Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-15
WILL
INSIST ON
TAX LAW
Governor Likely to Recall Assem-
bly, if Reforms Are Not Made
Before Adjournment,

Unless the Legislature, during its
present session, enacts such tax re-
forms as the Governor thinks essen
tial to the welfare and prosperity of
the State, it is more than likely that
it will be called Immediately in ex-
traordinary session, for the sole puT-
pose of effecting those reforms.
The Governor has the authority to
give affairs that direction if he
thinks it necessary, and ne may
limit the General Assembly in his
call to such measures as he chooses,
and nothing else can be considered
in a session so called.
The Governor himself has not ut
hut-snuae gentlemen close to
him. and, in a way. authorized to
speak for him. have let it be known
that the possibility of an extra ses-
blOu lid1 AAO1GEu tic iIAtNuNlNt AilAllh
more than once of late, and that fail
ure upon the part of the Legislature
to enact the tax reform the Governor
holds absolutely necessary at this
time more than likely will impel the
Governor to the heroic remedy of an
extra session.
FeverishIy Active Now.
That these semi authoritative ru-
mors and hints have had their effect
upon the General Assembly is
abundantly evidenced in the fever
ish activity lately manifested in
some of the House committees
House bill No. /, by Mr.. Cole, of
Barlow. for instance, has been re-
ported at last out OF the Ways and
Means Committee, and will go to the
House at once with a favorable rec
ommendation.
This bill. which has the hearty in
dorsement of the Governor, provides
for an inheritance tax, and is expect
ed to produce a large revenue TO the
State.
The Ways and MeSns Committee, in
reporting the inheritance tax meas
ure, combined the Cole bill with other
inheritance tax measures introduced
one by Mr.. Swift of Muscogee and
another by Mr. Slater Of Bryan-tnto
one measure, embodying most of the
Cole bill and some good features Of
the other two.
Nevertheless. although the present
session Is practically half over, it is
significant that House Bill No. l not
yet has been read a second time in
the House.
This first revenue measure intro
duced must be followed by many
others. If the Slaton program Of tax
reform is carried out in its entirety
and the Senate must have an oppor-
tunity to pass upon all revenue meas
ures produced by the House. Revenue
measures can not originate in the
Senate.
House Plainly Agitated.
These things, in view of the fact
that the Governor has asked for the
tax and revenue acts at least ten
days before adjournment, have given
color to the extra session rumor. and
the House plainly has been more or
less agitated thereby
The fact that the Legislature has
made no further progress than it has
is not charged particularly to the
leaders in either House. It is admit
ted that both President Anderson ana
Speaker Burwell have worked over
time trying 10 push things along Both
officials announced their committee
assignments in record breaking time.
and the various committees have been
urged constantly to exert themselves
to the utmost
There has been much waste OF time
on the floor Of both Houses however.
and unless the waste is cut out from
this time forward the impression IS
that tax reform mea sures generally
win fall by the wayside and fail Of
passage