The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-25
FINANCE COMMITTEE

the 1918 estimate would then he but
zee as actual cost OF sAs.
In his speech Of opposition to tha
increase Of taxes on real estate, Har-
ny r. Pollard, Jr.. said:
The real estate exchange, repre-
sentinE rs per cent Of the real estate
In the city OF Richmond, protests
against any further tax burden being
laid upon Us at this time. Real estate
already pays 81 amount Of taxes into
the city treasury, sum largely In
excess of that paid by all other COM
sined taxable interests.
AT the reassessment two years ago
much Of the real estate In the city
was increased over 100 per cent and
the entire taxable values averaged
over 20 per cent and yet all Of this
increase has resulted in no special
benefit TO IT, and the increased sums
paid by II have been expended along
other lines.
"A further burden imposed at this
time must necessarily result in fur
Their depression IN values. and as
new assessment will he had to take
effect In 1921 realty values will then
have to be decreased instead of in
creased and such win result in less
taxes collsctabie."
And In its own reasons for recon-
nnending the proposed increase. the
finance committee presents the follow
ing,
Committees Own Reasons.
Increased cost Of food, provender.
fuel. iron, csxnent and gravel and coal
and oil for the gas works, etc. caus-
ing increases for the city departments
as follows,
ii. oeo % iced
100000 fueI
10000 90 provisions and grocer
900 600 90 coal and oil for gas
works
100000 pipe
1880 90 sundries
szs7.seooo s26i.5oo 90
rconomic conditions have
caused high cost Of liv-
ing" which is felt ny all
employees. demanding in
creases IN salaries over
1917 budget aggreRsttng. is7AsG,oo
Normal growth OF schools
iustmsnts ...--.......... ss.sss.co
Increased appropriation for
streets considered iInper-
alive -...........t...... l0oseVo.po
sDrnpike ..,............, s.oosSo
Increased amount discount
and interest on temporary
loans ..++...7.4s..- Io.ooouo
'4 outside hospitals -. $4,000
Total ........ .ss24.7726o
Ali business interests have raised SAL
aries and wages Of employees. tstreet
cfeaning department lost twenty men
IN one day.
Richmond tax rate !s low as com
pared with other cities in same class
Richmond collects no assessments
for street roadbed improvements or
for the many services charges for in
other cities Baltimore. Toledo, Den
yer. Dayton. Atlanta1
All taxes and licenses have been In
creased 10 per cent 10 make distribu-
tion OF burden equal
Gas and water ar increased rates are
being sold 20 consumers al cost OF
production and purnpags including
\ overhead charges
Budget to Cause Debate.
with ali these reasons" before H.,
will recommend for adoption. practt-
eally, the report submitted 10 coun-
ell two weeks ago II is suspected
that there may be several insignificant
changes. such as graduated tax on
automobiles. rather than e Hat rate.
and IL the suggestion OF the admin
tstraslxe board concerning the In
crease OF water rate for large Coo
ausners is adopted the price OF gas
may remain as At present
No matter what may be the report,
ii Ii conceded that there will be de-
hate on the measure when IL reaches
ssaN Aoor az canacli This 10 municipal
mast take care Of the peoples inter
a5e IL 4aS