Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-01
HOUSE WOULD WITHDRAW
TAX ON FARM PRODUCTS
Rep. Alexander Would Not
Tax Certain Products Duck
town Matter Up

at lZ:45 O'CLOCK, on parliamentary
move made by friends of the measure,
the house adjourned after voting to dis
agree with the committees report
which was unfavorable to the bill.
The majority attained on this vote was
not enough to give the bill itself the
necessary two-thirds majority The vital
vote will be taken Friday morning when
the vote comes up as unfinished busi-
nes Friends of it claim 1t will pass, and
that members who were pledged to vote
| for it lodged the vote Thursday.
The discussion of this bill. which be-
gan Wednesday morning. has inspired
more speeches on both sides than any
two bills this session. Members who
have never had the floor before since they
! have been members of the assembly,
arose and argued It.
THE HOUSE SESSION.
The first signal OF the fight that is
coming on compulsory education in Geor-
gia within a few days, was displayed in
the house OF representatives Thursday
morning by Mr.. Lttleton, of Richmond,
author OF the bill. who offered resolu-
ton, which was adopted that 200 copies
Of the proposed bill be printed for the
information of the house, in whose hands
lies it's fate.
This bill has proven a magnet for ora
tory. More speakers were heard on 1t
than on any other two measures combin-
ed this year.
Mr.. Milikin favored the bill, saying that
the dollar the professional man puts in
his pocket is money some other man has
made, whereas the dollar that farmer
makes is taken out of the ground and
added to the wealth Of the world.
Mr.. Henderson of Irwin, introducing
himself as producer" argued against
the measure. saying that the landlord
will get its benefits, and no one else. 1T
is class legislation of the worst kind. The
principle is wrong"
Mr. Heard of Dooly. called it class leg
islation, unfair and unjust. II come from
a wealthy farming section. We don't
want this
Mr.. Persons of Monroe, spoke against
the bill, beginning his argument by re-
citing that the committee on constitu-
tional amendments had voted against
the passage.
Mr.. White of Screven, argued vigorous
ly for the bill.
Mr.. Atkinson OF Morgan. opposed it,
saying 1t would not help the poor farmer,
whom IT is intended to help.
Mr.. Hill OF Monroe, favored 1t. saying
that it is called class legislation but
there is hardly a law on the statute
books that is not more or less so.
VOTE FOR EXTENSION.
A motion by Mr.. Hall of Bibb, prevail
ed, at 1920, that the session of the house
(due to adjourn at l o'clock be extended
TIL the question then before it could be
disposed OF.
Mr.. Mcconnell OF Gwinnett. spoke for
the bill, deriding the cry that it is class
legislation.
Mr.. Edwards of Walton called the main
question at 1880 and the call was sus-
tanned.
Mr.. Alexander of DeKalb, called for
the ayes and noes. This was sustained.
The main question was on agreeing to
the committee report, which was against
the BILL Aye votes on this question was
against the bill, therefore, and nay votes
were for II.
The vote resulted 56 ayes to 81 nays,
disagreeing with the report and putting
the question up to the house to vote on.
Wednesdays whole morning session,
with the exception of an hour devoted to
the memorial services in honor Of the
late Capt. A. s. Reid, deceased member
from Putnam county, was given over to
argument on the measure of Messrs.
Alexander of DeKalb and Johnson of
Barlow, exempting farm products from
taxation for a year after harvesting
while in the hands of their producers.
Both Mr.. Johnson and Mr.. Alexander
are confident, despite strong antagonism
to the bill on the part of some members,
that it will receive the necessary two
thirds majority.
EXEMPT FARM PRODUCTS.
After the new bills were cleared away
and several committee reports read, the
general bill by Messrs. Alexander of De-
KaIb and Johnson of Barlow (house
bill q, introduced June rs, 1909, and re-
ported unfavorably by the general ag-
riculture committee), came up as spe-
cial order of business.
This bill seeks to make an amend
ment to the constitution which relates
to the power of the general assembly to
exempt property from taxation, so that
the general assembly may exempt UNI
manufactured farm products, including
baled cotton, in the hands of the pro-
Queer and grown in Georgia.
Mr. Alexander spoke for the bill, ar
guing all it's points and answering fire.
quent questions. emphasizing the facts
that II will exempt only farm pro-
ducts in the hands of producers, for one
year after their production. Mr.. Alex
ander brought out the point that the
proposed law would permit farmers to
hold their cotton for year without tax
alton, waiting without handicap for a
price that suits them. Answering
question by Mr.. Heard of Dooly, Mr..
Alexander said he did not concede the
measure is class legislation because it
makes an exemption in favor of one man
that another man don't get.
Mr.. Hall of Bib: 'Will the man with
the hoe get any beneht from this bill?"
Mr.. Alexander: Il don't know. I
hope So"
Mr.. Hall of Bibb was recognized and
attacked the measure.
This bill in one shape or another is
an old acquaintance of mine" said he.
II warn you now-pass this bill, and it
will turn out curse to the very men
it is intended to benefit"
Mr.. Boyd OF Spalding: Wouldn't II be
as just to extempt the money that a
farmer gets for his cotton?"
Mr.. Hall: 1.-The principle would be the
same"
Mr.. Tuggle OF Troup: Are the farmers
themselves making any demand for it?"
Mr.. Hail. II don't know. They are
very foolish II they do"
Mr.. Atkinson of Morgan: 'T am one
of these town farmers. When my ten
ants bring their crops to me in the fall.
am I relieved from tax on those crops %
Mr.. Hall: Yes, you would be exempt"
Mr.. Atkinson: Then 1 don't want it,"
Mr.. Hill of Monroe: 'Is the gentleman
from Bibb willing to let the people them
selves say what they want on this ques-
tion2'
Mr.. Hill: "If the gentleman had been