Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-23
LEGISLATORS
ALL HERE;
LOBBYING
limited
Reports That Interests Have Hand
in Senate Presidency Fight
Are Being Circulated,

The Georgia Legislature for 1913
IA, although it does not assemble for
organization until 10 o'clock We'd
nesday morning, already is all but
unanimously in Atlanta.
All Sunday and Monday the mem
bers poured into town.
Not only have they come early to
discuss the matter Of organization in
both houses, but they are here to
counsel together concerning the Iegis-
lstion to be proposed during the first
session.
The Legislature is new one, and
there win be a complete change in
administration under the big dome
within the week. Every member
therefore, wishes to get as straight a
line on the situation as he may.
Monday the hotel Hobbies are
swarming with politicians and states
men. They are undertaking to get
their bearings and the getting in
some directions is extremely difficult
Senate Race a Puzzle.
Nobody seems to know who is to
win the Presidency of the Senate
which carries with it the Lieutenant
Governorship Of Georgia.
On the surface of things, the fight
seems to be about even between Sen
ator Allen, of the Twentieth, and
Senator Anderson, of the First. Both
men claim enough to elect, but few
believe either really has the votes
nailed down.
Below the surface rumor and gos-
sip speaks Of many things not yet
talked about the hotel Hobbies freely
and openly.
The President of the Senate might
in certain circumstances, succeed to
the Governorship, and certainly he is
sure to be a compelling factor in the
shaping of legislation.
Wherefore. one hears it whispered
that certain big corporate and man
ufacturing interests are deeply con-
cerned as to the outcome Of the race
for the presidency of the Senate. and.
very much on the quiet, are interest
ing themselves accordingly.
BurweiI Called Favorite.
The speakershir race generally IS
conceded to have been won by Bur
well of Hancock. Although opposed
by such excellent gentlemen as
Hardeman of jefferson and Shep-
pard of Sumter, Burwen is thought
to be very much in the lead and prac-
tically sure of election on the first
ballot.
Bur~eIl Called Favorite.
Burwell seems to have made a much
better getaway in his race than either
of his opponents, and for that reason
is looked upon as a most likely win
ner.
Tax reform is the one big topic Of
legislation discussed most generally.
It seems agreed on all sides that the
State must have more revenue or let
its various institutions lag woefully.
There is an ver-increasing demand
AOA AAAOAC AEOA1SS III al NAl GNAAOhS, anu
the State has been running ahead of
its income for several years. The tax
rate can not be raised above 3 mills,
and 3 mills on present assessments
will not produce the revenue needed.
Various special measures for in
creasing the revenue have been pro-
posed, such as an inheritance tax. 4
graduated automobile tax, and so
forth, but the greater problem is how
to get all varieties of property up to
where each may bear its righteous
portion of the burden Of taxation.
1t ts assured that child labor bill
will be introduced early in the ses-
sion, with excellent chances of sue
cess.
be, and that reforms must be insti-
tuted, or the State suffer not only
materially within itself, but in repu-
tation abroad.
It is said that former Representa-
tive Hooper Alexander, for years an
earnest advocate of child labor re-
form, win prepare bill for the Cen
eral Assembly's attention, and that II
will be a bill framed along the lines
and ideals Of the various anti child
labor organizations in the State.