The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-23

assessment on real estate TO 30 per
cent of the true value, according to the
report of the tax commissioner, and
then to levy a hypothetical rate of nifty
cents on the hundred dollars on this
increased valuation of real estate. The
result showed that Sf1s.43s would be
added to the school revenue of these
twelve counties, but when turn to
our pamphlet entitled: Counting the
Cost I find the sum OF $609.560 was
needed to give these twelve counties
an adequate school revenue.
"Or take the situation so graphically
described by Governor Stuart In his
first message to the Legislatures: Coun-
ty A." said the Governor. shows in
round numbers estimated true values
of $4,000. o00; County B estimated true
values OF 100000. County A, with
$4,000, 600 of taxable values has
school population of 5.543; County b.
with sS,0O0.000 of taxable values has
a school population of $500 OF l-S OF
the property and so per cent more chill
dren of school age.
Won't Meet situation.
Therefore. the theory of increasing
the assessments, even IL 1t were feas-
ible. would not meet the situation.
I'VE also hear the statement that
the proposed increase of the State tax
would impose an unjust burden OF the
cities. but on investigation we find that
the average rate of taxation for school
purposes for the individual citizen In
1914 was forty-five cents on the 800
in. cities, and forty-two cents on the
500 In counties.
Not Paying too Much for schools.
whatever his other tax burdens
may be, the citizen in the city or in
the town is not paying a higher rate
80 sob yhan hA
the county when we consider the va
rious devices which are employed to
escape the clutches OF the tax gatherer.
1t is manifestly our duty to institute
reform all along the line. Let the
proper authorities direct an increase
of values on real estate In counties
and bring forth the intangibles In
cities and towns.
AT this point / wish to urge upon
the attention of the compittee that
the higher rates OF assessment is found
wherever the population is congested.
whether II be in town or city. Our
present scheme OF financing the pub
lie school system Is throwing heavier
burdens on towns and rich districts
than on cities. ! could tell OF wealthy
towns and districts which are sup
porting the schools in nearby poorer
districts and are thus carrying the
burdens which the State of Virginia.
ought to assist them in carrying.
perhaps, after all, this discussion
may point out the best way to sdualize
taxation. as there Is nothing so near
the heart of the people as the public
school situation. II would be mani
testify unconstitutional to add an
amendment 20 this bill providing that
the money shall not be apporttoned to
any county in which the real estate
assessment falls below a certain per
centags Of true value. but the Legs
lature could attach a condition OF that
kind to it's direct appropriations, and
there is no doubt that the scheme
would prove tremendously effective.
But we appeal to the cities the
towns and tho richer districts a. con-
fdently as II this bill would give each
one of them q greater revenue than
the amount they will be called upon
to pay in taxes The cities and towns
are just as vitality interested in the
educational progress of the county dis
tricts as they are in the educational
welfare of their own citizens. The
statement may surprise the members of
the committee, but IL is true never
theleas that practically one-half OF the
citizenship OF any city in Virginia is
educated in the counties of Virginia.
when / studied the Vocational Survey
Of Richmond City. which was made In
1914 In a selected group Of parents,
whose histories were carefully studied,
4; was found that 81 per cent were born
and II is presumed educated In the
city of Richmond. while IS per cent
were born and II is presumed educated
in Virginia. outside of Richmond.
eve appeal TO the taxpayers of
our cities and towns a stfil
higher plane--she success and hap
pinesa of each and every person of
this Comm ON w ealth is inseparabiy
connected with the education of
all Of the people of the Common
wealth. and co asfain, shat result
substantial increase in revenue
should be provided without delay.
II close this discussion with the OBJ
servafton that this btft fs only one of
two steps that ought TO be taken. It
covers only half of the ground. and a
bill to be offered at a future session
OF the Legislature would complete the
Journey. Instead of giving the pub
lie schools the equivalent OF an addi-
tional tax OF ten cents on real estate
and personal property, the wiser course
would be to give then the equivalent
of an additional tax of ten cents on
all classes OF property. and have no
doubt that course will be followed as
soon as the finances OF the state Justify
the additional step. When that is done
there will be no county In the state
and few, II any. cities that VIII not
receive from this additional fund more
money than they pay into 1T