The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-20
PROMINENT CITIZENS
EXPERT TAX DODGERS
Examiner William FL. Sands So Re-
ports to the State Tax
Commission.
MILLIONS HAVE BEEN OMITTED

Suggests Prompt Prosecutions OF
Prominent Men for Falsely Swear
ing to Tax Returns, Under Perjury
Section OF Code.
Citizens OF large wealth and inhu-
ence in Virginia some Of whom hold
positions Of prominence and great re-
sponsibiiity IN the state. but none Of
whom he specifically names, are ac-
cused Of perjury by Major William II
Sands. Examiner of Records for :he
Tenth District. In paper he has sub
mitted TO the state Tax Commission
for the information of that body
These men and many others he
charges with swearing falsely for the
purpose or evnding payment OF their
just taxes Astonishing disclosures
are MADE with reference to tax
lodging that has been persisted in for
many years. The Commonwealth and
the mechanic. tho artisan. the farmer
the small householder and others of
moderate means have been the suffer
ers The examiner Of records lays en-
phasis or that fact, showing that the
81 burden Of the rich man has been car
ried upon the shoulders or the poor.
The suggestion Major Sands makes
TO the Tax Commission. which lis now
In session and whose program OF pro-
cedure may be shaped to meet unsus-
pected conditions revealed b. the en-
anner. are summed up briefly thus:
WANTS REDUCTION IN CHARGE
FOR PEOPLE OF SMALL MEANS
On the general subject Of taxation he
says that reductions can be and should
be made at once for the benefit Of peo-
pie of moderate means
On the question of equalization:
There can be none untn there is a
disclosure OF holdings by wealthy tax
~ payers,
on segregation: Il, is Impossible"
he tells the Tax Commission. until you
are Informed OF values of things or
properties justly available for segre-
CATION. though You can guess at IL or
continue the burden on the small tax
payer"
The remedy be prcscribes is ap-
pointment BY the Governor or state
view assessments made by Commits
sioaers Of Revenue. giving them power
TO pei disclosures and imposing &c
we're penalties for false returns
Speaking Of the evasion Of taxes hy
making false oath. Mator Sands saws
Il know the facts Many would dis.
like TO have their sworn tax returns
exposed For years some have sought
10 abolish the Office OF examiner but To
one and ali making that attempt. I
have only 10 refer 70 their individual
cases TO show the reasons actuating
their move. This applies not only to
tho walthy. but to others"
While no reference is contained in
the report 20 what the once he is
holding is worth to the examiner. IL
Is, learned that his commissions
amounted last year in Richmond 70
$4,000 and in Henrico County 10 ap.
proximatelT S27oo. This Was brought
on after tho Tax Commission began
consideration OF the paper handed IN
by Examiner sands
FINDS MILLIoNAIREs WITH
NO PROPERTY RETURNS
he SAYS:
In communication addressed to
the chairman OF Your commission. un.
der date OF June 10. 1914, in speak
ing Of the work of the Office OF FIX.
amincr of Records Of this. the Tenth
District. / wrote that:
The examinations Of many thou.
sands tax returns. covering years in
each case. have been made by me and
almost without exception there has
been strange omission to list in
Il tangible property Mulionaires re-
turn none. other reputed wealthy men
follow their example. and il Is only
~ necessary that a most cursory exam.
iua'ion be made 20 demonstrate that
this character OF property escapes tan
alton, other than 10 q very limited en-
tenn and that in the hands OF those OF
moderate means Most frequently those
crying for tax reform are those I have
found heretofore paying little II any
Intangible personal tax. but those who
doubtless sooner later apprehend
they may be orertaken In their err
- roneous returns together with those
holding large amounts OF bonds. notes
stocks and money. who would place
the entire taxes on the land owner or
the person owning a small amount OF
visible personal property.
My examination has been con
fined not only 10 the estates OF de-
- cedents. for have extended II to those
living for the sake of conpa rison. and
In my office you Will find the returns OF
wealthy men and come of them holding
responsible positions in this State. and
contributing TO the support Of the
= State less than 50, excluding the CAPT
= tat!on tax. and this is the rule rather
: than the exception
COULD FILL STATE TREASURY
TO OVERLOOKING.
There is a remedy for this false
swearing and II has only TO be used
to see the Golfers OF the State ove--
flowing and reductions of these taxes
rendered not only possible. but man
- datory To demonstrate this pick out
the names Of dozen wealthy men Of
this State and let an examination OF
their tax returns covering a period CT
ten TO twenty years be made, and me-.
the results.
The most important office in tho
state is that of Commissioner OF the
Revenue, and yet how often is /; that
i IS filled with some ignorant. worth
less or incompetent man, and again
when the Office is filled with an honest
o. competent party who fearlessly and
intelligently discharges his duty. ef-
forts are made TO bring about his de-
feat
Now that ] am before you, shall
- give just concisely as possible my
observations and experience in the tax
Investigations, and offer some suR-
gestions, which ] hope wiz not be m
appropriate"
He reminds the Tax Commission
that for years he has held to the the
DRY that taxes can be decreased with
? proper listing or assessment Of in
tangible property.
OWNERS LIST WE'RE BAGATELLE
AS COMPARED WITH HOLDINGS
He adds:
Il am still of the same opinion. With
in the last sixty days acting under
the instructions of the Auditor and
the Attorney-General. there has been
returned through this Office on nc
count of omitted assessments. inton
gible property to the value of 1o.491.