Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-10
CALLS ON EXAMINERS
FOR REPORTS OF WORK
State Tax Board Wants to Know
What Counties and Cities
Have Been Visited.
ACTIVITY NOT THE SOLE TEST
Action of Board in Removing Exam
iner Who Has Reported Second
Largest List Of Omitted Taxes Is
Much Criticize


Letters that go forward to-day from
the office of Christopher 3. Garnett.
executive assistant OF the State Tax
Board. to all examiners of records. call
for a report showing how many coun-
ties and cities each has visited in his
circuit since April !, 1916. in tho course
of his examination of property TO be
reported for the current or omitted
years. and setting forth. in a general
way. the result of his work in each
county and city Of the circuit.
In view Of very recent tax-board
history. the call is significant APP
parently, il is the intention Of the
board To inform itself as to the activi-
~ of the examiners in the several
circuits. II is taken for granted that
the results examiners achieve in bring
ing under taxation unreportcd proper
~ Will be one Of the factors that will
count for or against their reappoint-
ment when. at the end of this year.
the board. according to It's statement
last week. will consider the appoint
ment OF examiners for the thirty-one
judicial circuits.
In the ease of Examiner james s.
Easley, of the Sixth Circuit. however,
volume Of unrcported properly brought
under taxation was not alone sufi-
cicnt TO assure his retention in Office
Mr. Easley, next TO Examiner Sands,
reported for taxation more property
than any examiner in the State. Most
Of the property brought under taxa
tion by examiners of records in 1915,
was reported by Examiner Sands, Of
Me Tenth Circuit; Examiner Easley, of
"
OF the Twenty-ninth. The latter's big
coup was the assessment Of back taxes
against Thomas Fortune Ryan. which
brought the State alone over 100000
BOARD MAKES NO
EXPLANATION OF ACTION
Despite Mr.. Easlcy's activities, he
was summariiy removed last week. and
his place given to Tucker c. Watkins.
of South Boston The tax board en-
tered a bare removal order without
any accompanying statement 1t had
been charged by Mr.. Easley's oppo-
ncnts that he was derclict i'm the en-
forcement of the law in Halifax Coun-
ty, particularly with respect to
moneys in the hands of special COM
missioners. The State Tax Board did
not indicate whether or not Mr.
Easleys removal was due to this al
legged dereliction.
The Easley Watkins episode has
brought to the front many critics for
and against the tax boards action.
The cynical have found in it proof
sufficient that no taxing officer need
build his hopes of retention on a re-
cord of activity without at the same
time looking after his political fences.
In defense OF the tax board IL is point-
cd out that greater harmony will be
obtained through the removal of an
official. who. ii seems, has in some
way alenated the cooperation of a
large number of the most influential
men in his circuit.
In political circles the whole Sixth
Circuit entanglement has produced a
deep stir. and Mr.. l3aslcy's next stcp
Will be watched with interest. He
has indicated his intention to consult
counsel as to the advisability Of test
ing the tax boards action in the
courts.
Mr.. Easlcy was appointed examiner
Of records Tor the Sixth Circuit in 1905
by Judge w. r. Barksdale. of Hous-
ton, who. according to EasIey, took a
prominent part in forwarding the cam
paign of his opponent. Mr.. watkins.
Mr.. Watkins. incidentally, is Judge
Barksdale's son-in-law. 1t has been
pointed out as peculiar by friends of
Mr.. Easley that while his opponents
In the recent contest charged him with
neglect of duty. Judge Barksdalc, who
must have been familiar with his con-
duct, never chose to exercise his right
10 remove him. Under tho law, 1T was
the duty of Judge Barksdalc to re-
move Mr Easley from Office when he
had shown himself incompetent,