Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-10
HAWKINS FAVORS
SEGREGATION PLAN
Former Commissioner of Reve-
nue. of Richmond Discusses
Tax Commission Report.
POINTS TO SOME OBJECTIONS
Believes Plan Can Be Worked
Without Hardship to Coun-
ties or Cities.

segregation az the best method Of
State taxation are pointed out In a
statement made to The Times Dispatch
yesterday by o. a. Hawkins. for many
years Commissioner of the Revenue Of
Richmond. aud 81 recognized authority
on the subject. both OF local and State
taxation. Mr.. Hawkins has given close
study to both Of the plans proposed by
tho State Tax Commission. and dis
cusses them In some detail, pointing
out some weaknesses In each. and sug-
gcsting remedies. For many years Il
most efficient State officer. having to
do with the assessment of taxes in this
city, Mr.. Hawkins brings TO the sub
tcct a large amount Of frst-hand in
formation. After allowing for the loss
to the State OF liquor licenses and other
| revenues from the sale Of liquor In
1915. Mr.. Hawkins figures out a plan
OF segregation which. It is claimed.
would give to the state ample in
come for the support of the govern
ment, and yet would impose no hard
ship or burden either on the counties
or cities OF the State.
GENUINE AWAKENING ON PART
OF PEOPLE TO TAX REFORM
HIS statement follows in full:
At last there seems an awakening on
the part of the people OF this state to
! some interest In the work OF the
Joint Committee on Tax Revision. The
members OF this committee labored un-
tiringly. but the time at their disposal
was hardly sufficient for the great
task imposed upon them. Real re-
forms are hard to get started tax re-
forms IS not one whit easier than some
others.
Neither the people nor tho General
Assembly ought to expect changes. at
the first attempt. to compass tho ideal.
II we Insist on the ideal, failure is
almost certain. 1t Is. however. believed
by many OF our citizens that the Cen
cral Assembly can devise and agree
on some method to make a beginning
In that direction. Other States operat-
Ing under special Supervisory au-
thority" In the tax Cor revenue) de-
partment have been working for sew
eral years. and have shown marked
Improvement over old plans. yet they
continue to improve in methods pro-
noting Justice as we'll as revenue. Vir-
ginia must begin now, or we may cx-
pect something disagreeable to happen
! in the course of time: either the ex-
pcnditures OF the State will exceed her
revenue or the honest taxpayers will
rise In their wrath and disrupt the
dominant party Surely the grand old
Democratic party OF Virginia will meas
urc up to the expectations of the peo-
pie on the tax question.
10Th PLANS CALL FOR AN
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION
The two plans presented in the re-
port differ materially. but why one
should have been designated specifically
as Commission" plan is not clear, as
1t Is proposed that both shall be admin
| istered by 4 commission. the difference
| being In the composition of the com
| mission. Permit me to say, l do not
believe II is possible to get the best
| results from either plan except through
| n commission, to be appointed by the
| Governor, TO serve six-year terms :. e.,
| OF the first three appointed, one to
retire at end of two years, one at
end OF four years and one at end Of
six years Such a commission should
be composed OF men of integrity. abil-
| ity and frmness, who will be required
to devote their undivided time, atten-
tion and energies to the discharge OF
the duties devolving upon them. With
| out In any sense disparaging the gen
| tlemen nor occupying the exalted posi-
| tion of Governor, chairman OF Corpora
| lie Accounts. do not believe 1t is pos
sible for them TO perform the joint
duties involved In a manner satisfac-
tory to themselves or to the people of
| this State.
Virginia has need for their fullest
services in their present high stations
In order that the commission suggested
| may be removed from all political in
| huence, as far rs possible In n Demo-
cratic Republican form Of government,
| the law for their appointment should
provide that no member OF the COM
mission shall be eligible to hold any
other office OF profit or emolument in
| this Commonwealth: either electrive or
| by appointment. for one year after he
ceases to be n member Of said COM
| mission.
MAJORITY PLAN CALLS
FOR LARGE EXPENDITURE
AS I read the tax laws proposed by
the majority of the committee. the
| number Of new officials called for ap-
| pears to nccessitate much Increased
expense account, some Of which, 1t Is
| true, Is chargeable to the cities and
counties. but a great deal of which Is
chargeab1o to the State. The same Is
true In some measure OF the minority
or "segregation," plan. Under the lat
ter plan. why should the State pre-
scribe the number of officers who shall
assess real estate and tangible prop
erty and then prescribe number Of
| reviewing assessors. ETC.. etc. AS the
local government must secure its prin-
cipal revenue from taxes on these two
| classes of property. II should be per-
mitted to select assessors by methods
of Its own choosing.
Equality" in assessing these prop
critics can only be of interest to the
State, and other counties and cities in
connection with the amount Of money
tho State may call for from each of
these subdivisions. whenever 1t Is
needed to supply her financial demands
To safeguard equalization" the State
can and ought to TX maximum tax
ratio TO be charged on property by
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