Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1925-04-15
NUISANCE TAXES" PoSSIBI-
LITY UNDER PROPOSED MEA-
SURE

with them during the World War. and
the citizens of West Virginia may
renew their acquaintance with them
in the next few months if some of
the suggestions for raising revenue
made by more than one legislator sh-
ould be enacted into law.
1t has been intimated that a tax
might be applied to some of the lux
uries of life. even when those Injuries
are such necessities as lip sticks. eye
brow pencils and rouge for the flap
per, Pittsburg stogies for the polite
ians, coffin nails for the college kids.
and movies for the young old and
middle-aged.
There is 90 doubt that considerable
revenue could be raised from this So
URGE. Furthermore it would be
burden borne only by those who felt
thew simply had to indulge themselves
Somewhat like the gasoline tax, which
is paid by those who use the roads,
the taxes on Injuries would be paid.
only by those who could afford to pay
them.
There seems to be some sentiment
in favor of a stamp tax. This would
perhaps, be the simplest form and
would be paid by the consumer.
There is some doubt however, If such
a tax could be levied on tobaccos
which already bear a heavy federal
excise burden. If the scheme did
not work on tobacco. il could be plac-
ed on the dealers as a privilege tax
and they would Of course, pass ii on
TO their consumers.
The senate finance committee has
already reported favorably Oh the
bill increasing the tax on gasoline
from two cents to three: and il this
measure is enacted into law. it will
bring in, according to some estimates
more than a quarter of Million dol
lars year in new revenue which
could be devoted to maintenance of
the state highways.
The building program committee
Of the legislature. which has lust
about completed It's inspections and
should be ready to report some time
this week. might possibly recommend
that the entire direct sthte levy be
used for building purposes. and that
the money now raised from this
source be secured elsewhere. While
such plan might take care of the
building. needs of the state. however.
it still leaves the question of getting
other revenue that must be forth
coming.
While Governor Gore and the heads
OF the several. state departments. bu-
reaus and agencies have been trying
to cut estimated expenditures for the
next two years to an irreducible mini !
mum, other agencies have been at
work doing the same thing. It is re-
ported that the state board of con-
troll. acting in accord with the new
executives wishes, has lopped about
a million and half dollars from its
for new buildings:
although it told the old budget COM
mission that such thing would be
mighty hard to do.
The new budget, which is the real
supplemental budget allowed by the (
constitution. is expected to be pre-
sened to the legislatures by Wednes- .
day. If it comes up on that day. the
lawmakers will have exactly nine leg
islative days in which to work on it.
If they have not taken final action
on the budget by midnight. April 81. I
the governor is required to extend
the session.
As rule. there is a great deal of
and debate on the budget
bill At the last session, the legisla-
tors were kept in Charleston for 108
days, INSTEAD of go, in order to pass
the appropriation measures. It would
of course, be possible for such a thing
to happen again, though no one ex-
poets it. In fact, it Is thought that
after two or three days of debate,
the lawmakers will be ready to take
final action on the bill in time to
avoid even a short extended session.
When the house of delegates con-
venes on Tuesday. 1t will probably
have a chance to express its views on |.
the Keatley waterpower bill. This
was on the calendar on Sec
ond reading on last Thursday when
the legislature recessed for the
Easter holidays. The lower branch
has authorized the rules committee TO
act as special calendar committee
and put on special calendar only
those measures which it believes are !,
of paramount importance.
While no announcement has been
publicly made, IL is understood that !
this committee viii get together late
Monday night or early Tuesday morn .
ing and prepare calendar for Tues /.
day. There is some probability that I
the waterpower bill will be among
those present. 1t seems to have been :
pretty definitely agreed that no wat
Empower legislation will be enacted ,
at this session, but it is the desire of /
those in charge of the measure to get ,
the bill out as target for the del /
egates to shoot at so that sentiment
IN regard to it may be accurately de-
objections stated, and COM
promises worked out.
Committees in both houses. as we'll
as the members of the legislature at {
large, have gone into the matter of
legislation thoroughly at {
this session and they should be in
position to evolve a bill that will be ;
entirely satisfactory to the state and
to he investor. In the face Of the {
depletion of the oil and gas Of the