The Washington times., 1929-07-22
POLLARD LISTS
VITAL ISSUES
IN VIRGINIA

John Garland Pollard, one
Of the leading aspirants for
Virginia Democratic guberna-
torial nomination in the pri-
mary to be held August s, has
issued a statement as to what
he believes to be the vital
issues in Virginia and the most
important planks in his plat
form.
Pollard discusses the progress %
Virginia under Byrd and clearly
states his position on tax reforms
law enforcement. education Of chill
dren. ana matters pertinent to the
future healthy growth Of the States
He says in part:
Accomplishments Listed
II here record In the briefest
possible form q partial list Of re-
cent fiscal accomplishments Of Vlr.
ginia under Democratic admins
tratfOn:
Il. The State tax On land and
tangible personal property has
been repealed, and 81 counties and
cities are still enjoying there
from . tax reduction aggregafing
. million and q half dollars q year.
Y. Tax on capital and business
has been reduced from $1.15 to
IS cents.
s'3. Tax ON bonds, notes and other
evidences Of debt has been re.
duced from IS cents to 80 cents.
~. Tax reductions aggregatfng
approximately 81 200 600 were made
effective during the year 1928, and
$50, 900 IN the year 1880.
.4 70. Appropriations TO public
schools have been increased $625,-
900 per annuI1.
IS. The mileage OF the State
roads has been increased from
1000 TO 1000 miles.
"a. A deficit of approximately
$1,000, 900 has been turned into 8
surplus Of Sc, 500, 600. not by fn.
Creasing the tax burden, but By
more effective administration of
the tax laws, requiring those to
atiOn In whole or IN part.
"6. New Industries have been
established In the State. investing
approximately 500, ,000, 900.
The only increase in taxes, exs
cept the increase Of the gas tax
which Is dedicated entirely to the
roads, was an increase of one-haH
Of one per cent on incomes below
$5,O OO0.00 and one per cent on In.
comes above that amount.
Reduction Of Taxes
AFTER consideration 81 the con.
dition Of the treasury, I have CONS
to the conclusion that taxes can.
and should be reduced: but / am
sorry to find myself unable to join
my Democratic opponents and the
Republicans and their allies In com.
miting myself as to the exact direcs
tion in which the reduction should
be made. Not until 1882 win the
incoming Governor present his
budget to the General Assembly
and am not wise enough to fore.
cast conditions at that time. shall
not allow my desire to Be Governor
Of Virginia cause me to make any
commitments which would prevent
my acting for the public good In
the light Of all facts which may
have developed when the time
comes for action But I hereby
pledge the people to recommend
reduction In taxes Just as far a.
can be done consistent with the
public welfare.
Next in Importance Is the educae
ton Of our children. Here, too,
much progress has been made: but
there still remain III Virginia many
communities unable t0 furnish their
children adequate educational facili.
ties. This condition should not
exist. Public education Is the func.
ton OF the whole State. i. there.
fore, favor larger State approrria.
tions for the equalization Of educa-
tional opportunities so that the
children In the less wealthy COM
munities may receive the highest
type Of instruction.