Evening star., 1926-06-20
BYRD OPENS FIGHT
ON GAS TAX EvADER
Asks Railroads and Ship
Companies for Full Data
on All Consignees.
snecIaI Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The star
RICHMOND. Va, June 19-In-
terest has been aroused by the
action of Gov. Byrd in asking the
railroads to furnish him with a list
of consignments Of gasoline handled
by them for delivery in this State,
and TO whom and when. The same
information is requested of the steam
ship companies. That the governor
may have received information of the
"hootlegging" of gasoline is the belief
of. some, and the matter of the
tax of AZ cents a gallon is IN
volved. The information has not yet
heen furnished the governor, or 1t
has not been announced The laws Of
the state would apply harshly to such
persons as might have engaged in the
unfair practice, and the check-up on
the part of the carriers will disclose
whether the practice has been en-
ployed.
If the conditions suggested shall be
established it is a safe conjecture that
the governor will get right behind
whoever may he engaged in the busl-
ness and prosecutions will follow.
Autoists Ask Damages.
The state highway department is
quests from the users of the improved
highways. One of the latest was that
filed hy persons who used the high
ways over which large quantities of
tar and other materials had been
poured. 1t is claimed that the tar
and other substances damaged the
cars and forced several owners to
have their cars repainted, and the
State is called on to pay for this
work. The highway commissioner
says that when the composition is put
on the roads they are not to be used
for a day or two. hut that if persons
use them they must stand the possi-
bility of damage. The contention is
that If the State is liable for such
damage that there is just the same
liability for damage done to machines
by reason of the mud in wet seasons.
None of the claims have been paid
and none will he paid.
With the nomination of George G.
Peery of Tazewell to succeed himself
In Congress. the entire membership
from Virginia again is seeking re-
election. Only one member of Con-
gresS has opposition. Representative
Joseph T. Deal of Norfolk having two
opponents. Col George G. Cahell of
Portsmouth and Senator Alfred c.
Smith of Norfolk County. Mr.. Peery
IS the only man in the State who will
have to make more than a casual
campaign. Mr.. Peery has a fight. for
the ninth district is very close and
swings first one way and then an
other, and since G. BaScom Slemp
refused TO stand for Congress in that
district the Democrats have managed
10 win and the ma jority has been in
creasing steadily.
chairman l.. r. Goombs of the
ninth district says that he has no fear
of the outcome this Fall He predicts
the ma jority for Mr.. Peery will far
exceed the 5000 that was returned
for him two years ago.
BOOtIeggers Attacked.
Mai Jordan of the police depart
ment has set about to wear the boot
leggerS down. Once he raids a place
he continues to send the men back
10 see if the law is being observed
and in this way he manages to keep
the violators of the law constantly on
the lookout. Maj. Jordan. after hav-
IN" raided places more than once
will hereafter employ the paddock
system to keep them closed.
Richmond business men are TAX
ing steps looking to preventing over
tapping of the drives" for various
movements. There are so many of
these in vogue that before the cam
paign for one can be completed
another has been launched, the re-
suit being that. scarcely a month
passes when there is not a PROPOSE
ton for some deserving and worthy
object. The people of Richmond
some years ago perfected a com
munity plan for taking care of the
many charities. organizing and COM
bining the collections for all of them
into one movement and getting rid
Of the constant appeals for the vari-
Gus independent associations and
eliminating many of that class who
existed solely on the charitable or
-anizatious. This new scheme is TO
accomplish the same thing among
the propositions that appeal to the
liberality and civic pride of the
people.