The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-07
AMPLE FUNDS
 IN TREASURY No Need of Tax h. crease. JELKS GIVES HIS VIEWS Former Governor Discusses Severa
 Live Alabama Topics. Does Not Believe Treasurer VIII Find Any Difficulty In Meeting Appro- priations of Legislature-
 Stopping at Exchange.

Former Governor William D. Jelks, at the Exchange last night said that there was ample money in the State Treasury without adding a dollar to the assessment or putting in the Revenue Bill a single new item
 The Former Governor in his state ment to the newspaper men made it clear that if the State Tax Commission succeeded in raising the assessments to sixty per cent of the market value the assessment in Alabama would be doubled, because for tLe year ending 1906 the property on the tax books was assessed at only thirty per cent of it's value.
 The Governor expressed himself on the effect of the primary for Alternate Senator and the claims of Captain Bankhead for the seat left vac..nt by the death of Senator John T. Morgan. ike a number of others who have had something to say on the plan for nominating Alternate Senators the Governor saw nothing repulsive in it. In fact, he said the people were pleased with the plan and that If Bankhead was deprived of his victory it would bring on q lot of politics in Alabama"
 The Governor, alth0ng he ij inc terested in the new State insurance company which has just been formed did not have much to say about pros- pective insurance legislation. He took. that his company was behind the Gray Insurance bill of which so much has teen said.
 Speaking of the new company and insurance legislation the Former Cover nor said:
 T am here on some personal busi- ness and will remain over until Monday night, returning to Birmingham then"
 In answer to another question. the Governor said: NO, the new in- surance company. the Protective Life, Is not yet ready for Business. The actuary ha about finished the forms of the policies we i'll sell and as soon as we can set our printing done, we will have agents in fhe field"
 How do we stand with reference to the Gray bill9 We are entirely in. different, or amsAt least. The impres- sion gotten out, that the new company was behind the bill was circuiated from the idea that it would be In the interest of the new company The new company is not at all certain 1t would be to it's interest, and those who have thought so without proper con- sideration of what our interests really are.'
 You are not afraid that any leg islative act will affect the new com panyF'' asked the reporter. Not at all There is hardly a member of the present Legislature who will not wish the new company we'll We expect no sort of legislation adverse to our Nin- terests."
 About Bankhead? It is as it should be. There was no escape if escape had been desired. The people spoke. They wanted a primary. They got 1t. The action of the Executive Commit tee was very popular. You cannot turn the peoples stomach py putting names on a ticket. They not only want to vote for alternate Senators and alter nate other things, but alternates to al- ternates. Turning Bankhead down tics in this State"
 The reporter wanted to know of the former Governor what he thought tf the new tax on foreign companies. The cry from the cities is a very strenuous one. I do not know how the country people regard 1t; in Birming- ham the demand for It's repeal appears to be unanimous
 Besides, there will be ample money for all purposes. without adding a doI- lar to the assessment. or putting in the revenue bill a single new tax item. The Treasurer will in my opinion, be quite able to stand the extra $3,000, ,000 appropriated by the last Legislature, without changing the present tax rate or getting additional income from new items"
 Speaking of tax reminds me to say that if the new State Tax Board suc- ceeds in it's purpose to increase the present valuations up to SO per cent. 1t will increase the total assessment in this State 100 per cent. For the fiscal year ending October, 1906, the property on the tax books was In val uation not over 30 per cent, and amounted to $3S0, 100000. If 1t Is in- creased to SO per cent. the tax rolls ought 10 show something like $70O,- 900, 900. In SO far as the Board sue ceeds in equalizing values. no man can complain. Equalizing values has been a dream of tax economists for a cen tuIy.
 Mrs. Jelks Is with the former Gov ernOr. They are stopping at the Ex- change.