Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-07
COMBS ANSWERS CHARGE
OF EXAMINER hA'LEMORE
Examiner of Records for Russell,
Dickinson and Buchanan Coun-
ties ReSentS Criticism.
WRITES STATE ADVISORY BoARI
Denies Imputation of Unfair ASSESS
ments as Compared With Neigh
boring COuntics-Bonrd Will Con-
slider Matter on Governors Return.

F. II. Combs. examiner of records for
Russell, DickensoH and Buchanan Coun-
ties. resents what he constructs as criti-
cism of his conduct in office by EN-
aminer M'Lemore, OF Wise. in the recent
communication of the latter tax Official
to Major William H. Sands. of Rich
mond.
Mr.. Combs denies the imputation in
Il letter he has addressed to the State
Advisory Board on Taxation. which
was made public yesterday. Follow
ing is the text OF the communications:
Grundy. Va. July g. 1915
The State Advisory Board on Taxation.
Richmond. Va:
Gentlemen.-In The Richmond Times
Dispatch OF July I. and also in the
Roanoke Times Of the same date, there
is report that u. L. McLemore. Of
Sig stone Gap. Va. and examiner OF
records for Lee and Wise Counties. has
complained that intangibles are not
being returned for taxation In Russell.
Dickinson and Buchanan Counties bv
the examiner OF records for those coun-
ties. and that property owners i'm Mr..
LeAiore.s district are complaining that,
while they are being forced to diyulre
intangibles omitted for many Years
past, the examiner in the adjacent dis
trict is not so energetic as Mr.. Nc
Lemore."
COMMISSIONERS OF REVENUE
WE'RE BEHIND SCHEDULE
The commissioners of the revenue in
Russell. Dickinson and Buchanan Conn
ties did not get returns of intanEibles
income ana purchases by merchants
INTO my hands by the first day of June
as required by law. and in fact. 1 have
not received all OF them vet: therefore
it mas been impossible for me to COM
piete my work in any county yet
nave visited Russell and Dickenson
4 o. aud =,
OF review IN both these counties and
nave gone over the returns Of intanpI
olc property in both of these counties
with the local boards of review. have
made increases in intangible returns in
'hese Two counties. was not ac-
H""!nteo with but very few taxpayers
IN either Russell or Dickinson Counties
ana therefore I met the local hoard Of
review IN these two counties and wont
over the returns that had been made
IN these two counties together with tho
SAID board, and I asked each member
vi me BOARD In these two counties to
!huicate TO ME any returns that tbev
thought should be investigated and
lhey dld so. We also called the cop,
missioner or the revenue who made the
return and consulted him. We also
caiieo before us and examined under
o",n CASHIERS and officials OF banks
county officers and private citizens The
members OF the local board Of review
IN all OF my counties are as good men
as could be picked from the counties
OF from any counties. and are men who
seem 10 want all persons to nav their
Just part of the taxes. The methods
pursued were the best that knew ~
wlthout getting on horse and ridInp
LOT weeks and weeks to every mans
mouse In each county and making nor
sonal investigation, which I did NOT
.nlnk was my duty. and did not think
,he law ever intended the examiners r.
40 or else a different way would have
neen provided for paying them therefor
iNTANGIBLES WILL NE
LARGER THAN EVER
In my own county OF Buchanan. or
| course know the people better and
know much better the cases that should
DC investigated, but In this county T
am following the same plan of con-
soitins with the Local Boatd of Re-
view, and find the members OF the
board can give me much assistant 7
nave number OF cases yet to investi
gate In this county, and a number of
witnesses to be summoned and exam
med. and while / do not expect to get
| all that should be taxed. stnl know
that the returns of intangibles Will be
larger than ever before. and I believe