The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-09
Objection M ade by
Members to Cost of
Large Committee.
HOUSE DEBATING
EN- A BLING ACT
While Amendments Are Being
Discussed Regular Calendar Is
Becoming Much Congestcd.
One Hundred and Fifty
Eight Bills Ready
for Action.

While there is practical agreement
among members of the General Assem-
bly, that there should be an extra ses-
sion for the consideration of tax re-
FORM there is wide divergence OF
Views as to the constitution Of n com
mittee to sit between the adjournment
OF the present session and the as
sembling of the special session to study
the subject and report bills reforming
the entire State system OF taxation
The matter was discussed for several
hours by the House Finance Commit
tee on Saturday afternoon in executive
session. and the committee will take
the matter UP again this morning at 10
o'clock.
Chairman Weaver said last night
that there was practical unanimity i'm
the committee as to the necessity for
tax reform at an extra session, but
that the committee had not yet reached
an agreement as to tho method by
which the new plan of taxation should
be prepared. He said he would sug-
gest TO his committee to-day the ad-
visibility or holding q joint conference
with the Senate Finance Committee Of
which Senator Echols is chairman. with
a view of presenting to the General
Assembly definite plan Of operation
Eighteen Committee.
The resolution now pending before
the House Finance Committee proposes
the appointment of joint committee
OF eighteen members. each OF whom
shall receive Sl0 day while sitting. to-
Scther with mileage and expenses. This
special joint committee on taxation is
charged with the duty of fully con-
siderIng the whole system of taxation
which is now in force In the Common
wealth. and also the existing statutes
for the assessment and collection of
taxes and other revenues" 1t ia to re-
port what changes in the present sys-
tenn Will be advisable and within the
constitutional power of the General
Assembly to adopt; also changes in ex-
listing statutes for the assessment and
Icollection of taxes TO make them more
equitable, just and fair In their opera :
tion. and better adapted to the purpose
of raising the necessary revenues for
the support OF the government
The pending resolution says that the
committee shall Immediately on ad-
journneat of the present session, or
ganize and proceed with all conven-
lent haste to make the inquiry and
report: shall thoroughly consider the
whole subject OF taxation, and prepare
and report to 4 special session of tho
General Assembly to be hereafter
called q complete, logical and consist
ent system Of taxation under the pres
ent Constitution, and shall prepare for
the special session n written form of
feet the system of taxation recon-
mended. The committee has under the
resolution power to employ clerks.
stcnographers, attorneys ana experts
as may be necessary to enable 1t to
discharge the duties imposed upon It,.
and to pay such clerks. experts and
stenographers such reasonable COM
pensation ms may be thought proper"
When the committee has prepared Its
-
fact to the Governor. who is requested
under the terms Of the resolution -
call special session OF the General
Assembly to consider it.
object to Expense Involved.
Objection to the above plan Is main
~ on account Of the size of the com
mittee. Eighteen members at $40 q
day will cost the State $50 a day,
while with clerks. stenographers. ex-
perts. printing and other expenses, the
running cost of the committee sessions,
1t is claimed, VIII not be less than
$3.50 per day. AS the committee ma
continue In session for from SIX
months to year before completing
its work and requesting the calling OF
the special session, the total cost may
be anywhere from $4,000 to $4,000.
special session Of the General AS
sembly lasting thirty days, with the
pay and mileage OF 140 members print
ing and other necessary expenses. viii
cost from $4,000 to $4,000 Accord
ing to these calculators, therefore,. tho
new taN bill will have cost tho State
by timo 1t is enacted, from Sso,"Oo 10
$4,000 1t - conceded that 1t VIII
he fully worth the outlay to the State
to have Just and equitable system or
taxation, placing the burden OF sup
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