The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-19
GOVERNOR URGES MORE REVENUE
In MESSAGE TO. LEGISLATURE

that the deficit must continue TO grow
until additional revenues are provided
Up TO May LIST. the Governor cited.
there has been paid from so-called
blank appropriations the sum Of Sfa5.
600 on account o, general charges on
the state fund. and holds that such
payments are Illegal. since the blank
appropriations are for a specific pur-
pose and are likely TO be needed At
states Finances.
He pointed out that. based on the
warrants Of the State Auditor. there
was an oyerdraft IN general revenue
OF the state fund May Let OF Sis5. 600
while appropriations not disbursed but
authorized by the legislatures OF 1913
and 1915 amount TO sI.ll4.i1s40.
I hese unexpected appropriations
were considered IN making new appro-
priations at the last session and will
be needed. To these amounts are
added the sum Of 500. 900 to be trans
ferred July ist to the general school
fund. the appropriations for the year
ending June 80. 1916. amounting to
Si,s34.sO0. the sum OF 100000 TO be
transferred TO the general school fund
next year. and the appropriations for
the year ending June 30. 1917. amount
Ing 10 S1.g34.150. with an additional
100000 to be transferred TO the gen
eral school fund AT the end OF the
fiscal year 1917. making a total OF liza
bilities OF ss.3ss .0ss.4o.
The revenues available. he said, at
the following: For the remainder OF
fiscal year ending June 80. 1915. $780,
900: for the year ending June 80.
1916. s2.325.000: for the year ending
June 30. 1917. s2.325. 900; total. $4,000
900. leaving an excess OF liabilities
over revenues OF q. 4sSO6s 40. To this
amount should be added $4,000 in
case appropriations to aid high schools
are 90 be paid out OF the general reve-
nue. instead OF the general school fund.
bringing the total 70 1851 .06S40. II
part OF the appropriations OF the 1915
Legislature had not been vetoed there
would be added to this the sum Of
s7SS,60s.0e. The estimated general
revenue above includes a ten cent
state levy.
The Governor further pointed out
that OF the appropriations OF 1913 for
buildings and improvements ~ state
institutions the sum OF $311,0OO re-
mains unexpended, not because the
improvements are not needed. but be-
cause the money has not been avail
able. Such appropriations the Gov
ernor terms commands" OF the legiss
lature and the work therefore should
be carried on.
Appropriations vetoed at the regu-
lar session were so vetoed. says the
message. because the revenues were
not sufficient.
AS to alleged extravagance OF the
state departments. Governor Hatfield
took the view that there has been no
such waste. and suggests that the leg,
islature examine carefully into the ex-
penditures OF the departments.
Classification Of Property.
After declaring that he does not
wish TO dictate the revenue measures
to be adopted. Governor Hatfield re-
iterated his former declaration in fav-
OF OF a constitutional amendment per
hitting the classification OF property
for purposes of taxation. Quoting
from figures compiled by the State
Tax Commissioner he showed that
farm properties constitute 20 per cent
of the assessed valuation OF the state.
the real estate being assessed at $685.
100000 and the personal property S92.-
100000. total. $500. 900. 900: coal pro
perties Including leaseholds constitute
12.4 per cent. the real estate being
assessed 1928. 10000 and the personal
property $4,000. 900: timber proper
ties 81 per cent. 500 200, 900: oil and
gas properties. 1O.1 per cent, the lease
hold and personal property being as
sessed at $4,000. 900, and the public
utility part at 100000. 900: utility pro
perty other than that above. II per
cent. $212.OO0.OOO: municipal property.
2S.4 per cent. real estate being $780,
100000 and personal property S121,-
100000. The total assessment is ST.
243.O0O.OOO for 1914. For 1915 It IL
s1.27s. 966.OOJ.
This shows that form and city prop
erty pay 57.4 per cent OF all direct tax.
In this connection the Governor asks
rs IL any wonder that a direct method
OF taxation f. preferred BY some
of our industries?"
The classification OF property would
have been included in the call for the
extraordinary session. says the mes
sage. except for the bitter opposition
TO II from certain quarters and the
important other work before the SEES