Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14
THE HOUSE

The House began the final dny Of the
special session with II determination To
speed action on every detail of lcpislo-
tlon remaining, many of the member
being anxious TO take afternoon trains
Tor home. There We're siXty-cicht mem
bers in their seats when Speaker CoX'S
gavel fell
Fhe report of the conference commit
tce mixing the franchise tax on railroad
and steamboat corporations at TX per
cent OF their gross receipts was adopt-
ed with no opposition.
The bank bill, which fixes the state
tax on bank stock at 30 cents, and gives
localities authority 10 levy "A tax no,
exceeding Sll5. was passed This re-
duces the maximum tax from $I.65 Ia
$50. a material change from the orig
inal bill
- Delegate Taylor. of Augusta, secured
the adoption of resolution appropri-
ating from the contingent fund of the
House compensation for three engineers
employed at the power plant Of the
Capitol for losses due to changes in
the pay roll unintentionally made. but
subsequently, discovered and corrected
They are to receive $40 each
WEAVER WITIIDRAWS BILL.
FOR COMPROMISING TAN CHAINS
Delegate Aubrey 6. Weaver urge,
the House to pass the bill providing
that the Auditor OF Public Accounts
shall be required To IN the date for
making assessments on all Intangible
properties. the date being now fixed AT
February l. Tire propositions was vigor-
ouslE opposed by Hill Montague of
Richmond II was finally defeated fail.
ing TO receive a constitutional majority
vote. There We're - ayes Ia 81 noes
Mr.. weaver withdrew the bill giving
the State Auditor authority To settl,. on
an equitable basis witii owners OF i'm
tangible property heretofore omitted for
vain to continue the fHht to get action
on the measure.
COMMITTEE TO ATTEND
LAUNCHING on IESDiI
Delegate Milstead Of Ncwpor, News
acting upon a request from the officials
OF the Newport News Shipbuiidins and
Drydock Company. invited The Speaker
OF the House, with committee he
might desire to appoint To ioin tho
launching party OF which representa-
tiHes OF tho United States Navy the
Governors of Pennsylvania and Virginia
and their escorts Will form "A part ON
the occasion of the launching OF the
battleship Pennsylvania al Newport
News next Tuesday morning SIR Mil
stead explained that the party of naval
officers and the delegation from Penn.
sylyania were so large that the plat
form in tho shipyard would not accom-
modate greater crowd; hcnc. The ship.
Safd oNclRlS were reluctant to InNit.
the Legislature as q body, fearing lack
of accomm oda tionS MANY thousands nf
visitors, he said. will flock to Newport
News from all parts Of Virginia and
neighboring states !" witness Tho
launching OF the largest dreadnaurht
ever constructed. ana the city vii! he i'm
gala dress. In concluding his address
Delegate Milstead told his associates in
the House that he would not return
having decided not TO stand for rc-elec-
lion. assured them Of his high regard
and his appreciation for the uniform
consideration and courtesy he had all
ways received ~ the hands OF The mem
bers OF the House and its officers
Delegate Stcarnes presented the fol
lowing resolution, which was adopted:
Whereas. il appears from the re-
sponse of the State Corporation Com
mission to tn" Joint resolution OF the
General Assembly of Virginia request
ing certain information as to the as
sessmcnt OF railroad properties in Vir-
ginia tSenatc document No - inat
the said state Corporation commits
sion. prior TO 1910. has assessed the
roadbed OF the principal railroads o.,
+ Virginia mt $4,000 per mile for single
track and 1000 per mile for double
track, for the purpose Of taxation
State and local, and in 1910 ana sub
sequent years assessed single track at
s20,0D0 per mile ana doubl. track Al
$4,000 per mile for purposes OF
taxation, state and local and
Whereas, II appears from the an
swer 10 joint resolution in 1905 (Scn-
ate journal documtn; no - that IN.
i sse ssment Of the physical Droperties
Of steam railroads for 1905 was s65.
6IS,314, and the franchise tax I'm 1905
was S372.153.32. Regarding this fran.
cnise tax as representing the value OF
& the business. the earning capacity and
:. other matters entering into the sub.
3 tect of the franchise as distinguished
2 from physical property. we have cal
seculAt<d tho amount, which. AT the gen
Sfeat rate OF taxation. 35 cents on the
: 500, would yield this amount OF fran
3 ci,ise tax. We hnd mar slOG22952O
q would yield, ~ "A tax rate Of 80 cents
4 On the 500, s37e,15332 Adding ,his