Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1914-03-07
zoo M|LL|0NA|RES
IN WEST VIRGINIA
Who Will Pay Income Tax This
Year-What the List
Shows


cannot be said It's money and re-
sources are divided as evenly as in
other states of the greatest nation of
the Western Hemisphere. The per
capita wealth according to figures
compiled, shows a very nice total,
but most Of the big chunks Of money
seems to be divided among about 200
men, who can rightfully be named
mtllionaires. In the last ten years
great impetus has been added to the
efforts of the citizens with the result
that many fortunes have sprung into
prominence.
West Virginia raises taxes for the
support of the state, counties, county
districts and school districts, on
basis of approximately $1,OO546 for
every man, woman and child in the
state, the population Of which was
1921, 119 in 1910. The amount is the
actual assessed per capita for all
property in West Virginia. the total
assessed valuation OF which is ST.
100000, 100000. Some might say this
does not cover the total resources;
tn t the billion dollars assessed valu-
alton does not cover more than half
Of the total resources, If all of the in
tangible property could be brought
on the books in Charleston. And yet
the plea may be put up it does not
cover the millions Of dollars invested
in bank stock, municipal bonds, and
other corporations. Few know that
West Virginia is one Of the most
strict on tax exemptions Of any state
in the country. Not even municipal
bonds are exempt
Tax Exemptions.
The only interests exempt are the
properties used for educational, liter
airy, scientific, religious or charitable
purposes, and all cemeteries and pub
lie property, besides the government
bonds, which West Virginia boasts of
but few, compared with other com
monwealths Of the Nation. This ex-
emvtion is due to the act Of Congress
making them such. If an owner does
not pay a tax on his corporation
bonds, then the corporation itself is
called upon to pay tax on it's CAPT
tai stock, which is said to total $425,-
900 per annum.
tax Of six cents on each 500 valu-
alton, license tax on whiskey, tobac-
co, etc., collateral Inheritance, tax on
charters or certificates Of incorpora-
ton, tax on insurance premiums, au-
tomObile licenses, fees from state
auditors and secretary of states Of
fees, Interest on deposits, state fund
inmates In reform school, and West
Virginia asylums. 1t can be seen
that few interests escape the watch.
full eye Of the tax commissioner.
Auto For Every 23s Persons.
Taking into consideration the
roads Of the state, and the conditions
prevailing in regard to auto traffic,
it might be said, the mountain state
stands in the lead in point of automo
bles owned by citizens. 1t is admit
ted that other states have more ma
chimes, but have better roads. The
western states can boast Of their
large number of self-propelling vehi-
cles, but put one of the western own
ers on West Virginia road and he
would be helpless, his own road en-
vironment being superior to ours.
One state alone in the West consist
ing mostly Of farmers boasts Of one
machine to every 4S people, far more
than West Virginia. According to
the statistics furnished by state aud.
itor J. s. Darst, during the first
month Of 1914, there were $40 IL
censes filed in the Capitol This does