Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-24
FATE OF TAX BILLS
RESTS WITH SENATE
Alignment of Contending Forces
Expected to Be Definitely
Known This Week.
WAITING FOR INSTRUCTIONS
So One Senator Explains Appar-
cnt Apathy of Upper Branch
as to Tax Measures.
WAITING FOR INSTRUCTIONS


alignment OF the contcnding forces in
the Senate will be definite. and the re-
suit of the vote which will he taken
on the form of taxation. probably In
the ensuing week. will he apparent
That is the opinion Of many prominent
members of each branch of the Gem
eral Assembly
The fate of the so-called Governors
bill rests with the Senate
There is uneasiness among the seEre-
gationists in the House because OF the
apathy of the Senate. That there is no
strongly intrenched opposition to the
new segregation proposition in the
senatorial body. the leaders in the
House are convinced. II is the indif-
ference manifested by many of the
Senate members to this time that chief
ly annoys the segregationists
This apathy of the Senators may be
best illustrated by expressions from
some OF the members of the Senate
quoted and commented upon yesterday.
SENATOR'S CLAIM TO HAVE 40
INSTRUCTIONS FROM HOME
prominent Senator was approached
By member Of the House. who sought
70 win him over to the segregation
plan. He listened patiently for ten
minutes. then said
1 don't know what my constituents
want. do know that they did not
eject me TO come here and settle any
sort of tax problem for them. was
erected on wet and dry issue Just
what form of taxation they favor. my
constituents have never thought IL
worth while to let me know. To deter
mine intelligently how / shall vote, IL
VIII be necessary either for me to go
nome and ascertain the sentiment there
or to hear from my people direct"
Another Senator, who was impor-
tuned. said: ITO be frank about IL. I
have not studied the question long
enough to decide on the merits of any
OF the plans OF taxation submitted.
tried three or four times to read the
report OF the Tax Commission. but il
always gave ne a headache"
The attitude OF the Senate members
who are waiting for something i'm the
form OF definite instructions from their
constituents and those who have head
aches and have not studied the tax
problems is not regarded by the segre-
gationist leaders as hopeless. On the
contrary, they believe that the Senator's
who are apathetic are more likely TO
align themselves under the seCrcr,
ton banner than to vote with those
who are fighting for the commission
plan.
TAN on INTANGIBIES
is FINED At 20 CENTS
Tic event of yesterday was the in
PRODUCTION in the House by Chairman
weaver. of the Finance COMMITTEES. of
second supplement TO the Governors
segregation bill. The new bill carries
provisions whereby the State Auditor
VIII be enabled to discover not less
than S2OO.O00.000 in intangible prom
erty. on very large part of which no
tax is now paid. The second suppIe
mentary bill. it Is claimed by the segre-
sationists, won over from the commits
sion side several votes yesterday.
rms new bill reduces the average
tax on intangibles from $3.50 on the
Sl0o to 20 cents. Notwithstanding this
large reduction. Mr.. Weaver said I'm
presenting the BILL the revenue com
ing TO the State will be much greater
IMAM the present revenue. The second
supplement TO the Governors bill is
indorsed by Governor Stuart.
An interesting feature OF the supple-
ment Is the clause by which the Audi
TOT is directed to levy upon tangibles
not returned for taxation the tax rate
prevailing upon real estate.
Some criticism Is heard of the low
tax OF 20 cents on bank deposits. mu-
nicipal securities and mortgages being
taxed 80 cents. 1t was generally pre-
dicted last night that the rate will he
increased to 35 cents on bank deposits
in the special money tax bill which
VIII be introduced this week.
CONFERENCE TO DE HELD
AS TO TAX ON MONEY IN BANK
a conference of the leaders of tho
two branches OF Legislature win be
held tomorrow, when the money tax
question Will be agreed upon.
Prominent segregationists. when
asked to explain the apparent dis
elimination In favor OF bank denosits
and against municipal securities and
mortgages. acknowledged their belief
that 1t was due largely TO the ability
OF the men representing banking in
terests who argued their case before
the Finance Committee when the pub
lie hearing was given the bankers.
OF the money interests
succeeded In convincing the committee
that the banes needed relief. The i'm
preston is now strong. however, that
the money tax will be Increased IN
80 cents.
Ihe FINANCE Committee of the House
has been called to meet to-morrow
morning at 10 o'clock. Some action
VIII be taken on the money tax oues-
tion at this meeting
me senate was In session an hour
yesterday. The House members held
n busy session OF four hours. keeninc
up Its record for diligence and hard
work. Half a, dozen joint resolutions
letting in more local bills were adoptcd
by tho General Assembly. Tho time
limit for local bills has been fixed ma
January 27. Many measures viii hn
introduced before the middle of the
week.
Many OF the Legislators arc being
Continued on Fourth Page.J