The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-02

changes will be proposed there is nc question. A special tax on automobiles is talked of. Effort will be made to in- fountain syrups. The legislature will also try to get more money out of the corpor- ations.
 Want Weaker Beer
 l Half per cent beer and no stronger Is the cry of the prohibitionists. Secre- tary J. B. Richards of the Georgia Anti- Saloon league is a familiar figure in the Kimball House lobby, where the legisla- tive situation is most discussed. He has been busy with members urging support for the measure which has already been prepared, and which proposes to make it misdemeanor to sell anything In Geor- gia with more than one-half of one per cent of alcohol in It.
 | It is not generally believed, however, that the legislature will consent to tamper any further with the prohibition law. Sc | far as it has been possible to gather legislative sentiment, that body will prob- ably 'let well enough alone" It has a l good excuse in the unusually large amount of business before it.
 Much interest centers in the action ol the house in providing for the appoint ment of a special committee on commis- sion form of government in cities. This action is a recognition of the coming though slow and gradual, revolution in the plan of municipal government.
 Senator William J. Harris Of the Thirty eighth. has introduced a general bill secure a commission form of government, l if it so desires, by majority vote of its citizens, in accord with the proposed law and without the necessity of further in- | tervention on the part of the legislature. Whether the state is ready for sucr a general law. may be questioned, but 1, | is certain there will be before the gen commission form of government provid | ed the plan is favorable to majority oi the voters in the cities affected
 | In addition to Atlanta, whose measure has already been prepared, Columbus and | Augusta, as well as some other cities oi the state, are talking of commission gov | ernment, and may have measures in al I this session.
 Free School Books
 | In addition to the foregoing Senator | Harris will have bills before the general assembly providing that school books l shall be furnished to all the children in l the common schools of the state free of cost. providing that county treasurers l shall receive'a commission of 1 per cent l for receiving and 1 per cent for paying out all moneys from the county treasury, and providing for the creation of the of | flee of state auditor, to supervise and audit all the fiscal affairs of the state. Some of the Hoke Smith bills have all ready made >thir appearance, notably one by MT. Burwell of Hancock, to have a ten-day legislative session in January once every two years, for the purpose of organizing and inaugurating the governor. The passage of this measure would cut short the term of Governor Hoke Smith by six months; but it is said the gov ernor would rather welcome such a reduc- ton, whether he goes to the United States Senate or not.
 Other administration measures to come include those to consolidate the state election with the national election in Mo- vember, and to amend the state consttu- ton so as to require the payment of cor poration taxes to the comptroller general by September l, ill order to tlde the state over it's dull period.
 Women Practice Law
 Much interest centers in 8 bill which has been introduced by Speaker John N. Holder of the House. MT Tippins of Ap- bling and others, to amend the state code so as to permit women to practice law
 in Georgia. The bills propose to amend section 4932 of volume of the state code, simply by adding after the word "citi- gen." the words whether male or fe- male.' This will do the work admitting to the practice of law in Georgia women who have been admitted in other states, those who have received diplomas from recognized law schools and those who pass satisfactory examinations. Georgia Is one of the last states to recognize women fin this respect, and 1t is generally believed the measure will go through without futter.
 Strong support has been brought to the measure indorsed by the Atlanta Bar asociation and the Federation of Trades. which proposes to give the larger cities of the state the option of abolishing the justices of the peace within their limits. The measure only affects the larger cities. and thers is . question of majority vote. It requires a constitutional amendment.