The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-01-24
BLOCH DISCUSSES


may become public charges, said amount
10 be paid upon approval Of the State
Board OF Control. in a manner herein
after set forth-1922, $4,000; 1928, 50,-
600"
\ Relative to the states revenue, Sem
ator Bloch declared he does not believe
that the citizens OF the state generally
realize just how serious is the problem
which confronts the legislature.
Heretofore" he said. the legislature
has provided about :4O00.000 a year for
state purposes. believe that for the
next two years it viii require all Of
sic. 06h.060. or sS.00O.O00 per year. The
two budget bills referred to above ag-
Ereeate close 10 s6,0O0.00O for each Of
the next TWO years. In addition 10 the
provisions Of these measures, we are
confronted with the necessity for build
ing new capitol. some provision. must
ne made for state road bonds. and there
Is II heavy demand for additional i'm
rrovements for practically I'll state in
st;tuti"ns. am confident that IL We
could raise $4,000. 900 for the next two
years. every dollar could be spent wise
~ and 70 advantage.
How Raise the Money.
How are we to &c; all this money?
The more ! study the situation. the more
! an convinced that our only hope lies
In Il general production tax: and be-
ltcEc that Il great many men of large
interests arc coming around TO that
view. have always believed that the
OF! and gas production tax was just. and
II tax Of that kind alone would provide
the state with 100000 additional rev.
"nuc. \ considerable number of the
more influential coal operators Of the
northern and central part Of West Viz
GINA / believe, have become convinced
that n production or depletion tax OF.
coal production IS justified. and that
they may not oppose moderate tax OH
r"ai produrti"r am also Informed
that producers Of lumber are willing to
srrept 4 lumber production tax.
Tomorrow tho coal production tax
measure and also q lumber production
tax measure will be introduced in the
legislature. These rruposed production
taxes. with the oil and gas production
taN measures which have already been
introduced. ] believe. will be the prir-
Cipa. sources of revenue upon which the
etatr will have 10 dcpead.
THE proposed sales tax measure which
vas discussed for time. do not think
will receive very serious cons idarat ton.
This is only my view. but believe that
sh!s attitude represents the views OF 4
Gerry considerable number Of legislators
II. course. II - evident that an oil and
gas production or revenue tax is the
should be passed. OIL and gas consti
tutc a different kind OF property anil
are produced under different condi-
lions: but l firmly believe that coal Of:
orators of the state generally realize
that their industry creates charge
Gpon the state for frequent inspections
hospital maintenance AMI frequently
the maintenance of law ana order which
= unusual. and that therefore. the coal
operators should contribute something
to the support of the state as we'll as
pay for the depletion Of natural wealth.
Tho fact that Governor Sproul has
recommended n coal production tax in
The great coal producing state of Penn
$ylrania has had powerful indluenra
on legislators, and l believe on Wcs:
Virginia coal producers. 1t is generally
realized that We must have more rev.
cnuc. ana the more liberal minded men
unSa G"d in tho coal industry. l am in
"lincd TO believe Will not object serious
y to sharing their just portion of the
burden"