Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-22
BUCHANAN WARNS AGAINST
INCREASE IN TAX RATE
Jieutenant-Govcrnor Says People Do
Not Yet Know What Burdens i.
War Will Bring.
VOTERS PROMISED REDUCTION
Now Heavy Increase Is Proposed
I'm State Rate on Real Estate and
Tangible Observation-Disclosures Fa.
yor Liberal Support OF Roads.

Increased tax levies sufficient to pro-
vide sl.25o.000 for road construction
and adequate funds for increased edu.
cational facilities were urged IN 4
meeting held last night in the hall OF
The House OF Delegates. President A.
y. Thornhill. OF the state Farmers
Union. presided over the meeting
which was addressed by Lieutenant
Governor Is. Frank buchanan. super
intendcnt OF Public instruction Harris
Hart. Senator Goolrick and road en-
thuBiusts from many cities OF Virginia
Governor Davis was present. but made
no speech.
The solo warning raised against
heavy tax increase was uttered by Mr..
buchanan. who while admitting the
urgent need for Rad Improvement and
recognizing tho public demand for
remedial legislation. poiIaed out tina,
Virginia could not tell at this time
how great u financial burden was tc
be placed upon lis people by the war
Ho feared that this burden was TO he
much moro serious than many seemed
to suppose and admonshed the legis-
lators present that thsy should proceed
with caution. He did not want TO bc
understood. however. as being opposed
TO the construction Of roads and the
Improvement OF schools. Sa,r
was in hearty accord with those who
were striving TO advance the States
interests through these mediums. but
lac feared that a too heavy tax burden
would prove harmful. lie said. too that
he had been assured by members Of the
Senate Finance Committee that the
much-talkcd-o million dollar surplus
would become nonex!stamt when out
standing obligations were li0uldatcd
HIfTED DURING CAMT'AIGS
AT TAX REDUCTIONS
Mr.. Buchanan recalled that he had
promised the voters OF Virginia when
hat n
and hia fellow candidates would strive
10 make their administration one OF
economy. lie said that they had even
limited that the tax ratio might be de-
creased. This he said always was
greeted with satisfaction by the voters.
All were willing thai the lcvies be re-
duced. Now" he said I'VE propose 10
make the tax more than 600 per cent
of what II has been. IL We are TO levy
10 cents for schools. 10 cents for roads
and cents for Ca.awba. az has been
proposed in some Of the measures a0-
vocatcd.'
Superintendent Hart merely asked
that as much az possible be done for
the schools. He said that his depart
!nent needed sl,500.0oO more than was
appropriated last yea: lie hoped
lie would be given ,h!a, but stated that
he was confident that Ia. Legislature
would do all IL could for the SCHOOLS Of
Virginia. lie admitted the need for road
Funds. but contendcd also that schools
were OF no less Importance 10 the Com
inorwenlth and that they should no, be
neglected
Senator Goolrick. +. ". Lrptoa.
Senator Walker. Captain wood. ~
Albemarlc; Henry Roberts, Of Bristol.
John W Chalkley, John Lewis and
Highway Commissioner Coleman urged
the necessity for 10 cents taN for
roads. contending that the laws recent
!, passed 10 create the state highway
system would be OF no use unless suf-
.icicnt money were raised for carrying
the project TO success. Roads on paper.
they said. we're Of no benefit TO the
people. And that. they commended. was
all the highway system amounted 20
unt!l funds for its actual creation were
provided.