Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-07-16

IoJdlIeu more tnan the increase IN the
demanding parts of both counties.
We will take three typical rural
counties whose digests have been re-
ceived. They report increases of $780,
600, $4,000 and $3O4,O59, respective
ly; yet the average value of land in
each Of them is less than in 1913.
Another county reports increases
aggregating $1,6OO,OOO, made up of
100000 in improved land, 100000 in
city property and $S0O,OOO, in person
atty, the latter newly discovered.
I asked Judge Hart to furnish me
summary of the 50 digests received be-
fore I left Atlanta In the main they
are small country counties. In 1918
they reported decreases aggregating
SOL, 472;' this year they show total
gains aggregating 500, ,534. In. these
80 counties f99,471 acres of land and
thousands Of dollars of personal prop
erty were brought to light and sub
jected to taxation the first time in its
existence.
Opponents of the law say that il
enables cities to escape their just share
Of taxation. I notice that a Macon
paper says Bibb's increase will be ap-
proximately $5,OOO,OO0. l anticipate
that Fulton's will be three times as
much The two together will show
increases greater than those of the 50
counties which have reported.
They declare that the law does not
reach corporations. I know one which
the law caused to raise its returns a.
half million dollars. There are others
of like kind
l could give you Vulnerable instanc-
es of inveterate tax dodgers who were
brought to taw. One who gave in his
property at $780, was raised to $4,000
When he complained his local board
suggested that he arbitrate IF yoli
are satisfied, am" he said and drop
ped the incident.
But they say the additional money
raised will be wasted. Harris county
has cut its local tax rate almost in
half, and it's local rate this year with
the State rate added will be less than
the local rate alone last year.
So far as the State is concerned, II
promise you that none of the extra
money will be wasted this year, but l
assure you that expenditures in 1914
will be less than they were in 1913. II
do not think the deficit, which is the
accumulation of many years, should
be paid in one year. Therefore, if the
total increase is as great as we con-
fdently expect 1 assure you that the
State Tax Rate will be reduced this
year.
Instead of encouraging extravaganza
the law will make for economy. Here
after appropriations will not be sought
on the theory that only a part of the
people will pay them.
The tax rate of the counties should |
and will go down. That of the State in
1914 should not be more than four
mills and in 1915 it should not be
more than three mills. Hereafter ex-
penditures will be reflected in the
rates imposed and those who waste
the public money will not be able to
hide behind accommodating deficits.
For this the State is under heaviest
obligation to you gentlemen of the
country press. You came to her res
cue when it was charged that your
constituents would not permit reform.
You have stood by her during the great
test Of initiation. l thank you for this
opportunity to express to you as Gov
ernor, the States appreciation and TO
acknowledge its debt.
CHINA WANTS S1OO,OOO,0OO