The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-15
DEFINES LIMITS
COMMISSIONS POWER

It should be understood that the
powers, duties and compensation Of
the congressional district commissions
will expire when the assessments made
by them shall be reported to the gem
eral tax commission. and that the
powers. duties and compensation OF
the general tax commission shall ex-
pire whenever the reports of all the
cities and counties shall have been
made to the auditor of public accounts
and passed upon by the courts, or the
time for appeal shall have expired
After the aforesaid assessment has
been made, ! recommend the appoint
ment OF permanent tax commission
which shall be charged with the du-
ties OF equalizing assessments, and
generally supervising all the officers
charged with the duties Of assessing
and collecting taxes, and also charged
with the power and duty OF report
ing for removal to the circuit Judge
OF the county or the corporation court
OF the city, any OF the local officers
who shall fell to discharge their du-
ties Upon such report the judge or
court should cause reasonable notice
to be given to the officer reported.
and upon its return should try the
move the officer and appoint hts
SUCCESSOR
As a matter of pressing. need and
in the best interest Of the Common
wealth, I recommend the immediate
passage of an act, with an emergency
clause, putting a nominal tax on bank
deposits In place of the present law
II this is not done before the COM
mencement of the tax year the with
Hrox Of Gytrh dennAfsS rrf v,y,1n
the banks, and. through them. ma
terially interfere with the business OF
the State. Such a law will, in my
opinion, bring money to- our State,
and contribute to its prosperity. But
better reason for a nominal tax on
this kind Of property is, that almost
always the deposits come from stocks
bonds or other property taxed, or
constitutes a part Of income, ALSO
taxed, and u sishply placed in bank
for safety and convenience until paid
out in the ordinary course OF business
The present tax, is, therefore. unjust
In this connection. however, and
inasmuch as there might be book
changes OF bonds, notes, taxable
stocks, and other evidences OF debt,
into bank deposits In order to evade
the payment Of tax. such transfers
Ut any pretended purchase of nom
taxable securities. or purchases to
evade the tax laws should be made
a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
the offender shall pay a fine equal
to five times the amount of tax he
endeavored to save, and should also
be required to pay the said tax
/ renew my recommendation that
a small rate, not to exceed fifty cents
on the hundred dollars. OF which
thirty cents should go to the county or
city. and twenty cents to the State. be
placed upon all Intangible personal
property and be the only tax. either
State or local, to be assessed upon this
class Of property. Where this plan has
been tried. as in Maryland and other
States, ii has worked we'll. and added
largely TO the revenue received from
intangible personal property.
All persons, corporations and firms
paying taxes on income TO the fed
eral government should be required to
furnished the commissioner OF his
county or city with a copy OF his
assessment. and the auditor Of public
accounts should have prepared and
furnished to all taxpayers, on request,
blank form corresponding with those
furnished by the officers of the gen.
eral government.
IT might be we'll to change the
method Of taxing public service cor
porations, but this h matter which
can walt until others more important
have been passed upon.
In view OF their present condi-
ton, I recommend the appointment
Of a commission to consist Of lawyer.
the auditor of public accounts. and a
commissioner or reconnaissance OF
the revenue. whose duty It shall be
to carefully 60 over. revise and codify
the tax laws OF the State, and report
to the next general assembly.
It is sincerely hoped that the
recomm endations OF this message may
meet with favorable consideration
from the general assembly.