The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-15
SENATE VOTES TODAY
ON INTANGIBLES' TAX
Debate Continues with Unalatcd
vtgor-RenI Estate Assessments
Figure I'm the Discusston.
CODE IS SPECIAL ORDER
Members May insist on Reading En-
tire Volume OF 1900 Pages--Rich-
mond Charter Bin to be Heard by
Committee Tuesday Afternoon.

Debate was continued yesterday In
the senate on the West "fifty-f'fty
bill, which affects intangibles and the
rate of taxation. Under the. provis-
ions of the bill the rate is fixed at
si--ifty cents to the state and Atty
cents to the localities Senator Cool
rick attacked the bill. declaring that
the effect would be to tear up by the
roots the principles OF segregation
which was working well for the state.
The fact was that when the bill Tor
segregation was passed 1t was known
that q few sections of the state would
suffer, but the greater part OF the
state had benefited by that measure.
Flo believed that the localities should
DO as the state would have to do to
mset emergencies. resort 10 an in
crease In the rates on certain local
taxes to meet the situation.
Senator Buchanan vigorously de-
landed the bill. quoting figures TO
show that several localities had real
Nv improved by the terms OF the seg-
regation system. He said that to re-
lease to the counties the fifteen cents
in the tax on tntangiblee meant that
xh@y would never again be restored
This measure would take $780, 600
from the state treasury whom there
Is already a deficit. as the balance
IN the treasury Is nothing but a book
keepers balance. said the senator.
Senator c. Harding Walker, who
has never served on the finance COM
Gnittee, said that he listened with in
tereSt to the discussion. He had
hoped TO be able to vote for decrease
In the tax rate. but that could not
be done now. The proposition OF SEN
afor weA, ne said. would increase
The taxes on intangibles. He saw no
reason for a change at this time. ana
ne feared that an increase in the tax
rate was impending. He could not
bring himself to support the measure
proposed BY the senator from Suffolk
Senator Cannon took a shot at the
measure, which he supported. He
asked II thu rate on real estate as
easements was not In a measure re-
gponsible for the conditions. saying
that when q small piece Of land near
the Southw estern hospital was wanted
the price asked was Si25 an acre and
the assessed value was SIS an acre.
He contended that tho principls in
VOWED was Of far more importance
than the actual taxes involved IN the
measure He quoted from the report
vi the EIdA1 LAX EpAiIS4AAHHlpAis WAAaN~A
Rad promised relief on the subject,
and on the faith with which the seq
regation scheme had been accepted
by the people OF the state
without reaching the conclusion on
the matter the senate adjourned for
the day, the debate to he resumed
today,
The Revised Code
On motion Of Senator Walker. the
senate made the report of the com
nfttee for courts Of 3ustice--the re
vised oode--the special order for Fri
day. Immediately following the com
pletion of the west bill. which is ex-
pected TO be reached by / o'clock.
Report is that members who are OPP
posed 10 the code Will insist that the
2ao0 pages OF the printed report shall
be fead at length by tho clerks and
that they wifi insist on that step. This
will take at least three days OF the
vession. II not more.
Richmond Charter Btn-
The bin amending the charter OF
the city of Richmond has been made
q special order befors the COMMITTEES
on counties, cities and towns for next
Tuesday at o'clock. An effort VIII
e# made TO have the similar house
committee cit at the same time. SO
that one hearing will suffice for the
measure The hearing will be held
In the senate chamber and will be
open 60 the public.
Lsutenant-Govern Buchanan has
appointed Senators walker, Drewry
and Mapp as members OF the com
mittee to represent the senate of Vir-
ginia at the conference to be held in
Washington next week in connection
with the food and oyster question.
the idea being 70 put an end TO the
destruction Of fiah for fertilizer pur-
poses during the war. The house Will
name three members to represent that
body All the states on the Atlantic
seaboard will be represented
WIN Have Hearing.
The resolution amending the CON
stitution. which has already passed
the house. and which provides for the
abolition of the positic< Of state hos
pital commissioner, was before the
senate committee on public institu-
tons and education Thursday. SEN
ator Davis pressed for decision on
the paper, saying It had passed the
house by a unanimous vote. Senator
Byrd said that the superintendents of
the several state hospitals were much
interested In the matter, hat the su-
perintendents wanted this man re-
tanned. and they were entitled to be
heard. He moved that the hearing
be fired for Thursday OF next week
and this was agreed TO.