Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-25
CITY MEN COMING
TO MAKE PROTEST
AGAINST FEE ACT
Expect to Tell Senators s.
Cent Levy for "Feeders''
Grossly Unfair.
DECLARE MUNICIPALITIES
TAXED FOR COUNTY ROADS
Already Paying More Than
Share, Owing to Unequal
Assessment.
NORFOLK COUNCIL STIRRED
After Hearing From Senator Mathews
Decides to Send Out Call
for Campaign.
DECLARE MUNICIPALITIES
TAXED FOR COUNTY ROADS
NORFOLK COUNCIL STIRRED
After Hearing From Senator Mathews
Decides to Send Out Call
for Campaign.

Orlc.als from several OF the cities
OF Virginia will arrive in Richmond
sth!s morning to appear before Sen
ate committees In opposition TO tho
proposed amendment TO the highway
bill. divertinE cents OF the special
tar to county feeder" roads. These
officials will join in the fight against
discriinination against the cities IN
favor of the counties. II is claimed
that the cities OF Virginia are already
paying an unfair proportion OF tho
State taxes owing TO tho unequal as
sessrnent OF property and that this pro-
posed extra appropriation OF cents TO
Of i. would have to he paid by the
people residing in the cities.
Delegation from Norfolk.
a telegram from Norfolk received
last night stated that Mayor Albert
J. Roper. CITY Manager g. T. Ash
burner and Councilman TruNton would
compose the delegation which that city
posed amendment senator 9. +.
Mathews. on Saturday. addressed a
special meeting Of the Norfolk city
Council and after a fun discussion of
the situation In the General Assembly
I WAS decided 70 send the delesation
to Riehmond and TO ask other cities
When the Senate convenes today the
bill for State highway commission
Will DC redt a second time. I1IS
measure was up for us second reading
Friday. hut when Senator Aubrey r..
Strode's motion for "a recommittal came
up il was agreed 20 pass the bill by
in order that opportunity might DC
given to offer amendments on the floor
OF the Senate. 1t is certain that the
Is quite possible that various changes
VIII be made.
Amendment, Are Expected.
& considerable number OF Senators
are by no means satisfied with the
failure OF the Roads and Internal Eavi-
bill an amendment allowing the re-
opentng OF ro9,e det,SiGns ALREADY
missioner. This amendment only failed
OF adoption in the committee by a tie
vote, and there is no question but what
IL viii be strongly pressed in the Sen
ate. There also many Senators
who are said 10 believe that members
of the proposed highway commission
sembly instead Of being appointed by
the Governor as the present bill pro-
poses. II is expected that other
amendments Will be pressed.
Increased Licenses Opposed.
While other committee meetings
the meeting o: the Senate. the most
important committee gathering will be
that or the Senate Finance Committee
which meets a o'clock this evening
10 hear the report Of its subcommit-
tee and IL take definite aston aston IN regard
some senators who think that this
sessions revenue measures should be
limited TO the general property tax
and the Increased automobile license
tax, there are others who favor raising
revenue from :eyery possible source,
taxes and increased merchants license
taxes.
There is a good deal Of opposition
merchants from 50 to SIS. Opponents
OF this increase admit that it is re-
lection on the State that about half
this minimum tax, which is based on
sworn statements that their purchases
At the same time they say that an
increased minimum tax will prevent
many from going into the mercantile
business and thus limit competition
They also point out that in any event
the increased tax will be passed on
TO the. consumer and thus add to the
cost OF living.
Judseship Caucus This Week.
Indications are that a joint Demo
cratic caucus OF the General Assem-
bly, will be called early this week for
supreme Court OF Appeals. to succeed
Judge Stafford G. Whittlc. whose
resignation will take effect December
Delegate Diilard said on Friday be-
fore leaving for his home that friends
of Judge H. w Saunders were con-
petition for the caucus. so as TO dis
pose of the matter at this session
I'VE are ready for the caucus" MIR
billiard said. but ii is not certain that
we will take the initiative in having
II called. The situation was to have
been discussed here this afternoon. but
was not. We may circulate the petition
early next week. That. however, has
not been decided
Upon the constitutionality of hold
ing the election at this session there
arc many divergent opinions. Many
lawyers hold that ii would be illegal.
since a vacancy in the court will not
actually exist until Judge Whittle has
relinQuished his seat on December 81.
others say it would be plainly within
the law, for, the reason that the Cen
eral Assembly has been formally noti-
fed that there would be a vacancy be-
fore the Legislature Will convene again
No formal opinion has been handed
down by the Attorney General
Besides Judge Saunders, the candi-
dates are Judge Robert G.. Southall. Of
Amelia; Judge Jesse F.. West, Of Wa
verify. and Judge Frank Christian, Of
Lynchburg.
} LcJeune mt Qunntico.
WASHINGTON. August 24.-Maior-