting, failed to stir the magma
ton of faded Wall Street. For one thins
May wheat has always been a faVori'e
sneculative medium and its fluctuations
have not the force of rapid movements
in the contracts Of other months. To-day
is the last day for delivery SATURDAY
being a holiday, and IL was to have been
expected that there would be hurry
toward the end of the month. Another
thing that served to check excitement
was the wide difference Of May wheat
and wheat of other months, May being
1917 cents a bushel higher than July ana
higher still than the latter months
Plainly, dollar wheat was mere specu-
lative tour de force, having little TO do
with the country's prospects or its whole
available supply.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
Presidents Opinion About
Business Not Shared
by Traders.
CONFUSES CAUSE AND
EFFECT, THEY SAY
Missouri Pacific Notes Advance,
with the Date of Maturity
Close at Hand.

7, ,s hard TO get the frequenters OF
wall Street 70 take the view of busi-
moss that the President does. The no.
ion that the depression is psychology
.o1 does not appeal 10 them. They re-
,use TO forget that last year was
lime OF short crops. They see nothing
genealogical In decreased railroad
.rrinps both gross and net. They de-
clare that the President is mixing
an causes and egects most OF
ALL they are sure that washingtons
Information on the state of business
is continuously and consistently wrong
In the Street there is a feeling tnat
,be administration has an oosession
,,at the representatives of big business
sneak ONLY to deceive, act only 10 40
wrong. refrain from acting only to en-
barrass The gigantic consplracles
which the Treasury Department useo
~ discover against the Currency BIZ
a.. heing rediscovered. il is felt, against
The administrations policies in general.
That washington continues to believe
IN the existence Of conspiracies. even
though its enemies have been proved
Uindnills and focks of sheep, is one OF
the most discouraging things traders
have to contend with. If psychology
has anything TO do with present ousi-
ness conditions, they say, it is at WASH
ineton and not in the rest of the coun-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
TRADING IN THE
CURB SECURITIES
Volume of Business Reduced
Price Changes Narrow
and Irregular.

Price changes on the curb yesterday
we're again small and irregular on vol
ume OF business considerably reduced In
each department. Among the oils Anglo
American was most heavily dealt in.
making a fractional advance. New York
Transit Company. which was off the
active list for over week, declined l
point on report Of the quarterly dividend
reduction from 10 to s per cent. The most
important gains were made in Standard
Of Kansas. improving Q points; Prairie
Oil and Gas. s; Solar Refining. Z, and
Standard Of California and Indiana, 8
points, while South Penn declined 8 and
Pierce OIL points.
Industrials made fractional changes.
Maxwell Motors common and first pre-
ferred improving 4. United Cigar Stores
Company 4 and United Profit Sharing
Corporation H. Riker e. Hegeman was
dull and weak. yielding Il, and National
Cloak and Suit common Il OF a point.
West End Consolidated declined points
and North Butte Development improved
g. Chill Copper Is advanced ~ points.
Missouri Pacific per cent notes (seller
lO were traded in at s0A.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-29
War Makes No Difference.

The Interstate Commerce Commission
has had to decide an interesting question
in connection with the war in Mexico
not the war between the United States
and Mexico, which obviously doesn't
exist II one has the patience to follow the
argument, but the battle royal of Huerta'
Carranza. Villa ct al Grain shippers on
the border asked special storage-in-tran-
sit rates from the Southern Pacific on the
ground that their business was suffering
hardships through the situation in Mex
leo. The Commerce Commission, deciding
that they couldn't have them, declared
in effect that, whatever was going on In
Mexico. it couldn't change rules in the
United States.