Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-07
GOVERNOR FAVORS
SEGREGATION PLAN
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CONTINUED From First Page)
at the afternoon session. that the dis
cussion OF the tax commissions report
was not to be considered as n matter
OF Official record. but merely as an in
formal discussion with 4 view to afford
ing any member who desired to ask
questions concerning features OF the
report, the information he desired.
With this understanding, different sec
tons OF the report wcre read by Hill
Montague. secretary OF the tax COM
mission. and tho discussion provoked
by each inquiry or objection stated was
general and free from the restrictions
and reserve OF formal parliamentary
debate In this manner many of tho
committeeman were enlightened on
phases or the report not clear to them.
The most stirring incident of the
first days sitting of the committee
transpired during the morning. In
the course OF the discussion Mr.. Mon
tague remarked that he did not be-
lieve that that part OF the commissions
plan which provides for direct tax
on counties is constitutional
BAKER ASTONISHED AT
MONTAGCI:'S STATEMENT
Captain Baker expressed his aston
ishment. You tell us you doubt
whether the report Is constitutional"
Captain Baker exclaimed. after all
tho time spent In compiling and for
mulating IT. Why should you let us
sit hero considering a document that
must BIO worthless II 1T IS. as you
suspect unconstitutional
Mr.. Montague replied that he did not
say positively that there are sections of
the report which are invalid. but re-
cd hn ha hnI 10
doubted the authority TO impose a d.
rect tax on counties.
III ono section Is Unconstitutional,
the whole plan IS unconstitutional"
Captain Baker said.
Later In the day Captain Baker called
on Governor Stuart for the specific
purpose OF informing him of the doubt
expressed by Mr.. Montague. The Gov
ernor made no alluson to the subject
after his conference with Captain
Baker. Other members OF tho Finance
Committee did not appear to share Mr..
Montagues doubts or Captain Bakers
fears regarding the constitutionality OF
the proposed plan. But 1t IS extremely
likely that tho contention over this
point will be eventually submitted to
the Attorney General for an opinion.
JUDGE WILLIAMS
DESCRIBES NEW PLAN
The committee devoted the creator
part OF the morning session to hearing
from Judge Martin Williams, Of Giles
on n tentative measure he had drawn
He asid he would not express n pref
erence for any Of the plans In hand or
in sight, but merely desired to offer
some suggestions He kuggested
congressional district commission, one
for each district, the chairman OF each
to form a State tax board. He would
have the chairmen Of these boards meet
semannually to discuss tho question of
assessments with the State Auditor
Acknowledgement and State Account
ant. Then they are to go back to their
respective districts, explain the plans
agreed upon to tho commissioners of
the revenue and direct them to inforoe
them. He would have the commission
ers appointed by the Governor for a
term OF four years. Judge Williams
was given an attentive hearing.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSES
RAILROAD MORTAGAGEs
While the committee was discussing
railroad mortgages Mt tho afternoon
session. Mr.. Gregory suggested n
form Of tax for the subject He pro-
posed taxing the mortgage covering
that part OF tho trackage within the
States borders. Mr.. Brewer objected
He said railroad mortgages are al
ready taxed and such mortgage tax
would be q double tax on the sauna
item.
Mr.. Gregory replied that when n
tract Of land lying partly in virginia
and partly over tho border is mort,