Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-02-14
TAX RETURNS INCREASE
MORE SLOWLY THAN Right
Table Sets Forth the
Trouble

Atlanta, Ga, Feb. 13.-That the
benefits from taxation in Georgia have
increased out of all proportion to the
increase in the taxes themselves, IS
set forth in striking manner in a
statement now being prepared at the
state capitol and which, in proper
form, will be set before the legisla-
ture by the incoming Administrations
The statement shows that thirty
years ago the sole expense of the state
vas for the maintenance of its courts
and the paying of salaries of the gov
ernor and two or three statehouse Of
ficials
Today Georgia expends by direct ap
preparation over $2,5O0,OOO per year
for public schools; it pays $1,200,00n
annually for pensions; it provides the
railroad commission which controls
the transportation charges in the
state and thereby saves millions IF
dollars to shippers and consumer. The
state supplies the people with a vet
terinary whose duty it is to stamp out
diseases of cattle and live stock; It
supplies a department of entomology;
it maintains experiment stations for
practical demonstrations and the con-
duct of experiments in farm work. 1t
maintains one of the finest systems of
agricultural colleges in the world; il
sends instructors over the state tD
teach young ladies the process of can
ming; it supplies normal schools; girls
schools where domestic economy is
taught; it supplies one of the finest
archaeological schools in the country.
The state provides for the people
the highest medical skill in stamping
out diseases, quarantining epidemics
and teaching the people to prevent
diseases. 1t spends in their financial
enterprises by supplying executive Of
ficers to investigate the banks, insur-
ance companies and similar corpora
tons. 1t supplies a commissioner of
labor to investigate the relations OF
the workingman to the economic con-
dltions around him, and to suggest
plans by which the problems of this
character can be solved.
For such benefits received there
must necessarily be expenditure, but
the investments thus made, through
taxation, has Yielded an immeasura-
bic profit on the peoples money, and
profit which goes directly to the
people
In addition, lands which sold for
fifty cents an acre thirty years ago are
now selling for 50 per acr Attract
iveness and convenience of rural homa
life has been increased a thousand
fold. The railroad. telegraph and tele-
phone have eliminated space and the
good roads have rendered accessibility
easy. The state of Georgia has pro
crossed so wonderfully along these
lines that there can be no retrogres-
sion. 1t has been done so at the low
est possible expense. but such bless
ings must be paid for, and while prop
erty is enhancing in value by reaso
of the efforts of the state, the taxes
must be paid. In considering tn,
financial questions facing the state
1t is understood that Governor Slaton
will oppose any lessenings of the help.
full activities of Georgia He believe:
that the people do not desire a lessen,
ing of the functions of the state eco
nomically administered, and it is a,
old principle that state, as we'll ii
an individual. must pay for what i
gets; so the present advantages of cit
! zenship cannot be administered with