The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-22
WANT TAX Commission
CONTINUED from First Page.)


outworn and obsolete.
II il admitted that our assessments
are unequal and unjust
It is admitted that the heaviest bur
aens are laid on those least able to
bear them.
1t. is admitted that the material
prosperity. Of the State is. @harnpered
and the mutual confidence between the
various classes of the State il i'm
paired by the discriminatory methods
-nf taxation nnM In use In NirgtnIa-
To solve these difficulties. to re-
move these inequalities. TO lberate the
powers of Virginia, are all within the
hands OF the Legislature to which body
is entrusted the 1awmaking power of
the state, and your committee looks
with confidence to the ultimate wisdom
of the course that the legislature viii
pursue.
AS this task involves great expen-
diture or time and labor, the coilee
ton OF facts. concentration of mind.
ard as the demands upon the time OF
the legislature are such as TO pre-
Guide the proper consideration by them
cf .hese complex and vital problems,
your committee would respectfully sug-
gest the adoption of the following reso-
imtions.
T.aat the general assembly Of vir-
eie.a be requested To pass bill pro-
xidsng-~-
First that q COMMITTEES be appointed.
composed of ave members, of which
llr. r. VI. Page shall be one, one mem
her appointed by each branch of the
general assembly. and two members TO
be appointed by the governor, for the
purpose OF considering and reporting
upon tax reform In Virginia.
Second That such committee will
Re expected to give all the necessary
time TO discharge its duties as speedily
as can be wisely done
Third. That this committee shall be
amply paid. and that ample funds be
a.rp opsisted TO enable them to coll
lset facts bring before them experts
s,sa witnesses and employ clerks. and
iNa. they shall have full power 10
sis3 fon witnesses and compel them TO
tcStffs.
f1fth That upon the receipt OF the
repy.t. the governor shall call spe-
etyl session Of the general assembly of
NrgImia to consider the subject OF tax
q tor and that alone, and pass tax
reform bills. laying before them the
report of said committee.
" a. Hawkins. chairman. Richmond,
NJ. Broden vandervcnter, Norfolk.
Va W. W. Glass. Ir:. Wayneshoro.
Va; H. N. Darnail, Roanoke. Va;
dohn W May. Alexandria, Va; r. III.
Weed. Charlottesville. Va: A. p.
Thorphili. Bent Creek. va; w r..
shelton. Atiee. Va; J. q. Clinedsnst,
Newport News. Va: G.. w. noak.
Tazaweil. Va; Howell NJ Miller,
Washington, Va; John T. Mckinney.
Campbell county. Va
Many Make Talks.
The above resolutions having been
adopted. the afternoon session OF the
conference resolved itself into gen
= erai discussion of conditions. several
speaking from the foor. Tho mat
f,a 4 threshold
during the two previous meetings.
though. and as the members of the con-
ference were unanimous In their ap-
prevail OF tho resolutions adopted the
open discussion did not consume
great while. Several motions express
ing thanks to the chamber of COM
nerce. the press, and thesecretary Tor
the aid which had been given the con-
ference, were made and carried with
out Opposition. whereupon motion
to adjourn received nnaDimous endorse
ncnt.
Partial sexreg alton.
Or. Thomas Walker Page, professor
OF political economy at the University
n OF Virginia, was the principal speaker
at the morning session of the confer
ence. and in his address recommended
the partial segregation plan Tor VIZ
Einia taxation. This plan is a modi-
fcation Of the tenets OF centralized tax
administration and the uncompromising
separation idea I'm any case said
DIR. Page. ''there should be a tax COM
mission and the plan OF partial segre-
cation should be put into effect by
that commission. We need, In Virginia,
a destruction OF our present tax sys-
tenn as complete as the destruction OF
Sodom and GomOrroh.
But we need evolution. too. and
x the kind that grows Of constant thought
/ and study of the situation SO that the
=. til t. aa<-SHv tNf q had @ a
stand as the rule for years to come.
special session Of tho legislature Is
the only method of accomplishing the
purposes OF this conference In my opin-
lon. There are many defects TO our
system, but that which IL found In so
8 many, failure to bring sufficient reve-v
nue. into the State treasury, rs lack
Z tng. This heinz the case / believe IL.
would be wise to lower the tax rate
and increase the assessment to basis
OF the real value of the property as
8 sessed"
over by Edwin p. Cox. speaker of the
house Of delegates, and the afternoon
session by ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ]. Tayy
Tor Ellyson.
business Men Attend.
Each OF the several meetings OF the
4 conference was attended by large mum.
Il bers OF business men, farmers and
members Of the state Legislature. The
chamber Of commerce. which Is respon-
sible for the conference being held,
WAS voted the thanks of the confer
ence for the part which II had played
IN bringing the citizens OF virginia
together for q consideration of the Inn
\ peftant question. Its committee on
q icgT1latIon. named 70 c0nSfdcr thU QueE=
n tiOn Of tax reform nearly ~ year AEo.
& reported 70 the conference thAt AL
y tk6sKh ~ - giyea the as.tter c. !. ri