The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-31
GEORGIA TAX RATE IS
S. ON $1,000.
Franchise Tax Assessments, as Made,
Included in Basis Of Levy, and
1t Will Now Be UP to
the Arbitrator To
Make Good.

I'VE HILLS, OF % on $i,Uto or property re-
turned
This is 80 cents per $1,000 less than the
tax rate last year. which was $50 mills.
1t is also less by q cents on $1,000 than
| the maximum rate fixed by the legislature
In the general tax act, that maximum
being five mills for general purposes and
II mills for the sinking fund.
Up to the Arbitrators.
An interesting feature developed in ar
| irving at the tax rate Is that the gov
ernor and the comptroller general have
put it squarely up to- the arbitrators to
make good the franchise assessments put
upon the big corporations by Comptroller
General Wright.
After going over the question it was
decided that in summing up the total
property returns or valuations as basis
for fixing the tax rate, the commission
had no authority to assume that the as
sessments on franchises and physical
property of the corporations would not
be adhered to by the boards of arbltra-
ton which now have them under con-
sidera ton. These assessments, it was
contended, We're made on fair, just and
equitable basis. and it would be con-
cesSion on the part of the comptroller
Il
for the purpose of arriving at total of
property values.
Both the governor and the comptroller
general thought the rate should be based
on those assessments, and let the re-
sponsibility fall where it will if they d"
not measure up to the figures which the
comptroller general has fixed.
How the Rate Was Arrived At
The total franchise assessments made
NV no
SIS, 500 600, including also some slight in
crease in assessments on physical prop
critics of certain corporations. The in
crease in the tax digests over last year
is $2260l,9i6 making a total increase in
property valuations for the entire state
over last year of s51,1049i6.
This increase added to the total of prop
erty returns for last year, gives the total
property valuations for the state this
year at $5lS AS, 592.
This total valuation at a tax rate OF
five mills will yield to the state $2o42'-
or Sc from which must be deducted per
cent for expenses Of collection. or Sl21-
103.S 50 leaving net $2,41i,914.o7. To this Is
added $4,000 which the state receives
from other sources, such as half the /
rental of the Western and Atlantic rail I
road specific taxes and taxes on profess
sions making the total receipts to De
counted on " 500, o7i07
Ti~e appropriations which must be met,
it was lUunu Wednesday after a revision
of the figures are s., 9253C6. This shows
a deficit of $50, 392 but it was estimated
that the increased receipts from special
taxes over last year will fully make up
this amount. They Will more than do 1t
if they show anything like a comparative
increase with that of real and personal
property.
on this basis it will be seen that the
state will come out even There is no
treasury balance that could be depended
IN and all of the public property fund has
oecn spent; but these resources Were not
needed.
The governor and comptroller general
lave found themselves embarrassed no
title in settling the question of the tax
ate by the failure of these boards of
,itration to have their returns in hand
n time The tax rate must be fixed
a full time to give notice Of 1t to all
ak receivers and collectors throughout
he state on or before September l. 1t
evident how the failure to have in
and some $25o00,0Qo or $50, 600 900 of re-
arms must embarras the tax commission
arriving at a conclusion.
1t has been suggested that the legisla-
are take the matter UP next year and |
mend the law 50 to require such ar
iration boards TO have their returns in
le hands of the comptroller general by
certain date and in QUO time to permit
f their being considered in fixing the tax ,
ate. 9
The rate of five mills fixed by the com
ission covers everything for which the
ate viii have 60 raise funds It -
vded as follows: For general purposes 6
% mills; for education Ito mills ana for S
e sinking fund q mills. 3
Date for Arbitration t
Dates have been sot for several Of the I
of franchise tax values Of the
g railroad systems which have been i"
dispute since the assessments were D
ade by Comptroller General Wright Q
The arbitration Of the franchise assess u
ent as well as the physical property as
ssment of the Atlantic Coast Line rail- u
ad, has been fixed for September IS. ~
ne arbtrators in this case are Hon. Is
Gunby Jordan. representing the state; 81
+. GOODYEAR of Brunswick repre- &c
nting the Coast Line. and former Gov bs
nor Alien d. Gambler, umpire "
The arbitration of the assessments OF
9 Georgia Railway and Electric Com =
ny Will take place on September % u
No date has vet beet set for the arbi- al
alton of the assessments of the South gr
n railway. Hon. Roland Ellis who rep tn
sents the road, was in the city yester-
Y. and said he had been waiting on the -
ties Representatives, who is Hon T. 81
pc Prown. Mr. Ellis said he had noti-
d Mr.. Brown more than a week ago -
It he would be ready at any date he CE
ght fix to take the matter mp He said
had not yet heard from Mr. Brown.