Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-21

A message on the financial status OF
the state was forwarded to the general
assembly by Governor Smith this morn
ing and read in both houses.
In 1t the governor improves the oppor-
tunity to renew his recommendations that
the tax date be advanced and that the
governors borrowing power be Increased.
He states that of the $4,000 appro-
priated for the public buildings and
grounds fund for the year, he found only
5000 left him by his predecessor, and
of $1,000 contingent fund for the year.
he found only s4.21s. He is compelled to
request, he says, that appropriations be
made to bring the former up to $12,500 and
the latter up to $500 for the half year
remaining.
He says that the indications are the
appropriations for 1911 will exceed the
revenue for 1911 by -s227,149. He urges that
appropriations be held down in future
for each year TO the states revenue for
that year. He Endorses the license tax
per horsepower on automobiles as a
means of increasing the revenue. and
suggests that the appropriations for
schools and pensions be not increased
during the neKta two years because there's
no sense IN increasing them If there's no
money to meet the increase.
Following is the message in full:
TEXT OF MESSAGE.
STATE OF GEORGIA.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Atlanta, -uIy 10, 1911.
To the General Assembly,: ~
have the honor to ubmit the following
facts and suggestions with reference TO
the financial matters connected with the
business of the state:
The appropriations for the present year
for public buildings and grounds was $751;
900. Ny predecessor who filled the office
of governor for the first six months OF
the year had drawn warrants against
this sum for SIG. 413.42 He also left I'M
paid bills for several hundred dollars in
addition, so that of the $4,000 appro-
been spent during the first six months.
leaving only 5000 for the balance of the
year.
It requires slightly over $1,000 month
to pay the expenses chargeable to the
public buildings and grounds account.
The contingent fund for the present
year year was $4,000, Against this fund
checks have been drawn for s1i, o..
There was balance on hand from 1910
of $2O2S3 The present balance, therefore,
Is only $4219.7S.
regard $4,000 as an amount reason
ably necessary for the contingent fund
for II months. One-half of this amount is
required for each six months.
am, therefore. compelled to ask that
a special appropriation be made carry
ing the public buildings and grounds ac-
count up to $4,000 for the last SIX
months Of the year and the contingent
fund up to $500 for the same period.
TWO STATEMENTS.
At my request Mr.. ]. o. Anderson,
the chief clerk of the treasury depart
ment. has prepared statement or the
total revenue for 1910 and of the total
appropriations for that year.
The total revenue according
to this statement was .$5,204.S36.12
The appropriations for the
year 1910 were. -. 5,122,s69.67
Making the revenue for the
year 1910 exceed the ap-
. preparations for 1870. 81, 966.45
He has also furnished a statement
showing revenues and appropriations for
the year 1911
The appropriations for $1s11
were. .$0,SOOy5Z04
Being an increase for 1911
over 1910 of. -. 67S,082.37
The two large items Of in
crease are for pensions. 200,000.00
For common schools. 250,000.00
Mr.. Anderson further estimates that
we cannot expect an increased revenue
this year over 1910 of more than s2S7.-
600.
II his figures are correSS, and, so far
as 1 am able to determine they are. 1t
indicates that the appropriations for this
year will exceed the revenue, $227,149-
As have frequently explained
through the public press. our al valorem
taxes do not fall due until December
90
On December 81, 1909, the surplus in
the treasury exceeded s2,000,oO0. mean
by this that giving the treasury credit
for the cash on hand and the uncollected
taxes for 1909, and charging lt with
unpaid appropriations in cash on hand
and good accounts due for taxes of over
$4,000 600 at that time.
TREASURY SURPLUS LESS
Estimating that the revenue for last
year exceeded the appropriations IN
round figures $1,000, and that the APP
preparations for this year will exceed
the revenue $227,149, on December 81,
next. the treasury surplus would be APP
proximateiy sl,S50.oo0 instead Of over