Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-10

reasonably possible, thus conform In &
to the policy which prudent individuals
| all over the world ~R1e adopting for
themselves: Certain Of our state in
stitutions may require Increased appro-
priations TO meet the advanced cost Of
| living. others may present claims
upon US which must be met as q part
OF our policy OF conservation, including
the conservation OF human life. The
appeal that comes to US from our un-
fortunates must be heard and needed.
Our institutions OF all kinds must be
maintained efficiently, but econom ically.
Our laws must be upheld and enforced.
In short, We must keep our house In
order. We must also be prepared for
extraordinary war emergencies. How.
then. can We best subscfve the ends Of
economy, efficiency and preparedness.
First. By Leaving In the pockets of the
taxpayer every dollar not needed for
the economical administration of the
Stnte government on war basis. Sec
oud. by keeping in the treasury lib
meet such war emergencies as I have
mentioed,
RECOMMENDS FURTHER
REDUCTION IN TAX RATES
Carrying out these policies. I recon-
mend the following reductions in the
present rates OF taxation:
Reduce State ratio on bonds notes,
Judiciary property and shares OF stock
from Soc TO soc on the 800 OF assessed
valuation.
Reduce State rate on capital from
zoe to soc on the 800 Of assessed vaiu-
alton.
I would further recommend the re-
lease Of the Decent lax now levied by
the state upon tangible personal prop
erty, so that the State would not tax
this property at all, This relief would
go 10 the benent Of the Individual tag
payer. except in communities where
the local taxing bodies might think II
proper to incorporate this tax in their
local rates with view TO increased
revenue.
Should the rate reductions on intan-
giblc property be made. il can he con-
f,dently expected that still larger re-
turns VIII be realized from this class OF
property.
Other recomn, endations will be made
by the State Tax Board in It's report,
10 which | invite attention together
with some suggested amendments.
In view OF the fact that segregation
marked new departure IN our tax
laws, and was dependent at every stage
on friendly and eflicien, administration,
l feel it IS not invidious TO say, with
due regard TO the valuable and faith
full services of many other State OFF,
Gals. that no small share Of the credit
for the success Of segregation, especial
Is the administrative features Of the
system. is due TO my associate mem
bers OF the state Tax Board. and the
officers and appo.ntecs Of that board.
State and local. and particularly to the
Auditor Of Public Accounts, whose rec-
ord OF fidelity, efficiency and ability
marks him Us an official of rare value
TO the Commonwealth.
Prohibition In Nirg mia OF the Ii,
ceHsed traffic in Intoxicating liquor un-
der vigorous and rigid enforcement
has succeeded even beyond the hope Of
The proponents aud has disarmed and
converted most of its opponents. The
recognized results of this wholesome
end beneticient reform afford an unan-
sWeFabie argument in favor of prohibit
tion as state policy. and abundantiy
Justify the belief that the best in
terests OF our own people and OF all the
people would be promoted by the
adoption OF prohibition as national
policy. Some amendments TO the law
are needed without doup;. One TO
which invite your attention Is to pre-
vent the waste Of alcohol contained in
liquor seized for violation Of the law.
Valuable foodsiufrs were used in the
manufacture OF SUCH liquor md in view
Of the national necessity IL is desirable
that they should he utilized In the pub
lie interest. ] suggest az act whereby
ltGuor so seized may be sold under the
supervision OF the Commissioner OF
Prohibition. preferably to the War De-
partner, for use in the anufacture OF
munitions OF war. in which such ma
terial has valuable part. Provision
should also be made, whereby llquors
lawfully held by personal representa-
tives Of estates may be disposed OF In
a manner similar TO that above men
TONED, for the credit OF the bencfl-
Charles OF such estates.
SCHOOLS or STATE ARE
IN FAIR CONDITION
The educational system of the State
il in fair condition. Due to the gem
cation system the public free schools
during the last two years have en-
joyed an increased income from the
State Of more than 100000. as COM
pared with any other two years in the
history Of Virginia. Some of this in
crease has been derived from taxes
collected from properties in arrears,
view OF the fact that this source Of
revenue viii be gradually diminishing.
trust the General Assembly will make
ample provision TO compensate the
school fund on this account. sc should
NOT he content merely TO maintain our
schools according to our present stand
ards. but should insis; upon such
steady advance in the usefulness and
efficiency OF the system as will he fully
responsive to the enlightened demands
OF virIle and progressive citizen
ship.
VIVA, I have said as TO schools il
equally applicable to roads. The people
cannot enjoy the full benefit Of their
schools except As roads and school
houses keep pace with cath other. The
General Assembly should plan compre-
hensively. with = view TO judiclous util-
izstion OF Federal aid and such local
aid may be available Attention
should be first given to highways OF
state importance, and especially 70
those which serve 10 connect zones OF
roads already built by the several
counties. The East and West High
way should he completed as soon as
possible by the building OF such CON
meeting links as have mentioned 4
North and South Highway is much
needed. not only as 4 matter OF State
utility. but as a matter Of State pride.
heie apply to roads general pr,n-
clplc already mentioned by the sugges-
ton that road work could be accom-
plisned by the use II convicts and
jail men. together with prisoners Of
f