The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-22
Talladega Man Replies to
Statement Made by New
York Bond Brokers
SAYS EQUALIZATION
is THE REAL REMEDY
Is Critical of Several Suggestions SO
Far Made for Getting Relief
for the City as Well as
the State

Cecil BROWNE, VINO Iecenllg resigned
the judgship of the city court of Tai
ladega, In a statement made for The Age
Herald declares that the plan for the
financial uplift of Alabama which at the
suggestion of George b. Ward, Harris,
Forbes & Co., municipal bond buyers.
made public Sunday morning, would
make of this state an Incompatible har-
vest field for grafters
Judge Browne very candidly discusses
the statement of the bond buyers that
the Alabama constitution is a marked
diseo'irsgemen to capital. Furthermore,
he discusses in general manner the taxa
ton system of this state. and deals in
critical fashion with the plight of Bir-
| mingham itself.
The writer suggests that IL all prop
erty in Alabama was assessed Justly at
| 60 per cent of its real value, there would
be gathered from taxation enough
money for Alabama, every county of Ala
bama, and even the city of Birming-
ham. His statement, which, in certain
| parts, is highly critical, follows:
In reply to some of the statements
| contained in the letter of Messrs. Harris,
Forbes & Co., published in your issue
| of December 20. 1 would like to say a
| few words.
"They state that the Alabama consti-
tuition has "a fixed limit of so many
| mills on each dollar of property valua-
'tion,' and then, after stating that the
laudable purpose of this provision is to
| insure economy they say that with ref
| erence to the bond holder, the effect
| cf this tax limitation is that during a
Feriod OF business depression such as
has been seen in this country, the as
sessed valuation of property may so far
fall that the municipality, because of the
limited tax rate cannot raise sufficient
revenues to meet is obligations Fur
Their on they say that the effect of this
constitutional tax limitation TO a consid-
cradle extent are general and indeter-
minable in dollars and cents It is a
case of far-reaching disbursement of
capital
AFTER these statements of the matters
and things which so discourage capital,
and under your heading of 1.-THE Remedy
Needed they set forth the remedy as
follows: All other provisions Of the con-
stitution Notwithstanding. no limitation
upon the power of taxation herein pre-
scribed shall effect the right, power OF
duty of any county city, town, village
or other municipality or taxing subdi-
vision of the state, to assess, levy and
collect sufficient taxes to pay when due
the interest and principal, or to provide
sinking funds for the retirement of its
outstanding valid funded Indebtedness.
Then, lest some other provisions NAV be
lett to prevent the unreasonable and
| ruinous expenditure of money, and con-
! sequent mourning of bonded indebted
ness, beyond the ability of such munich
palities to pay, without the virtual con-
hscation of the property of the taxpay-
ors, they further suggest that In con.
junction with the tax limit, the subject
of debt limit should be considered. They
then say that a debt limit of per cent
OF assessed valuation by such munich
palities without vote, and per cen,
by popular vote, may be too low. ana
that the proportion between and
per cent may be proper in Alabama, and
that moreover, indebtedness outstanding
at the present time should need to be
considered.
Substance of Advice
Throwing out as 'taffy' their admis,
sion that the last constitutional con.
vention was actuated by 1audable
purpose of economy in placing a lin1i-
tation on the taxing power of munich
pa1fties, what is the sum and substance
of the advice of these dealers in munich
pal bonds?
1T is simply this, that, without con.
stitutional limitation, municipalities
should be permitted TO levy and collect
from the taxpayers any amount. be II
i or 10 per cent or more of the value
OF all taxable property, to meet an,
Indebtedness that any municipal au.
thorities might incur, wisely or un.
wisely, honestly or dishonestly-bein
impelled thereto by patriotism or graft
provided only that a debt limit of any
amount fixed by popular vote be moi
exceeded-the only Limitation upon the
amount to be so fixed being that sucf
amount shall be in proportion of tt
2, as compared to the amount such
municipalities could incur without g
popular vote.
Now, what a harvest field for graft
ers would Alabama become, under sucf
constitutional, or rather such want o.
constitutional. provision. Perhaps have
construed too strongly the statement
of these gentlemen with respect tt
: what they say with reference to 'th;
proportion between 2 and s may bt