The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-18
TO SIGN
RAILWAY TAX BILL
Governor Let's Rolling Stock
Measure Become Law With
out His Approval.
NOT QUITE FAIR TO CITIES
Also Likely to Interfere With
General Plan for Tax Re-
vision Next Year.

On the ground that it's terms arc un-
} J 70 the cities; Governor Stuart re-
tax bill yesterday, the measure becom-
ing Il law without his signature The
governor announced that he favors such
AS Is proposed. but feels that tho np-
portionment In the Williams bill is not
equitable. BY withholding his sigma
lure he does not pledge himself to a
system OF railway taxation which will
pay prominent part in the revision
VI c ane taX system next January.
lowing, statement from the Governor
IN explanation of his failure to sign
The rolling-s stock bill became a law
tonight without the Governors sig
i nature, AS the measure had been in
cral Assembly hnd not yet adjourned.
under the Constitution the measure Is
law.
1T is understood that Governor
stuart approves the principle OF an
equitable distribution of rolling stock
taxes However. the measure as passed
Justice in the matter of distribution OF
taxes on electric railroads. Besides he
thinks Il slightly larger percentage on
70 the cities. Still, the bill came to
nm so late in the actual session as to
prevent its return for amendment with
out endanEering the entire proposition.
RcalizinE that the distribution OF
taxes on rolling stock may be part Of
the general plan OF taxation. t;a2 Gov
ernor withholds his signature, and thus
does not pledge his support to :, single
idea which would affect tho structure
OF tax reform"
Cities Lose Mig Revenue.
The Williams bill provides reap
portionment among the counties OF III @
tax OH the railway rolling stock which
now goes in toto to the city in which
the chief office OF tho railway is To-
Gated II provides that the value OF
the property owned by the railway in
r. n mi I'll,
II runs shall lie made the basis for the
distribution OF the tax. The cities are
not reimbursed for tho use of their
streets. the police protection afforded
and the inspections made.
Thousands of dollars in revenue will
be lost annually TO Richmond, Peters
burg. Norfolk and Roanokc and other
cities under the operation of this law
Its passage was bitterly fought by the
representatives of the cities in the
The General Assembly of 1912 passed
rolling stock tax rcapportionment
bill giving the homo city 20 per cent
and the counties 20 per cent OF the
tan This bill was declared uncon-
stitutional by the state Corporation
Commission. and is now before the
1t is felt by many that it's enactment,
was unnecessary in view Of the fact
that the General Assembly will meet in
of the State tax system. and in all
probability some form of railway tax
other than that on rolling stock will
be substituted.
Stuart Signs Danville Bill.
After IA hearing, attended by large Dele
CATION from Danvillc. Governor Stuart yes
,erday afternoon signed the Green hill, au-
thoriEing change in the charter OF the
city of Danville. The measure provides tina !
the heads OF the municipal public utilities
shall be elected by the people Instead OF
by the City Council
Among the Danvillc men who appeared
Yesterday TO reques. a veto for the bill wore
W. J. Swami. president OF the Board OF Al
nernen; j. II. Penn, president OF the Com
mon Council; 4. B. Darlington, president OF
the Commercial Association and r s. WI
hanson president OF the Tobacco Board OF
Trade.