The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-10

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called upon TO furnish i3.7s5 men In
the hrst draft. These men answered
the call of the country promptly. and
with rare exceptions cheerfully. Lo-
cal and district boards were constitut-
ed to pass upon the selective features
OF the draft. and as result of their
iaoors, our states quota was at Camp
Lee training for service. two months
ago. so that Virginia enjoys tho dis
tinction OF being the hrst state in the
union to I'LL Its quota. We are now
well into the preparatory work In con-
nection with the second draft, and our
boards are daily settling the status
OF registrants with reference to their
availability for duty. To all those In
dividuals, firms. corporations, and
especially newspapers. who by their
onselnsh and patriotic efforts CO.
operated to make the workings OF the
draft successful in our state, the COM
monwealth and the nation owe debt
OF gratitude which should never be
forgotten, and which should be held
second only to the, debt we shall owe
the brave Virgtnians who go to the
camp or the battle front
In this connection I recommend the
passage Of suitable legislation, in ac-
cord with federal enactment, for tho
diers and sailors In the military or
naval service OF the United States, go
that while they are risking their lives
Tor their C~'ntry, their property may
not be needlessly sacrificed at home
Having given FIRST place to the rec
ord the state has made under war con-
ditions, and having made some recon-
mendations OF obvious Importance
with view to placing the state In
proper condition to meet any future
war emergencies that may arise, shall
now address myself to matters Of
domestic nature. some OF which, how
ever, viii be deferred for later NEE
sage.
Taxation.
The policy of partial segregation.
inaugurated by the general assembly
at the special session held In 1915, and
amended at the regular session OF
1918. has justified itself abundantiy.
The state rate of taxation has been
substantially reduced on all classes Of
property except az to public service
corporations. For the information OF
those who are uniformed. or mtsin-
formed. of whom there are many in
Virginia. ! here give the reduction
shown In the rates OF taxation on the
several classes Of property In Virginia
comparing the average combined rate
state and local. on intangible property
prevailing under the old law. with the
fixed or limited rates prescribed by
the segregation law. state and local re-
spectively.
Bonds. nduciary property. shares o.
stock, etc. reduced from s1.T5 to IS
cents state tax. and so cents optional
local tax.
Capital reduced from sl.7s to 70
cents state tax, and 80 cents optional
local tax.
Certificates Of bank stock. reduced
from $l.7S 10 a maximum rate OF sl.5o
state and local
virginia county and municipal
bonds reduced from ti-T5 to IS cents
Money. reduced from sf.75 TO 20
cents
Merchants license, reduced 10 cents
per $40 on purchases between $4,000
and 500 oo0.
Real estate and tangible personal
pro-erty. reduced from the state rate
Of SIS cents TO 10 cents. No limit on
local rates,
Notwithstanding these reductions in
rates. the revenues 81 the state are
showing a steady growth, as evidenced
nv healthy balance In the treasury
a the end OF this fiscal year. and with
revenues In sight FOR the year 1918
which show an estimated surplus In
the treasury As Of October /. 1918. Of
s1.%4I13s5l. This gratifying condi-
tton Of the treasury is found after
giving to the free schools OF the state
for the past two years 81 ois,255.sS
more than for the last two years Of
the old taxation system; after spend
ing approximately $4,000 for war
emergencies after absor h'ng loss OF
revenue amounting Ia 100000 per an
mum due 10 the prohibition Of liquor IL
censes
II is proper to say that much of the
Increased revenue comes from license
fees OF ordinary business corporations
from the franchise tax levied on cor
'porations OF all kinds, and from other
sources, which have yielded increases
under automatic provisions OF the law
but more than ali else the increase Ia
due to the fact that within the last Two
years. under the operation Of the seq
rawa,ion act, there have been added
current assessments OF intangible prop
ertv amounting to R5s,ooo.Heo. tnis
>onsisttnE OF property not heretofore
Atscovered and taxed. In addition TO
tb,s large increase IL current assess
ment. there has been recovered largo
amount from Intangible property omit
ted fer wears previous 10 1918. All col
lectioDs OF back taxes have gone d.
rectly to the free schools.
Fears Not Realized.
Many people at the time this ieg1s-
Istion was enacted were fearful that
the revenue Of the commonwealth
would he inadequate for her needs.
SO satisfactory has been the outcome
that YOU are now called upon to de-
eide how much of the accumulated
Surplus and how much OF the surplus
coming into the treasury this year
YOU can afford to spend under war
conditions. and what public demands
are OF such nature as to compel
YOUR attention. Furthermore. you
are to decide whether the present rate
Of taxation, which yields revenue cor
slderabiy above the normal needs OF
the state. shall be maintained with
a view TO larger expenditures in the
future, or whether the rates should be
reduced, with "A view to the exercise
of economy, both publ eand private.
Considering the excessive cost OF Ia
Dor and material which now prevails.
and Is likely TO prevail for some time
TO come, together with the present
need for both labor and material In
essential war work II would seem I'M
wise. and indeed wasteful, to enter
UPON a new enterprise or constructive
work of any kind except such as NAV
be accomplished by the use OF con-
vs.t Iahor mr. nv the use OF prisoners