Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-13
TAX STUDENTS ARE
READY FOR ACTION
Finance Committee of House
Ends Week of Preliminary
Hearings.
MORTGAGE TAX DISCUSSED
Members of Richmond Real Es-
tate Exchange Urge Changes
in Law.

win the ADOPTION or n resolution
calling upon the Attorney q eneral for
an opinion as to the constitutionality
OF proposed bill to tax all forms of
bank deposits. the Finance Committee
Of the House OF Delegates concluded
Its consideration OF the Tax Commits
sion's report yesterday afternoon at
$500 o'clock
While the committee was without
authority to take action on any phase
of the tax problem during the week
devoted TO the two plans OF taxation,
excellent results were obtained in the
way OF Information. The members OF
the Finance Committee Will go into the
special session OF the Legislature to-
day fortified with an intimate knowl-
edge Of both plans of taxation. Hence
they are conCratulating themselves on
their foresight. In granting hearings
to the different business interests and
communities that sent representatives
here during the week, the committee
saved time for the General Assembly.
and made Interruptions from these
sources unnecessary. The result is to
expedite business for the Legislature.
MEMBERS OF COMMISSION
UNABLE TO APPEAR
The members of the State Corpora
tion Commission were prevented by
business of Importance from respond
Ing TO the invitation of the committee
TO appear yesterday and discuss the
public service chapter OF the Tax Com
missions report. AT the afternoon ses-
sion a communication was received by
Chairman Spcssard from Clerk Rich
ard T. Wilson, of the Corporation Com
mission. Mr.. Wilson explained that
the commissioners would be occupied
all day with the Virginia Railway and
Power hearing, but would be glad TO
appear before the committee at the
earliest convenient opportunity
John w. Chalkley, OF the Tax Com
mission. appeared a the afternoon ses-
sion and explained in detail many sec
tions OF the bill providing for a bet
ter system OF collecting delinquent
taxes. Delegate Hugl,.; AZ: White en-
tered actively into this debate. In the
course Of his remarks, Mr.. White said
that the accumulation OF back taxes
due on real estate in Virginia is some
thing enormous. The accumulation of
taxes on real estate purchased In boom
times. he said, Is easily explained. the
land being regarded as OF little value
or no value In some districts
STATE PAYING FEES FOR
RECORDING WORTHLESS DEEDS
He referred In particular TO lands in
Rock bridge. Rockingham and Augusta
Counties. Of which he has personal. and
10 some extent painful. knowledge.
Much OF this land Is valueless," he
said. "and not considered worth the
taxes. l know of some lots that are
on the sides OF mountains almost per-
pendicular. In fact, I have some of
those perpendicular lots myself"
why did you buy lots that have
height without width or length?" Mr.
Chalkley asked him.
Never you mind about that" re-
torted Mr.. White. while the committee
men grinncd broadly around him. "rll
give them to you II you can find them"
Continuing. Mr.. White said: There
are thousands and thousands OF lots
up there In the Valley OF Virginia on
which taxes are delinquent. These
lots have been put up at auction by
the Commonwealth several times to be
sold to the highest bidder. They
would have been sold for cent
apiece If anybody offered 1t. But no
buyers appeared. Nobody values them
at l cent. Yet year after year these
lots are carried on the land books as
live business 1t is an imposition on
the Commonwealth and the county to
carry over lots of that character. fur
nishinE work for clerks at the expense
of the State and county"
MORTGAGE TAX BILL
UNDER DISCUSSION
The mortgage tax bill was under
discussion when Roger T. Gregory
made the statement that he understood
n question had been raised as to the
constitutionality OF the proposed bank
deposits tax. He suggested asking for
nm opinion from the Attorney General
on the question. He added:
'If banks were required to pay tho
tax OH their deposits. there would be
no occasion for depositors to withdraw
their money mt certain times for tho
purpose of evading taxation. l want
to see the money kept In the banks.
Let us adjust matters so that the de-
positors will have no reason to with
draw their deposits"
Chairman Spessard, acting upon tie
suggestion. named Messrs. Gregory,
Pitts and Brewer a committee to wait
on the Attorney General and request
him to prepare an opinion. but Cancelled
the committee few minutes later
when Mr.. Pitts. of the Tax Commits
sion, Informed him that he had been
advised that Attorney-General Pollard
might decline. EIe said he had been
told that Mr.. Pollard had been already
approached on the subject by individual
members. The Attorney General had
refused to give an opinion asked ex-
planning that he had no authority to
prepare such opinions. except when the
request came from a regularly or
ganized Legislative body.
After some discussion. II was decided
to adopt resolution expressing the
desire of tho committee for the advice
of the Attorney General on the ques-
tion raised. and instructinG the clerk
of tho committee to communicate with
Mr.. Pollard and Inform him of tho