The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-21

was in effect that the senate accept
the bin practically written by the
governor.
Senator West strenuously objected
TO the statement that the governor
had practically rewritten the bill
Senato Conrad maintained that the
changes made were contrary TO the
judgment of the ma joritv of the SEN
ate finance committee, that they were
contrary even to the real wishes of
the senate confereea
60 into Committee of the Whole.
Stating that he did not desire to
close discus IN, but merely to have
the matter properly before the SEN
ate. Senator Strobe suggested to
Senator Addison that the senate take
UP the whole problem and correlated
subjects in committee of the whole,
and the senate so voted.
Senator Conrad objected to act
ing on the verbal report of the com
mittee and stated that was how the
present difficulty had been reached.
Senator West was then called upon
TO explain the compromise agree
mert with the governor. In doing so
the senator said:
THE situation was that we were
in hole through a technical error.
not because we didn't have the
money, but because we didn't apply
the proceeds of the eight-cent levy
10 caring for items carried in the APP
preparations bill. In reaching this
compromise the governor said we
could arrange every other item to
come within the limits OF our reve
niue. with the exception of the salary
increases, and on that he would not
recede. We told the governor we
fovared the few sals increases in
faE
thousand dollars anyway, but he
would not Yield. Then again we had
to yield in many items TO the house
of delegates mem bers of the commit
tee. We thought IL better 10 have
our way in readiusting the million
dollar difference than to hold out for
the small amount involved in the
salary increases, which We could not
set under any circumstance s--that
is not from the governor"
Senator Rison asked if the senator
did not believe that the auditor had
underestimated the states revenues
10 which Senator West replied that
he did. but that the governor insisted
on being guided by the auditor. He
stated that the governor admitted
that the sums provided for ins'itu-
fions might leave them with a aPfett.
but promised to take care OF them
- such proved TO he the fact
Senator Drewry wanted 10 Know II
- was not true that the only way
the governor could take care of them
nae to come to the legislature for
appropriations 10 make up the de-
1, rs AMI il as matter of fact II
this WI & a promise that amounted to
nothing.
Senator Holt wanted to know why
4. was not better to make the APP
propriations now when u was con
ceded that they would be necessary
Senator West then explained the
details or the compromise showing
the cuts agreed upon. which are set
forth elseN here in The VirginiF1, ard
called attention 70 the error in the
governors own recommendations OF
t&ss 900 by which he had stated the
excess OF appropriations over anttci- |
pafed revenue.
The senator also made special
mention Of the IA ct that the compro-
- was nredicated on the rasss gs
80 HerIse Of the franchise tax
hill still sleeping in the house com
tGee. which by the auditors char |
aeteristiosuy conservative estimate H.
crnected to yield over 100000 a |
ve.r
THIS "a the bill exclusively referred /
Senator t;oolrick interrupted Sen |
etor West to bring out the fact that |
80 . attorney generals department. /
denied modest increase In salary |
~ fho ssistant attorn ey genera by |
the governor had won the Armour |
case in the courts ny which the state I!
VIII profit Ia the extent Of several /
hundred Thousand dollars The sera !!
tor said that I'm addition 0 the IN |
crease IN the sta te's revenues by the !
franchise tax hill he believed The |
auditors estimates were too low IN |
the matter OF the Armour case I
The senator was reliably informed !
that It would run far in excess OF /
he auditors estimate letter had |
been received from Armours stating |
that they were ready 20 pay in the /
hack taxes which alone would |
amount TO over 100000
Governor Just Won't Change.
Senator West here stated that tho |
committee hal pointed out to the gov
sronr how the state auditor had in |
the past under estimated the states |
revenues. but the governor could not |
he changed on that point
Senator Strobe brought out the /
point that the committee had over
ridden the governors objections to /
ths appropriation for tuberculosis. |
ard that If remained in the bill by !
the insistence OF the committee
Senator Andrews maintained II (
was unfair to cut $Ss.o00 from Y. r /.
when the committee had succeeded 7
IN getting the governor TO restore !
$50. 900 for the military institute
IT reassert," he said that not |
man in this assembly has = higher
regard for the governor tina do. /
Therefore l want It understood that |
what | shall have to SAY is in no /
sense criticism OF the right OF Gov |
ernor Davis to take this stand. /!
wish for his administration every |
success.
The facts are conceded There Is |
a discrepancy Of 81 100000 It was
A. natural error because OF the rush |
ana hurry OF the closing days OF the /
assembly. Even the governor has
erred in his recommendations.
His message prepared after careful
study of the bill contains errors so
vital that il would be impossible for
lis to accept his recommendations. In
he meantime there has also been dis
covered an increase In the states
revenues. Every FIVE or six days we
discover additional sources OF revenue.
and IL II continues We shall ultim atetv
nnd suffcIent TO take care OF all OF