Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-02

az a happy solution of tho problem,
that some satisfactory plan be evolved
from all of the available plans. Mr..
Dodson devoted the greater part of
his time to funny stories that kept his
audiences laughing for half an hour.
HARRY Il. HOUSTON CLEARLY
OUTLINES SITUATION
County. followed. He spoke In a
semihumorous vein, after beginning his
remarks with the declaration that he
expected to vote for some satisfactory
form of segregation He said there were
to this time four roads before the
General Assembly to follow in the few
days remaining before the end of the
session. one Of these roads leads to
nothing, he specified and j hope none
of us Will take that road"
The second road leads the tax COM
mission Mr.. Houston pcrsued, and he
added that he could not take that road
in the light of the information at
hand. The third road he said. lis
the re- 70 segregation. l am dis
posed follow 1t. 1t seems to lead
to something desirable. The fourth
road is the way to compromises"
He recalled the report of the proceed
ing Tax Commission. saying that many
Of the hest informed men in the State
on the subject of taxation were then
ardent segrcgationists. He named Con-
gresham Swanson. Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Ellyson, Dr. ID. :. Freeman and
others. He recalled that he had him
self supported that report most ear
nestly.
WILLING TO STAND ny
AUDITOR MOORE'S FIGURES
Rcvcrting to the figures submitted
with the present report. he said he was
willing To acknowledge that there will
be deficit. He thought. however. that
rather than otherwise. That defici.
will he made UP by collections from real
and personal property" he added.
Questioned by Mr.. Pitts. Mr.. Houston
said he was willing TO accept
thcutic figures that were prepared by
state Auditor Moore and Endorsed by
Governor stuart Suppose there should
he deficit of 100000" he said when
that is divided bet, cen twcnty-four
cities and 100 coun..es II VIII not
amount to great deal"
He said that no fair comparison
could he made between Virginia and
some of VIC States where the commits
sion form was in vogue, and where a
system OF taxation that almost APP
preached equalization had preceded it.
In some respects Virginia is different
he said. from any other of the United
states
IF I thought for a moment that
segregation would divorce some Of the
committee from the rest Of the State as
the gentleman from Page puts it,
would not vote for it. But | am not
TO he mislcd in this important cues
ton Mr.. Houston held the floor three
quarters of an hour. and was given n
hearty round of applause at the CON
clusion OF his address
HORNER ARGUES FOR
COMMISSION PLAN
Delegate Guy Z. fIorner. of South
hmpton, delivered an interesting adj
dress In support of the commission
plan. j. n. Johnson. of Scott, fol-
lowed. arguing for the segregation
system of taxation, arguing that the
commission form was opposed to the
principles Of home rule.
"A tax commission sitting in Rich
mond. with autocratic power to go into
my county and your county to remove
the commissioner of the revenue or the
assessor ut will, is not what we want
in my county, and If you adopt that
plan YOU Will find the whole State in
opposition to IL in the course Of time"
lie said.
Judge Martin Williams. of Giles. the
next speaker congratulated the Speak
cr and the House on the approaching
end of the special session He said no
regarded the problem about to be set
tied the most important with which
the General Assembly has dealt in
mary years.
Il am farther from being convinced
tonight than ever before" he said.
that we have a right to put upon the
people of the State Tax Commission
that will give them no voice in this
great question of taxation. Recalling
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