The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-03-10
In Reference to the Situation
Which Exists NoWin the
State Senate.

CHARLESTON, NJ a Il h To-
Asking If the time has come when
members OF the senate feel that they
cannot afford to enact any revenue
measure which do not meet with cor
porate approval. Governor Hatfield.
in statement Monday night, eS-
plains his attitude toward the situa-
| ton now existing before the legis1a-
ture with reference to revenue meas
ures. The chief executive repeats
that he has no special method over
another TO suggest TO be adopted for
the raising of revenue. He continues
TO strenuously oppose the direct
method Of taxation, for the reason
| that it is inequitable. The state
Ment follows:
The corporation dominated press,
acting for the henchmen of some big
interests that do not desire to pay
their proportional part of the taxes to
enable West Virginia to go forward in
developing her state institutions, at
tempts TO hold me responsible for GER
tain methods suggested in the way Of
revenue measures pertaining to taxa
! ton that have been submitted to this
session OF the legislature.
IT can say without the fear of con
enc single method over another to any
senator or member of the House, but
have contended myself by sending a
special message upon this subject and
have left the matter entirely to the
Iceliberation and conclusion Of the
Legislature. Can the lobby and thoss
who have selfish interests, or those
who seek the opportunity to condemn
me IN this respect, say as much?
Is Not Responsible.
am in no way responsible for the
states liabilities over its resources.
but it Is my duty to call the attention
iof the whole people to this condition,
and this have done. Not only is
this true. but l have reconvened the
Legislature for the reason that it
passed an appropriation bill far in ex-
cess OF the available revenues, as well
as failed to take care of the accrued
| deficit which was called to its atten-
| ton in my biennial message. and for
which it was the duty of the legisla-
| tors to provide in keeping with arti-
Gle O, section 5 OF the constitution
! 1t has been pointed out that there
was a deficit of S480,OO0 when as
sumed the duties Of governor, and
that the deficit was reduced some
S150,000 at the end Of the first year
OF my term, and notwithstanding the
fact that the liquor revenue was lost
TO the state, as was something like
100000 in the Paint and Cabin
Creek coal strike, the deficit for this
year will increase only about $278,-
COO. All of this goes to indicate, as
has been set forth In my several mes
s.ges, that the present administration
hoo II
every way possible. approved Of
items in the appropriation bill passed
at the last regular session of the legis-
lature aomunting to S858,eOS. 90.
After my -curtailment of this appropri-
alton bill there will remain liability
over assets amounting to $1,S12, 900.
Recommended Many Methods.
recomm ended many methods Ill
by message on taxation and finance.
The most prominent of thse recon-
mendations was an excise corpora ton
tax. did this for the reason that 1
thought IL was right and equitable,
an that it was cheaper for the cor
porations than to permit a 10 cent
Increase in the direct tax. It, is true
that all states contiguous to West
Virginia have such a law, and have
had II years. Do not the corpo-
ration representatives know that the
Excise corporation tax method will be
less burdensome than a direct tax
levy They should stop and take
stock and decide for themselves Do
they want to get away from the direct
4ethod Of taxation by the adoption
OF an amendment to the state consti-
tuition which will permit the classirl-
cation OF property, as is the base In
the state from which the most of the
owners Of our corporations come?
Why Is it that these owners oppose
the methods OF taxation that have
| long since prevailed in their native
states?
II have no special method over an
oeher to suggest to be adopted for tho
raising of revenue. have stated
frankly and freely more than once in
1.-The press. as well as in my message to
z - X