Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-10
TAX REFORM BIC
PROFILE NJ FOR
LEGISLATURE
Governors Determined Attitude
Makes Certain Vigorous e.
forts This Session.
BY JAMES 8. NEvIN.

The impression seems to have be-
come very we'll fixed in the minds Of
members of the incoming Legislature
that the question of tax reform in
Georgia is to be the paramount bush
ness Of the summer session.
Both the retiring Governor and the
incoming Governor viii urge this
matter on the General Assembly's 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 so genuinely
bright
with the new Governor determined
upon It, and with his attitude so
clearly understood that there can be
no mistake about it, the boards Of
trustees Of the various State lnstitu-
tions 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, II ia definitely un-
derstood that the new Governor will
promptly veto anything savoring OF
extravaganza in appropriation bills,
II he has to 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 wabble along farther
under its present antiquated and ut
terly inadequate taxation laws. Not
only will a board OF tax equalizers
most likely be created by the next
Legislature, but various reforms in
the matter Of taxation will be enacted
I'm many other directions.
OF course. the work OF reforming
the tax laws viii be long drawn out,
for IL will be carefully considered.
step by step as the impression Is that
IL 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
Il DO not know whether Governor
Brown will he a candidate for United
States Senator when the time comes"
said a well known South Georgia poll
tician to-day. "hut the idea through
out my part Of the State undoubted-
~ is that he will be in the race
While ] find nobody who SAYS the
Governor has authorized him 10
speak, at the same time I do find
many warm supporters Of the Gov
ernor in the past talking him for the
Senate to-day.
! md, for ] travel much through
the country, that the country folks
are expecting Little joe 10 get into
the race. He is popular with the ru-
raj citizenship Of the State, and al
ways has been-as a matter Of fact,
] think he is stronger there to-day
than ever beforehand they will stick
20 him, II he runs.
Il can not say any more than other
men what would be the outcome Of a
contest between Governor Brown and
Senator smith, but think ] may say.
with confidence that such race
would be hummer, and II would he
anybody'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-day.
Il feel utterly confident OF election q"
said the Judge. - have more than
sufficient votes pledged 10 name me
President I think ID Is an over buf
the shouting Tho Senate will lose
little time getting down TO business
DR.. r. ". Watkins ~ Gilmer Coun-
~. several times a member Of the
Legislature. and We'll known through
out Northeast Georgia. will he a
candidate for Congress in the Ninth
against Representative Thomas NJ
Bell
As 70 is very well known that for
mer Speaker John y Holder win 5s
a candidate again. II looks as n the
Ninth Is 10 witness another three
cornered contest
II was a three cornered fight last
time that made Bells pathway back
to Washington comparatively easy.
and II the program is repeated this
time Bell probably viii file no obiec-
ton. lie is a popular man. and may
be depended upon 20 hold his own,
even in q race against only one op-
7onent
WITH two pitted against him. how
ever. he likely win be a hard man 70
overcome.