The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-23
Opinion Is Expressed By
Delegate Scherr of
Kanawha.
THINKS 1T WILL BE NECESSARY
TO RAISE AT LEAST
$685., 900.

order that sufficient revenue may be
provided to meet the states needs, Is
the positive opinion of Hon. Adolph
E. Scherr, OF Charleston, member Of
the house OF delegates from Kanawha
county. Mr.. Scherr believes that the
legislature made serious mistake in
not passing at the recent session
measures which will produce suffici-
ent funds to run the state govern
| ment.
Corroborating the statements made
by the governor as to the pressing
needs for additional revenue, the
young delegate, after careful in
vestigation, believes that it will be
absolutely necessary for the legisla-
ture to raise $2,331,000 revenue over
and above the amount already pro.
vided for. While opposed in principle
to special taxation, Mr.. Scherr be
lieves in increasing the direct tax levy
slightly, and raising the remaining
revenue by speciA methods.
Mr.. Scheer was a member of the
house in the 1918 session Of the leg
islature, and during that session and
also the recent one, was member OF
the finance committee of the house.
Being the patron Of several bills and
q member of various committees, the
Charleston delegate was one of the
most active solons at both the regular
and the extraordinary sessions. AS
came intimately acquainted with
the financial conditions OF the state,
and few men are better versed with
the states needs.
Mr.. Scherr, who is district deputy
grand exalted ruler for the B. P. o.
Elks, has been in thee ity for the
past couple Of days, visiting Wheeling
lodge No. %, of that order. He left
yesterday afternoon on tour Of the
northern section of the state, to visit
various lodges before returning TO
Charleston.
Before leaving Wheeling Mr.. Scherr
granted an interview to an lntelligen.
Ger reporter, during the course of
which he reviewed the financial situa-
ton as he found 1t upon personal in
vestigation while the legislature was
recently in session.
Governors Statements Correct.
"In my opinion the legislature made
serious mistake in not providing
sufficient revenue to run the state
government" Mr.. Scherr declared.
II have gone into the matter of
finances thoroughly, and as member
| of the finance committee, both at the
recent session and the 1913 meeting,
| have had the opportunity to become
acquainted with the needs Of the state
in this respect.
II want to say that Governor Hat
| field Is substantially correct, In his
various messages to the legislature,
setting forth the needs of the state
in the way Of finances.
~ am somewhat surprised to find
since leaving Charleston that many
persons have the impression that the
state does not need the funds as stat
ed by the governor and other state
officials, to be necessary in order to
carry on the state government for the
next two years.
False Impressions Abroad.
There also seems to be an impress
| sion, gained from what source | do
not know, that the deficiency we now
have, accrued during the past two
years. This also Is wrong and a
careful examination will show that a
great part of this deficit had accrued
prior to 1918. In fact, much OF 1t
goes back farther than 1911. We did
not have the facts as to the real con-
dition of the state treasury two years
ago, and were not able to obtain def
mite information until after the audit
was recently made by Mr.. E. A. Dover.
1.-THE states needs are growing
year after year. For several years
/, past our institutions have not received
the liberal support they deserved and
that was really necessary for new
buildings, improvements and the like.
We have now reached point where
these are absolutely necet sary.
Revenue Necessary.
an addition to the deficit which had
accrued prior to 1918, the loss Of some
100000 per year through elimination
| of liquor licenses, together with IN.
creased needs Of our institutions and
| departments of government, makes
considerable additional revenue abso-
lutely necessary.
ain making an examination or con-
ditions some weeks prior to the clos
ing of the regular session found the
| following to exist: The estimated de-
felt on July /, 1915, $624,000: old ap-
preparations not expended or provided
for, S850,000. thought this could be
curtailed to the extent of about $780,
900, IL no new buildings are started
and work is stopped on those already
under course of construction.
1.-The general appropriation bill
passed at the regular session included
an item of $S6.200 for the administra-
ton of the workmen's compensation
department. During the extraordin-
airy session I introduced bill known
as House Bill No. 8, which finally
passed the senate on the last day,
which provides that the compensation
! fund will take care of its administra-
ton. thereby relieving the general
state fund of $4,000 per year.
"Our income for the next biennial
period, from present available sources,
will amount to $4,750,000, including
| $2,350,000 from licenses and other III
direct methods. and S2,400,000 from
the direct 10-cent levy, after deduct
ing the expenses for collection.
Must Provide Revenue.
"The appropriation bill, after de-
Quoting the items vetoed by the gov
ernor, and the money to be transferred
to the general school fund as provided
by law, totals $5,194,000. Add to this
the deficit Of $4,000, and $450,OO0,