The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-30
STRONGLY ATTACK
Continued From First Pagc,)

showed clearly. would require prac-
tically unlimited autocratic and alb
solute powers. IL that system were to
be adopted he would advocate giving
1t the very strongest powers. so that
it might be able to meet Its task.
TT must be able and have the power
to go into every section and eQuQaiize
according to its own Judgment II
these powers be not given the board.
1t will BIO merely a useless and ex-
pensive board added to the burdens
II seeks to equalize. IT must be abio
TO go to every officer and compel him
to do what 1t directed. / thought
that to make II effective its powers
must be so drastic, so absolute. so
great, that the people OF Virginia
would never support 1t. Not only that,
but il would entail an enormous OK
pense. That drove mo to segrega-
ton"
Segregation RiIf.
In this system we tried to d.
vide up the subjects of taxation be-
tween the localities and the state We
thought 1t natural to segregate to
the State corporate property. as this
derives ita right to live from the
State. This 1t was found could not
be done without bsnkrupting many
localities which had issued bonds, the
interest on which was paid from the
income OF taxes on corporate proper
ty in the county. Many counties.
poor in agriculture. had only corpo-
ration property as the source of their
revenue. Therefore, the complete and
scientific plan OF segregation had to
be given up, and the partial segrega-
ton SYSTEM adopted. The whole COM
mission thought some other subjects
of taxation must be turned over to
the State for its support"
But as the qualities of taxation ex-
lists only as regards tangible personal
property and real estate. which are
variously assessed throughout Virginia,
we decided that we would segregate
TO the localities the only two classes
of property In regard to which Unequal
tiles exist. By this means tho state
would be freed from the burden of in
equalities. for then II would be mat
ter Of concern only TO each county as to
whether Its property was assessed hon
estly or not. No county would be COM
PEELED to make UP for the low assess
ment in another county, for each would
rely on Itself for it's support"
The Board of Equalization.
senator Buchanan explained that the
purpose OF the ex-ofiicio board under
/ this system was not to undertake the
work of equalization, the necessity for
which would he eliminated under the
SS5 Chs aAibn ~ Quk tnE BOARD
would meet at intervals and II any
citizen felt aggrieved over the assess
ment of his property he could appear
before this board and state the facts
, This would save the time and expense
of law suit.
To the Localities was left all cor
porate or public service property ex-
cept the rolling stock of railroads, mr.
, this Is not properly subject for local
IA all ca
and can be controlled best by the
State.
| The reason so little Intangible
| property a mere bagatelle, is taxed
! Is that the rate Is dis sriminatory
Where real estate is assessed at a
low rate and pays small taxes in
tangible property Is assessed at It's
full value and pays a high rate. In
some instances. in fact through the
state, the tax on $4,000 worth Of
real estate is thirty dollars, and on the
same OF amount of intangible prop
erty a hundred dollars. practically
raree 70 one. A low rate will take
away the Justification for concealment:
the people are honest ana will list
their property If they are given h
tair rate and put on an equality
/ The speaker quoted figures from
the estimate and tables prepared for
the use or the assembly The esti-
4 mate OF 5000. 10000 OF intangibles al
low merely for the normal increase
In this property At present II is put
at $4,000, GOO. Figures for the last
period OF years were quoted to show
that the amount had Increased over
tS per cent in the last TO lr years. 46
per cent in the last two years, and I6
per cent in 1914 alone. At this rate
the natural increase alon- will carry
the amour. over the estimate OF the
auditor, and If the rate Is reduced
there viii be still more brought out.
/ Loss To Localities.
Senator buchanan pointed out that
some localities would lose and lose
heavily, but that 1t is impossible to
devise system of taxation that would
be perfect. The guiding principle must
be that Of the greatest good to the
greatest number. There must be give
and take throughout all llfe." He
quoted instances to show that Alex
andria, Richmond, and Roanoke, all
losers, had advocated segregation. The
press of the State was practically un-
animous for 1t. and he believed that
the almost universal sentiment Of the
State demands it.
Senator Buchanan scored a point
against the creation of another ex-
ipensive heard He thought the peo-
pie would not stand for the powers It
must necessarily have. He stood for
ECONOMY and declared that the party
that failed To call a hpltt' wyolfId feel