Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-21
Is Increased State Taxation Necessary?

Is Increased State Taxation Necessary?
THERE is no equivocation or hesitation on
the part Of Governor Davis in his decara-
ton that if the people want better roads and
better schools they must be prepared to pay
for them. Taking for granted their will
ingness to pay for such benefits as may be
secured. he cmpr.tically places his approval
upon bills now pending which would levy q
special 20-cent tax on tangibles and intangi-
bles for road and school purposes With the
Governors premise there can be no dispute
The people want the system of good roads
that has heen proposed; they also want the
school system improved and extended. par
ticularly in respect to the primary grades,
as was SO ably recommended by the Governor
in his inaugural address. The Times-Dspatch
has led in the movement for roads and
schools in which Virginia might find cause
for pride rather than necessity for continued
apology. 1t repeats now what it has said
many times that money judicously expended
1for passable highways and educational facli-
ties is money well invested and represents
source OF profit to the State. So thorough
has been the campaign of enlightenment in
Virginia during the past decade that the
number of those who oppose this view is
negligible.
Governor Davis is also right in his con-
clusion that the people are willing to pay.
Nirginans not penurious They stand
every dollars worth of value received.
Neither are they inclined to, nor do they, APP
prove Of wasteful extravaganza, despite
casional instances on the part Of their paid
employees which might seem to argue to the
contrary. They do demand simple business
and moral justice in the expenditure Of their
funds. 1t is for this reason that they very
seriously question the Governors conclusion
that special 20-cent tax is necessary and
his ready approval thereof. They do not ques-
ton his position on the ground that he is
wrong, but on the broad basis that the neces-
sity has not been proved. They want to be
shown that it is mandatory before having
laid upon them this additional burden OF
taxation, when already they are weary under
the financial load they carry for the State,
the community and the Federal government.
Even the Finance Committee doubts the wis
dom OF asking the people at this troublous
time to submit to this heavy imposition Of
taxes, holding that increased levies of 10
cents will be sufficient for present needs of
roads and schools. This view undoubtedly
will prevail. and the members Of the AS
sembly arc too cogniZant of the temper of
their constituents to want to do more Even
the lucent increase is considerable addi-
ton to the financial hardships of the average
Citizen and his voice will be heard in honest
protest.
But the whole tax problem hinges one
pont--that OF necessity When the people
Of Virginia are satisfied that all costly and
unnecessary frills Of government have been
eliminated, no extravagances are permitted,
modern business methods prevail, all dead
wood cut from the pay roll and every public
servant really earning what he is paid, then,
if the books still show that enough has not
been saved to the treasury to meet tho bills
for roads and schools and public health, they
will make complaint over whatever in
However,.
when they know that the various State de-
Dartments are spending large sums of money
collected in fees absolutely without control
or supervision on the part Of the Governor
or Assembly; when they consider the fact
that certain county officials are drawing from
the people payment larger than that given
to United States Senator; when they see
lax, wasteful methods on every hand, and
think of what "fads and fancies," as Delegate
Willis APPLY calls them. have cost the treas
ury. they realize that the time has come to
stop. look and listen before permitting step
which will bear more heavily upon already
depleted purses. deliberately furnished
Households for OF officials and the vanish
ment OF funds as in the case OF the $4,000
credited to the Game Department, have no
part in what they believe to constitute
economy and a proper management OF their
affairs.
This is time for frank statement of facts.
Tho people have been told that there is O
surplus of upwards of S1,000,000 in the
treasury, and they recall Auditor Moores
recommendation for a decrease of taxation.
Now they told that they must submit
to an increase II certain State improvements
arc to be carried out They are asking why,
and they must be answered. They are de-
handing more rigid economy, and eventual
ly they will have their way.