The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-20

amount listed by them the last year OF
their life amounted 10 abou, $4,000
OF intangible property. the average
value of their intangible property be-
inE $1,000. These thirteen parties
whose returns were examined. in their
lifetime were rated as people of means
some of them being worth in intang BILE
property over 100000 Now the qucs-
tions actually arise, how could these
things exist? Tho answer Is simple.
II is because during their life they
were their own assessor, and IS such
cNaded or made returns TO suit them
selves
II am confident that with the CO.
operation OF the officers of the law.
such as we ar now receiving. ~ this
district alone from $4,000 900 to $50,
100000 of omitted intangible property
can he added to the assessment tax
roll within the next sixty days. WHAT
is true of this city and this section. !
feel satisfied is true OF other cities Of
the Commonwealth.
The examiner offers some sugges-
tions which arc based upon his own
study Of the questions Ne discusses.
Nhis personal observation and his In
vestigations.
MAKES SERIES
or RECOMMENDATION
These are given in q sequence Of Ave
rs follows:
~ 81 Ilitl property 10 the
value Of $1,000. be placed al 2 nominal
rate Of taxation 10 every citizen Of the
Commonwealth. This will give relief
10 more people and he more far-reach-
/ ing than any income exemption that
might be granted. and q small recon
pence for those who have always
borne more Than their just proportion.
Second---'The rate Of taxation on in.
tangible property should not oXcead
figures recommended in your message.
namely. 30 cents on the 500. this IN
lieu OF all municipal or local taxation
, This is more than the holders Of in
tangible property arc entitled to.
"Third-Thc counties should have not
exceeding TWO commissioners one
should be preferable. then there would
he no incentive for unequal valuations
Of tangible property within tn- coun.
~ limits.
''Fourth--The Auditor. or some one
appointed b. him. or under his super
vision. should be empowered 10 review
the returns OF all commissioners of the
revenue, and see that they discharge
properly their duties In listing for tax
alton the citizens Of their respective
counties, with power to remove Tot
failure to proDerlv discharge their
duty, with AUTHORITY to examine par
ties under oath ard call for person
and papers A. long as commissioners
are lccted, II viii bc exceedingly hard
10 secure those VINO IearleSSIy G.s-
charge their duty, for no sooner has
commissioner made 7 good and e.
ilcient officer. and served his State
faithfully. than the wealthy taxpayers
OF a community vii! seek his defeat
] have known instances
'Fifth-lf moneys in the banks are
TO be relieved OF any portion Of the
burden Of taxation. safeguards should
be thrown around exemptions. - as
10 prevent shifting of securities for
evasion of the Law. and only such ulrn-
eys as hsve been on deposit for thirty
days or more in banks should he .u.
titled 10 this nominal rate Of taxation.
and should 2 nominal rate OF taxation
be placed upon moneys in bank the
bank should be held responsible for
TAX IN the aggregate with power 10
charge the same against accounts Of
the dcpositors, or If banks prefer the
might bc permitted TO furnish the
names 81 their depositors with bank
balances as Of February l. I take II,
however, they would not care 10 10
this. It F one Of the hurdles; things
In tho world 10 make people honest.
and when II comes TO eyading taxes il
does seem as IL % per cent Of the hold
property feel justified IN doing thingc
they would not thinl; OF doing IS pri-
vatc citizens. and swearing to papers
which constitute nothing less than per
jurT. believe the conviction of u q
or three because OF false swearing
would have a most wholesome effect