Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-04

GOV. zoK
reduced. then the shippers OF Georgia
are entitled 10 have them lowered. Elk
cessfve rates should not be charged ship
pers In Georgia to enrich railroads out
side OF Georgia.
This question interests equally every
point In Georgia and applies TO ship
ments into Georgia and out OF Georgia
equally.
The present commission has recognized
by vote OF three to two this pFinci-
pie.
A general revision OF our Georgia rates
to and from the ports OF Georgia, based
upon the principle TO which have re-
ferred, would be most beneficial to the
state and not injurious to the railroads
in Georgia. On the contrary, it should
increase their business and thereby in
crease their profits.
I suggest that the legislature appoint a
committee 20 investigate this question
with the end In view OF fixing a policy
in Georgia which viii require recog-
milton Of the doctrine that Georgia trans
portaszon TO and from the ports shall
not be controlled in the interests OF long
rail hauIs outside OF Georgia.
CONvICTS AND GOOD ROADS.
Many regard the act passed at the
extra session OF the legislature in the
fall of 1908 as the most important Leg
islation Of the period I am consider
ing. 1t is the act which broke up con-
Wet leases and put the convtcts upon
the public roads OF the state.
when it was befores the Legislature
many good men opposed 1t because they
believed IT would be impossible to
handle the convicts upon the public
roads. Now. It il safe TO say that
ninety per cent OF our people realize its
value, and rejoice in the good that IL
being accomplished. From one end OF
the state to the other good roads are
being built which are absolutely essen
tial to the Improvement OF farm condi-
lions and to the removal OF isolation
from rural life.
The good work must go on until
Georgia has in every part OF every
county q road which win put the farm
er's home in easy >access TO his county
site.
HIGHWAY COMMISSION.
1 join in the recommendation for the
creation OF a highway commission.
do not believe ii would be proper to
give such a commission authority To
fix where a road should be worked, but
witn a non-poIiticaI commission, auth
information could be gathered and plans
and suggestions made of great value
to all the counties in the state. Such
man should be able to furnish infor-
nation as to how the best OF machtn-
cry can be bought and what the best
material for road building Is. He
should make his office a clearing house
OF information and cooperation for the
various counties OF Georgia In theil
road building.
AUTHORIZING BILL.
Among the bills which were consid'
cred at the session OF 1907 and 1s0S
was the anti-lobbyfne bill At this
time each house had a bill OF it's OWE
and neither house would agree upor
the bill prepared by the other house
I very cordially recommend the adop-
ton OF an anti-lobbying bill during this
session and I trust no disagreement be-
tween the two houses may make sucf
action impossible.
FINANCES.
renew my Recommendation made
more than two years ago for the crea
ton OF an audit department. 30 essen
tial to the proper management OF thu
business OF the state.
/ will not at this time discuss the
financial condition OF the state furthel
than to urge the great Importance o.
making provision by which TO pay thu
teachers just as promptly as any othei
obligation OF the state.
PAY OF TEACHERS.
II is utterly inexcusable to emplo,
teachers for an agreed monthly com
/ pensation and then not pay them whel
the service has been rendered.
Under our system of collecting taxes
our ad valorem taxes are not due unit
December goth. and yet the appropria
tons for the current year are madi
lchargeable in large part to the ad va
loren taxes.
preparations for pensions and the publi
schools, are met by our current in
come. but to meet the appropriations t.
pensions and to public schools the az
vaIorem taxes are required.
Two years ago We had a surplus OF
the first of January of something owe
$4,000. 10000 with which to begin tn
fiscal year This paid the pensions
and carried the demand upon the ap
preparation for schools until about tn
first OF August. BY that time II wa
exhausted and payments to. schoo
teachers were necessarily delayed unit
the December collections from ad va
loren taxes.
II the appropriations since that tim
have not exceeded the revenue we cal
handle our finances by the enactmen
of two provisions.
Those corporations which make thei
returns to the comptroller general ant
pay their taxes directly to- the treasur
er, pay annually about s750.000.00 Tn
amount of their taxes viii naturally b
increasing year by year.
4 An amendment to the constitution
providing that the taxes OF these compa
MES should be payable on September |
would relieve greatly the pressure whicl
at that season OF the year has hereto