The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-04-24
TAXATION
DISCUSSED
At MEETING OF eoARo OF TRADE
A n o { o N N z n c
BODIES.
Senator R~osenbioom Reads Paper ard
Delegate Bloch Makes erief
Remarks on Subject

= ~ III SfnANOI htna L. hONtnH
bloom spoke relative TO taxation and
legislation Delegate Bloch spoke
briefly. confining his remarks 10 the
financial condition of the state and
methods Of taxation. while Senator
Rosenbloom = a lengthy and care
fully prepared address. covering TWEEN
ty-nVe typewriter pages. explaining
principally his position on nan qucs-
tons which came before the recent
session of the Legislature.
The meeting a advertised as "A
Board OF Trade meeting on taxation.
A. W. PAUL. vice president of the
board. presided. and Secretary. Roy n.
Naylor acted as secretary OF the meet
Ing Several hundred post cards. EN-
phssizing the importance OF the meet
ing and requesting a large attend
ance. had been ri out 10 members
OF the Board of Trade and other com
mercial organizations. F1fty-nve per-
sons were in attendance.
A resolution. written by Secretary
Nsylor. was introduced by Robert Lee
BOYD. prominent local Democrat. M
was adopted. II follows:
RESOLVED. That the chair
/ man of this meeting be authorized
TO appoint a COMMITTEES OF seven.
OF which he hall be one. TO in
vestigate the question OF taxa
ton which now confronts this
state, and report their recon-
OF the Board OF Trade: and fur,
thermore. that the directors of
the Board OF Trade be requested
to supply whatever funds may be
necessary. within reasonable linn
its. for the work of said COM
mittee."
Chairman PAUL announced thar he
will name the committee at a later
date.
Should Classify Property.
Delegate Bloch was first introduced.
I Nln anNA that ~ kA ha1 HNaaAA1 -
ing absent from the city. he had not
prepared an address IN would only
make a few remarks relative TO taxa
I ton. Declaring that he does not agree
with the Governor in everything. he
said hat the situation is not so seri-
Gus as some would believe. He said
there has been a deficit about this
time of the year for many yeas past.
owing TO the antiquated system O:
bookkeeping. He said there is money
enough to run the state government.
the plea for additional revenue being
only a question of paying VA money
for improvements to the institutions.
Mr.. Bloch declared that he Is op-
posed to indirect methods uf taxation.
n added that agitation for such
methods is responsible for the sentI-
ment which prevails over the country
hat West Virginia is hostile TO cor
p~orations.
Delegate Bloch spoke in favor OF
amending the constitution 40 as 10
give the legislature the right TO class
ify property for OF taxation.
Praises the Legislature.
Senator Rosenbloom followed Mr..
Bloch. reading from his manuscript
20 hat he would o be misquoted
he explained. The early part OF
his paper was devoted to a
,reyiew OF the general legislation
Nann.sal ~ shn ran,.lar gnu1fnp ~ thu
legislature. The people OF this state
can well be proud of a legislature
that in one session of forty-tve days.
good and workable reforms in the in
terest OF the people. were enacted.
he said. That the pledges made by
the Republican party In their plat
form TO enact a corrupt practices act.
a uniform primary bill. a county sal
aries bill. a county depository bill,
were kept: a blue sky law. a fraudu-
lent advertising law. a law against
giving false statements to obtain
credit and a redistricting OF the state
as to congressional districts were en-
acted n placed on our statute books:
that the workmen's compensation act
was revised"
Il assure you gentlemen that when
la broad review Of the results or
this session are had and hat result
be regarded from the standpoint or
the good and welfare OF the citizens
Of this state. whether be he farmer,
laborer or business man. you have
cause to be congratulated"
Senator Defends Action.
The Senator then proceeded to eX-
plain his vote on several measures
which were opposed by him. lie then
took up the financial situation. and
referred az considerable length 10 IL.
quoting figures to the effect that no
additional evenu is necessary. Ask
ed as TO why he voted TO kill the bill
proposing 10 increase the direct tax
rate TO fifteen cents after having in
troduced II. he replied hat ne was
J impressed hat no new revenue was
needed. The Senator declared that no
motion made or vote cast by himself
during the entire session would De
changed today, were the opportunity
afforded.
Senator Rosenbloom declared that
there was any intention or de
sire o the part Of the administra.
ton in the proposed revenue program
to place a production tax on coal. oil
and Eas. Notwithstanding his con
tinued statements. there never vas a
desire OF the part OF the Governor TO
ecure the taxes in this manner" he
exclaimed. At the conclusion OF his
paper. toe Senator vas asked by Hon.
W. +. Hubbard regarding this state
@ANH INa -. HN |ANN - AANNA
adding that this talk about the Gov
errors wanting q production tax IL all
bull" This. Mr.. Hubbard said. should
bring forth some explanation from the
Governor.
Hubbard Declines 20 Talk.
An Invitation was extended Mr.
Hubbard TO address the meeting He
declined. saying that he preferred 10
wait Until both sides have talked
their finish and the facts are brought
out. He declared. however. that ne
thought Industries which are a burden
TO the state or which are receiving
special benefits should pay special
taxes. Delegate Bloch said that he
believed the coal. oil and gas inter
ests are now paying a just share OF
the taxes under the direct taxation
system Questioned by Mr.. Hubbard
as TO the cost 10 the state Of the min
ers' hospitals and mine inspection
bureau. Mr. Bloch declared the coal
operators do not want the hospitals
anyway. and that these institutions
are being maintained for the sake Or
politics. They are serving the farm
ers. he added. and not the miners
u was moved and carried that ~
was the sense 81 the meeting that
senator nnnehfUnw and NJ nT.am