Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-03
Segregation Plan Means Economy


NJ OF the least commendable and praise
worthy aspect Of the partial segrega-
ton plan of tax reform is that the machinery
necessary to its operation Is of the simplest
and least expensive. 1t contemplates no
burdensome additions to the budget of the
Commonwealth and provides no fat offices for
the politicians to fight over. In these days
of economy and retrenchment in all govern
mental affairs, national, State and municipal
this consideration should make potent appeal
to the minds of thoughtful men.
Under the scheme proposed, the member
ship Of the State Board Of Taxation is all
ex-oflcio. consisting Of the Governor, the
chairman of the State Corporation Commits
sion and the Auditor of Public Accounts
They will receive no additional salaries
Clerical assistants are to be employed by the
board and paid from contingent fund Of
$4,000.
This board is to have general supervision
OF the administration Of the laws relating to
the assessment, collecting and disbursement
Of the revenue Of the State and its SUBJ
divisions, and 1t is provided further that the
board shall make comprehensive report
to the General Assembly at each regular
session thereof"
The Times Dispatch believes that board
thus constituted and acting in pursuance Of
the plan Of partial segregation will be quite
as efficient In removing inequalities in State
taxation as the much more expensive Tax
Commission advocated by the majority Of
the special committee.
The plan contemplates no essential change
in the settled policy of the State In disburs-
Ing public funds. AS the report says at
does not interfere with the present method
Of returning to the counties and cities one
third Of the capitation taxes paid into the
State Treasury, nor with the appropriations
by the State Of money for the public schools
Hn hfrtn nIYY
of the State; for PENSIONS; for the sinking
fund, and for interest the public debt
1t contemplates that the State shall continue
to bear the expense incident to felony con-
victions, while the counties and cities pay
the cost of misdemeanor cases"
Many communities, has been pointed
out. will gain an actual increase in revenue
by the release to them by the State of the
35-cent tax on real estate and tangible per-
sonal property, while the only subjects Of
taxation communities will lose will be in
tangible personal property, rolling stock of
railroads and premiums of insurance COM
panies.
If receipts from segregated sources fail to
meet the States fixed charges and special ap-
preparations, it is designed to provide for
this excess "by requiring each county and
city to pay into the State Treasury its just
apportionment, based upon actual valuations
as determined by said board. This system
is sufficiently elastic to meet every emergency
while taking from the taxpayers no more
money than is actually required for govern
mental purposes"
In other words, it will not be necessary for
tho General Assembly to look around for
means to keep from laying up q surplus
When legislators know that money for ap-
preparations in excess of the receipts from
segregated subjects will have to be supplied,
pro rata, by the cities and counties, including
their cities and counties, they will ponder
economics little more carefully. The Gov
ernor. too, will be inclined to exercise his
veto power with more frequency, for the pre-
vention Of extravaganza and other legisla-
tive foibles. The segregation plan Is an
economy plan.