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


walton, including the conservation OF
human life. The appeal that comes
to us from our unfortunates must be
heard and needed. Our institutions
OF all kinds must be maintained eff
GENTLY but economically. Our laws
must be upheld and enforced. In
short, we must keep our house in or
der. We must also be prepared for
extraordinary war emergencies. How
then can we best subserve the ends of
economy. efficiency and prepa redness?
First, by leaving in the pockets OF the
taxpayer every dollar not needed for
the economical administration of he
state government on war basis Sec
ond. by keeping in the treasury "A lib
eral balance, such as we now have. to
meet such war EN- srgenCies IS ] have
mentioned. Carrying out these poll
cies. ! recommend the following re-
ductions in the present rates of tax
atiLn:
Reduce state rate on bonds, notes, a
duciary property and shares Of stock
from e5 cents to so cents on the $I00,
Of assessed valuation.
Reduce state rate on capital from
10 cents to so cents on the 800 of as
sessed valuation,
/ would further recommend the re-
lease Of the 10 cent tax now levied by
erty. so that the state would not tar
this property at all This relief would
go to the benefit of the individual tax
payer, except In communities where
the local taxing bodies might think IT
proper to incorporate this tax In their
local rates with view to increased
revenue.
Should the rate reductions on in
tangible property be made, II can be
confidently expected that still lar~@r
returns will be realized from this class
of property.
Other recommendations will be made
by the state tax board in its report
to which I invite attention. together
with some suggested amendments.
In view of the fact that segregation
marked a new departure in our tax
laws, and was dependent at every
stage on friendly and efficient admtnis~
tration. I feel 1t Is not inv'dious 10
say. with due regard TO the valuable
and faithful services OF many other
state officials, that no small share Of
the credit for the success Of segrega-
ton, especially the administrative fea-
lures of the system. Is due 10 my as
soclate members Of the state tax
board and the officers ana appointe@s
OF that board state and local, and par
ticuiarly to the auditor OF public ae-
counts, whose record of fidelity, ef~
GN'EnCY ana aU4tlNN maj ann 0S Az
official of rare value to the common
wealth.
Prohibition
Prohibition in Virginia Of the If
ccnsed traffic in Intoxicating ilauor
under a vigorous and rigid enforce
YI.ent has succeeded even beyond the
hope of it's proponents and has dis
armed and converted most OF 'ts OPP
uonents The recognized results OF
thio wholesome ard beneficent reform
afford an unanswerabie argument In
favor OF prohibition as state policy
tno abundantly Justify the belief that
the best interests of our o'Tn people
ard OF all the people would be pro-
u,oted by the adoption OF prohibition
ma a national policy. Some amend
.ments to the law are needed without
doubt One to which / invite your
attention Ia to prevent the waste
alcohol contained in liquor seized 70
violation of the law. Valuable food
stufrs were used In the manufacture
OF such liquor and In view of the ma
rtoual necessity Il is desirable that
they should be utilized In the public
interest I suggest an act whereby
.lqJor so seized may be sold under the
supervision of the Commissioner or
prohibition. preferably to the war de-
OF munitions OF war, in which such
material has valuable part. Provi
stcn should also be made whereby liq-
uors held by personal representatives
of estates NAV be disposed OF In a
IeArner similar to that above men
toned for the credit OF the benefici-
aries OF such estates.
Schools
The educational system OF the state
is in fair condition. Due TO the gem
erous provisions made under the segre-
cation system the public free schools
during the last two years have enjoy
ed an increased income from the stats
OF more than one million dollars az
compared with any other two years in
the history of Virginia. Some of this
increase has been derived from taxes
collected from properties in arrears,
commonly known as back taxes" In
view of the fact that this source of
revenue will be gradually diminishing.
7 trust the general assembly will make
ample provision to compensate the
school fund on this account. We should
not be content merely to maintain our
schools according to our present stand
ards but should insist upon such
steady advance In the usefulness and
efficiency Of the system as will be full
iy responsive to the enlightened de-
rnands OF a virile and progressive cit
ixenship.
Good Roads.
What I have said as to schools is
equally applicable TO roads. The peo-
pie cannot enjoy the full benefit of
their schools except as roads and
schoolhouses keep pace with each
other The general assembly should
plan eomprehenslFely with a view to
tudicious utilization OF federal aid and
such local aid as may be available.
Attention should be first given to
highways OF state Importance, and
especially TO those which will serve
to connect zones of roads already built
by the several counties The East and
West highway should be completed as
soon as possible by the building of
such connecting links as l have men
toned. A North and South highway
Is much needed. not only ms a matter
OF state utility but as matter of state
pride. here apply to roads general
principle already mentioned by the
suggestion that road work should be
accomplished by the use OF convicts
and jail men, together with prisoners
OF war as far as may be possible. No
conditions should be created or allow
ed tending to prevent the maintenance
OF roads already built. l am OF opiu-
ton that rn.a butIdipw and road in