Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-08
BYRD RECOUNTS
STATES GROWTH
Retiring Governor Appears
Before Assembly to Account
for Stewardship.
BY the Associated Press.


RICHMOND. Va. January s.-Gov
Harry Flood Byrd, appeared before the
General Assembly today to give an &C.
count of his stewardship, to thank his
,co-laborers for their cooperation anc
to predict for the State q continued
march of progress under the leader
ship OF his successor, Or. John Garland
Pollard.
Reviewing the immense strides since
his Inauguration, not only In develop
ment OF resources, but, also in revision
OF the States governmental system, Gov
Byrd recalled his own statement early
In his term, to "let. us make, progress
the slogan Of virginia"
THE time was ripe for this appeal
and the response was generous" said
the Governor today. Men of different
political faiths adjourned politics and
united their efforts to promote the
progress of Virginia.
1927 Banner Year.
In 1927. he said, Virginia made the
largest industrial progress OF any State
in the Union, adding $265, 000, 900 to in
vested industrial capital: Sis 900 900 70
the value of its industrial output and
$4,000 new workers on the pay rolls OF
the State. Bank resources during the
last four years increased from $40
$4,000 to $3.50, 100000, a rise Of $685.
coo 900,
Another indication of the States
growing prosperity was seen in in
creased income tax payments to the
Federal Government, exceeding all
Southern States except Texas.
All possible encouragement has been
given during the last four years TO de-
velopment of water resources, he said.
In an effort to develop cheap power In
advance of industry.
Touching on farm problems, the gov
ernor. said that as a farmer himself
he had realized as keenly as any the
difficulties that beset the States agri-
cultural interest. In seeking TO remedy
this situation it is the duty Of the State
to exert It's every power to improve the
in his problems, he added.
Removal of the State tax on land
and tangible personal property has re-
suited in a direct reduction in taxes
to the farmers of $4,327,947 for the
years 1927, 1928 and 1929, said the
governor. "a
Road development.
virginia's progress in, road develop
ment under pay-as-you-go plan
without ,n1ortgaging the future" during
ing that the highway system had in
creased from 1890 miles to 1882 miles.
approximately IS per cent, 2,232 miles.
having been taken over from the coun-
ties during the administration.
Notable progress has been accom-
pliShed in tax reform. he said, through
segregation of tax subjects as between
State and localities Segregation, said
Gov. Byrd, has tended to equalize the
tax burden and thus make the tax sys-
tenn more equitable.
Under the reorganization program
which has been carried out the next
governor will be the business head of
the State. The governor will have a
cabinet responsible to him, following
adjustment of more than 80 of the
100 old State departments.
. A new accounting system has been in
operation since March /. 1928. revolu-
tionizihg the State system of account
ing and representing, declared the gov
ernor, .'perhaps the greatest single
accomplishment Of our administrative
reform"
Diseases Wiped Out.
Virginia has continued its march in
elimination of dangerous diseases, q
movement begun in 1903 by \ reorgan-
lied Health Department, which has de-
creased typhoid more than 80 per cent,
cut SO per cent from the tuberculosis
death rate and virtually wiped out
malaria.
The States total Indebtedness has
been decreased by 81 ,009, 72s in the four
fiscal years of the administration, 30
that il sinking fund amounts are de-
Quoted the net Indebtedness remains
approximately 500, geo 900.
Additional steps have been taken for
conservation of wild life, Gov. Byrd
said, declaring the most valuable prop
erty owned by the State to be 260, 900
acres of State oyster rocks whose actual
.vake is estimated from 500 600, 900 to
5000 100000. He, deplored the fact that
no program had been agreed upon for
their conservation.