Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-10
OPPOSES ANY INCREASE
IN REAL ESTATE RATE
Rents Already Too High in Rich
nlond, Says One Member OF
Council.
WANTS HIGHER RATE FOR GAS
Says Price Should BE Raised So
That Gas Works Will Bear In
creased Expenses - Would En-
p!0y Fewer Teachers.

Citizens will be given the opportunity
OF presenting argument against the
proposed incscase I'm tax rates by the
Council Committee on Finance at Il
public meeting Friday night. IT Is OK
pectcd that several meetings viii be
necessary before the hearing Is COM
plcted. All sessions. which VIII be
open to tho public. viii be held in the
Council chamber, and no one will be
prevented from expressing his views
on the suggested higher taxes.
Several Councilman said yesterday
that they believed an increase In the
tax rate OF the city was necessary. but
declared that the necessity for the ad-
vanccd rate must be clearly shown be-
fore favorable action would he taken
by the Council. Many business men
arc inclined 10 believe that tho city
must have additional revenues. since
they are una bic to see where any gen
crai reduction In it's expenditures can
be made. There Is. however, consid-
crable objection in certain quarters
over the fiat 10 per cent increase on
ali subjects Of taxation
This objection is based on the fact
that many individuals ana commercial
establishments Will be forced TO pay
Increased taxes OF 50 many subjects.
On the other hand, tho statement 4.
made that the general increase is the
faircst plan that could be worked out
ny the Finance Committee.
PROVIDES A GENERAL
10 FER CENT INCREASE
The ordinance recommended by the
Finance Committee. ana which has
been recomm!itcd to tina, body alon:
with the budget for 4 public hearing
provides for general increase ot 10
per cent on real estate and tangible
personal property. increasing tho .atc
on those items from si.GJ 10 sIS2 A
At
all sewer areas and vaults, market
rentals. capitatiou tax, telegraph and
telephone pole tan merchants and zen
cral Licenses automobile. wagon and
dog licenses. permit fees and water
rents. while the price Of pas is liked a.
30 cents per 1000 feet instead OK 50
cents.
ono Councilman declared Yesterday
that he believed the Proposed increases
were too drastic, and, IS an Illustration.
pointed out that 4 small merchant I:uat
make all the payments Of AN Individual
on his holdings. must pay additional
taH"S on his merchants license. auto.
mobile water and Ga5 bills. making
the - per cent increase apply TO s!%
or eight subjects Of taxation
Conditions are Unprecedented and
tn" city should oconomizc," he said
IT seems u me that some bette.
solution Of the problem could be work
cd OFT. The price Of gas has been
Increased from 50 cents to 90. while
the cost Of uas this year Viii be s.
r"nt9. according to iucmhcrs Of tn.
Iiuino" Committee WHO have stated
that even at that rat" the sns plant
VIII run behind about 100000. mr-
this must be made W from other
-oUrccs.
WOULD MAKE: Gas WUnI<S
HEAR IT'S OWN nIRpEN
Many cities have a higher rate than
go cents. and ! believe that the GA
Works should be ,,ln.io 10 pay all op.
Grating costs. II The price OF g.s
Mas increased temporarily TO- such q
figure 49, 20 make /, a paying rropo-
Rition. II rart % the increased tan rate
would b. NnUcc"A Jry. The iow"~
works is allotted 100000 more Tins
ycar Than il 1917 because Of the high
nrccs prevailing for oil and coal. Tho
budget is about $500 900 greater ih!s
YEAR than last. and. excluding tie
100000 for the GAS Works there would
remain only s4Op. 900 to I've found to
compl"t" the budget. There IS no ~ea-
scu why gas should be sol! at les,
price for the commodity they arc buy
!nG.
Increased salaries TO school-teach-
crs Is meritorioms, and without a doub,
X was necessary TO keep the instrIc-
tors. However. l. IL not possible fo-
Inc Upr3tlOl or the war tp elm mat"
som" Of tle So.callcd 'fril!S' in the
scrool". reduce tho number OF teach
crs 50 engaged ana distribute the saw
int among the other teachers II thi.
We're possible and the 100000 add.-
tiOnal allotted them saved, there would
remain only s:oh0o0.
1T may not be possible: but II ]: Is.
the number % employees in the city
government should be reduced. The 10
per cent increase IN wages was given
last September, Of course. ana was
needed, Gu, IL might be possible &"
slightly reduce tho city's force. In
creased salaries will cost about sl6o,-
900 this year, and the bulk goes to the
Fire, Police and STRENGTHENING De-
partrcnts. but &C monies might be cf-
fcctrd III other departments.
','hc tax rate on real estate sh"tld
no. he increased under any circun-
stances. Rents in Richmond are row
unusually high; so high, in fact. tnat
Richmond is suffering from il. Hum
drcds Of people decline I" make this
city their home for this reason. We
should fight 10 retain our prescn, rate
on real estate"
Snruce-Richnrdson.
..b-