Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-23

fortunate that this department should be
singled out for criticism when it may be no
greater offender than other departments.
The fault is in the system which permits un-
controlled and unsupervised disbursement of
funds by the heads OF departments. The sys-
TEN must be remedied before the faults Of
admins: ration will disappear.
Is Increased State Taxation Necessary? No:
d ROPOSED increase OF State taxation IL
1 very real and vital matter. 1t touches
every man. woman and child and every Dus-
ness interest and OH its determination may
hinge continued property or financial DIS
aster. 1t is more vital Row than ever before
because Of abnormal conditions incident 10
the war in which the nation is engaged me
eyes of Virginia are OH the General AsseWol!
and its course will have the most carelui
scrutiny. 1t must measure up 10 the most
eXacting standards OF business and PATRIOTISM
if it is to meet with approval. The Ilnes-
Dispatch has asked Is it necessary TO IN
crease State taxes i'm order to have improved
roads and better sch ools? The same ques-
ton is being asked throughout ;he State
The answer. based on indsputabc figures, Is,
No. Ample start may be made on the pro-
posed highwa system and adequate care may
be taken of educational needs without cent
more of burden being placed on the taxpayers.
What OF the $1.000,000 balance in the
treasury? Is it real, rs set forth in the
Auditors report imaginary and largely
a matter Of bookkeeping? The fact is that
it is real Instead of million, ii probably
will be substantially more than that at the
close OF the fiscal year. This statement is
made extremely conservative estimates.
But il will be disspated by the States
penscs. eXclaim the advocates of higher
taxation 1t will not be if expenditures are
kept to the normal amount. Naturally it will
be dissipated if the Assembly runs wild and
appropriateS large sums unnecessarily. Let
the figures tell: The balance III the treasury
on February is. 1918, $1,S2S,352.03.
Estimated receipts from that date to Feb
ruary 2S, the same as last year. will be $780,
SSS.07, making a total OF $2,2S9, 240.10.
Estimated disbursements from February Is
TO February IS will be s49s.79S.16, leaving
balance OF S1,79a,441.94. Take from this
the estimate of balances to the credit OF
special funds amounting to s699,919.09, and
the balance remaining in the treasury TO the
credit OF the State will be $1,099.522.S5.
There is good reason to believe that this
figure is ultra conseryative.
Estimated revenue for the year ending
February 2S. 1919, will be $S,S35,OOO, max
ing a total fund for State purposes of s9,934,-
522.S5. Estimated disbursements for 1918.
including $500,000 to meet deficits and spe-
cial appropriations, 100000 for increase in
present appropriations for support and ap-
preparations for improvements, 100000 in
crease in pensions, $350,000 increase in roads
and S"5O,O0O increase in schools total
S9,755,G72.5S, leaving ii balance in the
treasury on March /, 1919, OF S17S,85O.27
These are the figures based no increase in
the present rate OF taxation
With the treasury in this condition, s1,502,-
S4O.94 may be spent on roads during 1918
without further burden to the taxpayers.
There will be 100000 from the automobile
tax. $4,000 from the appropriation by the
Assembly. this including the S350,000 in
crease over last year. S45 64694 from Jail
charges and $4,000 from the office expense
account. This too, is conservative esti-
mate. For the year 1920 the revenue from
automobile tax should run upwards Of $780,
600 more
For the schools this year there is available,
including the $3.50, 900 increase in appropria-
ton, S2,S6S.99S.36.
In the face Of these figures. the demand for
increased tax rates. especially at this abnor-
NAL time, must be gravely questioned. An
other view of the proposed increase in the
rate on intangibles is pertinent. Because Of
unequal taxation on this class of property, it
had been driven into hiding. and tho State
thereby was n heavy loser. Then through
act OF the General Assembly, the rate was
decreased so that the total both for State and
community was only 95 cents on the 500
OF assessed valuation. Through this implied
came forth from its hiding places By millions
OF dollars Look at these figures: In 1915,
omitted values TO the sum OF S152,576
we're returned for taxation; in 1916 omitted
values returned amounted to S114,336,076
and in 1917 they reached s34,O07.92e, or a
total for the three years OF S30O,92O,S77
Now. suppose the rate on intangibles is in
creased What will be the result? 1t will
drive millions of dollars of such property
back into hiding, or, what is more probable,
entirely out OF the State where It will be
assured of fairer treatment
Virginia is more prosperous to-day than
ever before in it's history. Will it not de-
liver paralyzng blow at that prosperjty
II IT adds on taxes unnecessarily? Again
look at the figures: In 1912 assessed values
of tangible personal property were s9S,364.-
ll3; in 1917 the figures had leapcd to Sos
'"O'929 In 1912 assessed value OF real
estate was $53S,924546. while in 1917 it
had risen to $GGG,9l3,314. Take the item Of
intangible personal property Bonds and
notes increased from s3G,221,100 in 1912 to
sl'2l3,729 in 1917; capital increased from
2.I3 in r.