Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-15
REF ORMATION
Of ENTIRE TAX
PLAN IS URGED
Richmond LegisIator-EIect De-
cIares States Financial Con-
dition Requires System.

AUGUSTA, June 14.-Tax equali-
cation. modification of the military
law of Georgia, changes in the crimi-
nal procedure, abolition of the third
degree" method with regard to pris-
oners and witnesses, mediation and
arbitration in the matter of strikes
and State aid for the Medical Depart
ment of the University of Georgia are
the measures which Samuel l., Olive,
one of Richmond Countys Represen-
tatives in the Georgia Legislature.
will be particularly interested in at
the approaching session.
Tax Equalization Needed.
Il think that by far the most i'm
portant matter to come before the
next Legislature willb ethe question of
tax equalization" said Mr.. Olive, The
acute situation in reference to State
finances will in my opinion, neCessi-
tate some system of taxation, other
than that now in vogue. Our pres
ent system is merely one of volun
tary contribution. Practically every
property owner evades the payment
Of taxes upon reasonably full valua-
ton OF his possessions, and a great
many people in fact pay taxes on
an exceedingly small per cent Of what
they own.
Many counties in Georgia collect
taxes on land at tax valuation
which is ridiculous. A few counties,
Richmond among them, collect taxes
upon a land valuation in excess Of
that estimated to be the real value
Of land by the census report. Taking
the census report valuation. one coun-
ty in Georgia pays tax on land val
uation less than One-fifth of the CEN
sus report valuation. Another county
pays taxes upon a land valuation
three and one-fourth times as great
as the census valuation. Richmond
County pays taxes upon valuation
Of one and one-third times as much
as the census valuation.
Personal Taxes Dodged.
But even in the face Of these dis
crepancies the landowner does not
dodge taxation on his land nearly as
much as the personal property holder
does on his securities. Millions of
securities are safely hidden away in
safety deposit boxes. and escape tax
alton entirely. There would be no
financial stringency in the State Gov
eminent if all the property in the
State subject TO taxation, was forced
to carry its fair share Of Govern
mental expenses. All this question
is by no means new, but under the
conditions which confront Georgia,
action must take the place OF mere
academic discussion.
Il regard the modification Of our
military law as necessary The
present law is not well suited to a
republican form of government, and
is foreign TO the first principles upon
which our forefathers founded this
nation. The law is unjust to the mil
itary, as well as to the general pub
lie; and while | believe in the use
fulness of our troops, and shall cheer
fully vote TO maintain them, ! shall
nevertheless favor several changes
in the law. Under its present terms
any section of our State can be put
under military government as COM
pletely as that of any absolute mon
srchy.
Limit Judges Power.
Il have carefully read some sug-
gestions with reference TO proposed
changes in our criminal procedure.
One Of these is. TO allow the Judge
to express his opinion to the jury as
to what has or has not been proven,
and as to what he thinks their verdict
ought to be- II this should become
the law we would have no further
need for juries, and | shall vigorously
oppose any such change in the law.
The plan Of allowing juries to settle
all questions of fact, may have its
faults, but il is the best yet devised.
Il am heartily in favor of abolish
ing by law the so-Called third de-
gree methods Of the various detective
and police agencies The whole sys-
TEN is abhorrent. and the sooner We
abolish il the better To take an
ignorant negro or a low grade white
man and to force him by mental tor
ture and physical threat to swear 10
or confess such things as are desired
by his inquisitors. savors too much OF
reached the worlds record for judi
cial infamy
Favors Strike Arbitration.
Il shall favor arbitration and me-
diation laws with reference to strikes.
The public is the real sufferer. and
when either party refuses TO sub
NIT its cause to trained intelligence
rather than real or fancied power,
the law should settle the situation.
4 believe that under the present
conditions whereby so many women
are forced TO be bread winners, their
rights should be recognized. Very
different conditions exist in the South
from those formerly obtaining. and !
think the Legislature should look
with seriousness rather than in a
spirit Of levity upon all laws az
feCting the rights Of women.
i shall insist upon substantial
State aid for the Medical Department
Of the State University The City
of Augusta has contributed as Law
ishly az has been in its power and
] feel sure that the State will do