Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-09
TAX REFORM BIC
Probe NJ FOR
LEGISLATURE
Governors Determined Attitude
Makes Certain Vigorous E.
forts This Session,
BY JAMES ,. NEVIN.


The 41pression seems to have be-
come very well fixed in the minds OF
members Of the incoming Legislature
that the question of tax reform in
Georgia is to he the paramount bust
ness of the summer session.
Both the retiring Governor and the
incoming Governor viii urge this
matter on the General Assemblies at
tention and recommend it TO that
honorable body's most distinguished
consideration. and already there are
a number Of tax reform programs
framed up for PRONUNCIATION imme-
diately upon the Legislatures getting
together
Not in many years has the prospect
for tax reform seemed 50 genuinely
bright
With the new Governor determined
upon II. and with his attitude so
clearly understood that there can be
no mistake about IT, the boards Of
trustees Of the various State instltu-
tons have taken counsel with them
selves and have practically deter
mined not TO ask for heavy advances
in appropriations. until the State
Treasury is altogether able to stand
the strain
II is understood that the State. un-
der its present system of taxation
and constitutional limitations upon
the taxing power Of the Legislature,
has reached the very limit Of eXpend-
iture Moreover. IL is definitely un-
derstood that the new Governor VIII
promptly veto anything savoring Of
extravaganza in appropriation bills
il he has 10 veto the entire general
appropriation bill in seeking to carry
his point.
The Legislature will meet. therefore
with fun knowledge Of the fact that
Georgia can not wahhle along farther
under its present antiquated and ut
terly inadequate taxation laws Not
only will a board of tax equalizers
most likely he created by the next
Legislature. but various reforms in
the matter OF taxation viii be enacted
in many other directions
OF course. the work Of reforming
the tax laws will be long drawn out.
for n Will be carefully considered,
step by step, as the impression IS thai
II should be- and therefore IL is prob
able that the bulk Of legislative en-
deavor during the summer session
will be devoted TO that one question
alone
81 DO not know whether Governor
Brown will be candidate for United
States Senator, when the time comes.
said a well-known South Georgia poll
tiCiau to-day hut the idea through
out my part " the state undoubted
ly is that he viii be in the race.
while J fnd nobody who SAYS the
Governor has authorized him "a
speak, al the same time ! do find
many warm supporters Of the Gov
ernor I'm the past talking him for the
Senate to-day
u find for I travel much through
the country that the country folks
are expecting Little Joe TO get into
the race He is popular with the ru-
raj citizenship Of the State. and al
ways has hecn-as a matter ~ fact,
I think he is stronger there to-day
than ever beforehand they will stick
20 him, II he runs
u can not say any more than other
men what would he the outcome Of a
contest between Governor Brown and
Senator Smith, but I think I may say
with confidence that such race
would be a hummer. and II would be
anyhody.s race until the last vote was
counted moreover"
Judge John Allen who is a candi-
date for the presidency Of the Senate
passed through Atlanta to-6ay.
y feel utterly confident Of election Of
said the judge. 81 have more than
efficient votes pledged To name me
President. I think it is am over but
the shouting The Senate will lose
little time getting down 90 business
Dr 2. ". Watkins. Of Gilmer Coun
~, several times member Of The
legislature. and well known through
out Northeast Georgia. will he a
candidate Tor Congress in the Ninth
against Representative Thomas NJ
Bell
As il is very well known that for
mer Speaker John y Holder win 20
candidate again 70 looks as n the
Ninth IS 20 witness another three
Coruered contest
10 was three -Cornered fight Last
time that made Bells pathway back
70 Washington comparatively easy
and n the program rs repeated this
time. Bel probably viii file no obiec-
ticn. He IS a popular man. and MAY
be depended upon 20 hold his own
even in a race against only one op.
ponent
with TWO pitte6 against him. how
ever he likely VIII be s. hard man -c
overcome.