Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-01
ATTACKS PoLLARD'S RECORD
IN RAILROAD TAX SETTLEME.

Declaring that the city of Richmond
had lost between $4,000 and $4,000 in
revenue because OF the low assessment
made on railroad property as a result
OF the compromise the ,ity was forced
TO enter into last fall with the rail-
road companies. Morgan r. Mills. of
Jefferson Ward. speaking to a mass
meeting of citizens in Fulton last
night in the interest Of ]. Taylor Ely
sons candidacy. said that before Cow
ernor Stuart asserted John Garland
Pollard had been an efficIent State off,
Ger he should say what degree of eff
cheney he had in mind. Mr. Mills said
he was making no charges. but that
he was simply stating the facts as he
knew them as member Of the Coun-
ell Committee on Finance.
Emphatic denial to what was termed
the charges against Mr.. Pollard sor
dereliction of duty" was made by Hill
Montague, who represented Mr.. Pol
lard at the meeting. Mr.. Montague
said that the Attorney was not
the legal adviser of the State Corpora
tion Commission, which had made the
alleged lou assessments on railroad
property last October. and was not,
therefore. responsible for its action. He
matter was brought t. his attention,
Immediately filed the proper petition
for correction of the assessments In
the City Circuit Court
MILLS AND MONTAGUE
IN HEATED DEBATE
When Mr.. Montague. after his in
troductory remarks reached this stage
OF his address he became heated in his
talk. This was lessened none BY the
interruption of Mr.. Mills, but before
yielding to the interruption, Mr.. Mon
tague declared that he was too old in
the game for any such action to kill
the point he was making.
L quoted from an opinion of the City
Attorney" said Mr.. Mills and YOU are
attacking him."
L do not care who 1 am charging"
Mr.. Montague replied
MIR. Mills had previously said that
the segregation act had proven detri-
mental to the city of Richmond, and
then pointed to the railroad tax matter.
which was settled about four months
ago He described the original assess
ment. made last October by the State
Corporation Commission, as ridiculous
ly low, as compared with the assess
ment made by the city assessors, who
were State officers. Under the local
assessment. he said. the city was assur
ed an income of $4,000 annually, but
the assessment Of the Corporation Com
mission had made 1t very low figures,
and the compromise had nettei the
city only about $4,000 annually.
TOOK PROMPT STEPS
TO SECURE COREECrION
hmm mediately after the commissions
assessment was made known. he said,
City Attorney Pollard had attempted to
lave 1t corrected. but found he could
take no action in the matter, and that
a proper suit would have to be brought
by the Attorney-General. After the
petition had remained in court for n
short time an agreement was maze, he
said. between the city and the rail-
roads.
In reply. Mr.. Montague declared that
the assessment had not ueen referred
to MIR. Pollard by the Auditor Of Pub
lie Accounts, the only officer author
lied to do so, but that as soon as he
was notified of the matter.by the City
Attorney, Mr.. Polltrd had Immediately
filed the proper petition. Tho agree
incnt reached, he said, was In confer
s' ce with AMI by the consent of the
City Attorney.
lie then read a letter from, Leslie
c. Garnett, assistant Attorney-General,
reviewing the railroad assessments
made by the Corporation Commission,
which was at that time composed Of
Robert r. Prentis. William F. Rhea,
and j. r. Wingheld. In this letter
practically the ssme statement was
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