The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-21

properties. which increase would re-
suit in an annual additional income of
$6S5,000 to be applied to school
maintenance, interest and redemption
on debt and general government.
Lowest In Cities of It's Glass.
An increase in tax rate as suggested
would make the total city and state
rate 1925 per hundred. which rate by
comparison would be less than the
average rate prevailing in American
cities with a population from 125.0O0
to $50. 900; in fact. many of the cities
IN this group would still be very
much higher. / do not know of city
IN TINS country, in the class with
hlchmond, that has a total city. coun-
" and state. rate as low as Rich
mond's present rate of $1.75.
An increase in tax rate, or even the
suggestion, Is rarely ever received
very kindly. regardless of how low
the present rate may be. more es-
peciaiiy is this true since the national
government has placed so many ad-
dltlonal taxes upon the people. While
this recommendation may not be the
only solution of our present problem.
1t is we'll for the people to become
thoroughly informed before they pass
judgment. which can best be arrived
at after reviewing our present opera
lions and considering the city's
needs
From Current Revenues.
1t will doubtless astonish many of
our citizens to learn that while Rich
mond enjoys the distinction of be-
ing the lowest tax rate city OF any in
her class, that Richmond provides
from current revenues many public
improvements and utilities that IL
ot oil h., nth cjf he
same class Is done by a special tax
levy by the state, or public subscrip-
ton.
To illustrate, Richmond is the only
city in her class in this country that
improves the street highways with
funds from current revenues. Other
cities charge the entire amount to
the abutting property owners, COL
lecting the amount in annual install
years. while Richmond has for the
past ten years appropriated each year
s35O,000
The council, in response to the
wishes of the people, has appropriated
sums at various times to build three
armories, in which Richmond has in
vested $775,000, which cost the city
annually about $4,000 In interest
repairs, maintenance, and in the sup
pull Oh tlS
Armorics and Parks.
do not know of but one other
city in this country in Rchmonds
class that has ever built an armory.
The city excepted built an auditorium
and made provisions for the military
in It's construction. In all the other
cities having armories the state builds
and pays for maintenance with a few
exceptions Seine ef-thc -ctticss-to
induce the state to make the appro-
priations, have offered to pay a small
part of the cost. or. halls are rented
and paid for either by the companies
or the city
The state should build the armo-
ries ana maintain the militia, as they
are state institutions subject 10 the
call for police duty by the governor.
Richmond is Justly proud OF her mill
tary, which has been a great asset
TO the city in many ways
While this is all true, it Is hardly
reasonable 10 expect the council to
carry out the wishes of the people
in this regard and meet other neceS-
sary demands without suflciect rere
nues.
do not know OF a city the size OF
Richmond with as much park acreage
so we'll distributed.
But few cities in Richmonds class
operate and support entirely a free
hospital.
The fact that Richmond has been
serving the public out of her current
revenues with many improvements
and utilities that other cities provide
only by additional revenues. notwith-
standing other cities have high
total tax rate, justties the thought
that our present financial condition
and extensive needs is not due to
gross cX'rava ganCe or corruption.
Rchmond's Present Needs.
The following amounts are asked
in addition to the citys fixed ex-