Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-24
TAX PROBLEM
VEXATIOUS
s- AN
Fear Among Members of
General Assembly of
General Deficit
PROSPECTS GLOOMY
GLOOMY
Legislators Favor Increases to School
and Pension Funds. But Seek In
formation.

Richmond, Jan. 24.-Refcrence has
been made on the floor of the Senate
for possible deficit the coming year
in the State finances because OF the
change in the taxing system of the
State.
This was done when the proposition
to increase the Confederate pension
fund of 100000 annually was under
discussion. The increase was favored
bv all of the legislators, but they were
unwilling to commit themselves to
its support till full and complete IN
formation of the financial condition
of the State treasury could be dis
closed and until after the general
appropriation bill was made up.
For this reason the chances for ar
increase in the amounts allowed to
elemosynary institutions and to all
State dependencies is believed to be
impossible. This is reflected in the
proposition of Delegate Norris to
limit the appropriation bill for 1916
and 1917 to that for the preceding
two years. Discussing the subject
of taxation last night, wellknown
man said:
"This subject of taxation is one
of the most vextatious that contronts
lawmakers in the national, the State
o. the ;i!y legislatures i is an ever
recurring proposition with the vast
majority of the people wiling to ria
themselves of the burden by putting
it on others.
"The segregation system in VIZ
ginia has not panned out as well as
it's friends had hoped. The system
itself is all right. but the hope and
belief that the ascertainment of valu-
es would increase the amount OF rcVe-
nue. seems to have fallen to the ground
The report of Auditor Moore viii
disclose the taE returns still are far
too low-that persons who have made
returns have failed to give a fair
cash market value of their belongings
Tn other instances it is not disputed
that property that should be return
cd for taxation has been omitted, with
the same regularity that obtained
under the old system, notwithstand-
ing that in some instances the rate
has been materially lowered.
eIf the General Assembly can de-
riso some scheme whereby persons
will be made to make return as re-
ouired bv law the segregation scheme
or anv other for taxation will be
solved. The rate has little or nothing
to do with the matter. The placing OF
the real trouble can be had to the
persons who have property and who
fail to make return, as they make
oath that they have done. This |:
borne out by the wstS of some of the
examiners of record. where these of
fcers have paid regard to their oatf
and have striven to perform thei
duty with fidelity. Sporadic instance
Of the work of these officers show:
that others have paid no more at
tention to their duties than if the.
had never been appointed.
"The enactment of the law to com
mel these officers to do their dut,
would result in adding some hund
reds of thousands of dollars to tn
treasury that is due and has bee
due for wears. In Richmond the prac
tice of failing to make returns is n
exception. The same thing exists i
other counties and cities, and tina
they have not been reported is to b