The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-08
Around Capital
Square
BY LYNN NISBET

of the highway patrol issued to the graduates
of the patrol school at Chapel Hill Saturday
had everything except the one essential. That
is the signature of Governor R. Gregg Cherry.
The governor has been at Miami all week
attending the Southern Governors conference,
and Col. Hatcher and other officials wanted to
deliver the certificates Saturday. So they
were prepared, imprinted with the great seal
Of the state and countersigned by the secretary
of state. When the governor returns to his
office he will affix his signature and make
the whole thing 'legal'.
AMENDMENT-The Governors absence has
also delayed effective date of the recently
ratified constitutional amendment providing
for jury service and other rights OF women,
Majority of the voters ratified this amend
ment on November 5; the state board OF
elections convassed the vote on November rs
and certified the r e S t next day to the
secretary of state, who then prepared neces-
sary' papers for the governors signature
but did not get them into the governors
hands before he left for Florida. Despite all
this action, the amendment is not technically
effective as a part of the constitution until
the governors certificate is returned to and
filed by the secretary Of state.
VALID-Some capitol square lawyers ques-
ton validity of action by county commissioner
in putting Women's names on the jury list
before ratification process is complete. Ma
jo-ity of them, however, agree there VIII
be basis for objection if women do not
actually sit on juries before the certificate
is filed with the secretary of state. If there
are instances of actual jury service by women
resulting in conviction, some Of the lawyers
think there might be grounds for objection
and appeal. The capitol square folks inter-
viewed had heard Of no actual jury service
by women, although they would not say there
has been no instance of it in the state.
TURNOVER-John R.. Morris, secretary OF
state sheriffs' association, said there we've
thirty-eight new sheriffs sworn in Monday
the largest turnover in recent years. There
was no change in political party representa-
ton among the sheriffs. The Democrats gained
four and lost four in the November voting.
Morris did not have figures on other county
offices throughout the state, but he is of the
opinion the SO percent urnove among
sheriffs tops the lost for changes, except in
a few positions where incumbents were moi
eligible for reelection.
TAxICABs-one Of the biggest and most
energetic-presumably among the most ex-
p~ensive-lobbies in the l945 general assembly
had to do with legislation affecting the licens,
ing and operation of taxicabs. That this ques-
ton will loom large in the next session is
indicated by action of the North Carolina
taxicab association voting to ask the legis.a-
tu-e to place them under jurisdiction Of the
utilities commission.
UNUSUAL-This is an unusual attitude in
view of the widespread objection to cen
tralized control of such small public services.
and it viii meet strenuous opposition from
several quarters. County and city commits
sioners have adopted resolutions asking for
~ ~ 1oco1 aor+rp1 C1nor1@. M Tohuco .<,tn
treasurer and avowed candidate for governor.
is openly sponsoring a constitutional amend
ment to give much greater authority to local
governmental. units.
DIssENSION Small Independent taxicab
operators, including many veterans, are under
stood to be opposed to any such Capitalization
of authority over this business, and the develop
ing scrap may cause violent dissension among
taxi operators.
EXPENSIVE - Regulation of all taxicabs
from state levels will be an expensive PROPOSE
ton. The inspection staff OF the utilities com
mission is admittedly inadequate now to super
wise railroads, inte--urban and street bus
systems. Hearings on convenience and neces-
sity; regulation of fares, routine and sanitary
condition of several thousand taxicabs would
impose a heavy burden on the state agency.
UNIFORMITY-As the time for listing prop
erty in the 100 counties of North Carolina fo-
Ladvalorem taxation approaches there is re-
newed interest in the question of uniform
valuations. The law requires property to be
listed at cash market value as of January /
but this ideal objective has not even been
attempted. Some counties attempt it, but
most of them admittedly list at lower than
market values and adjust tax rates accordingly
in order to raise necessary revenue.
Observation-Disclosures are known of
wide discrepancies. A team of mules might
be listed in one county at $500 with a Use tax
rate, and in adjoining county the same team
would go on the books for $500 at a dollar
tax rate. Real estate values also vary greatly
among the counties, some counties rather
openly adopting a rs percent or less valuation
for tax purposes. One county reports a little
in excess of four and a half million taxable
values, yet has nearly eight millions in home
bank deposits and annually sells above six
million dollars worth of home grown farm
produce on local markets.
INTANGIBLES-The only ad valorem tax
collected by the state is on intangibles, and
the rate on classifications differs but 1t is
uniform in each of the 100 counties. This
uniformity is obtainable only because the
intang ible items are listed at 100 percent
value, as determined by means othe- than
personal opinion Of appraisers.
EQUALIZATION-The Importance of more
uniformity in taxable valuation in the several
counties is important in view of proposals
for state aid in school building construction