Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-08-13
Appropriation, General Tax,
Highway and Health Bills
Are Expected to Be Passed
in Remaining Three Days

lIl nOIlIQllllIIS IlIlOC OCAJo
With the end of the present session
only three days off, il is of interest
to note the various items of general
legislation that have thus far passed
both houses and have either been signed
b. the governor or have been prepared
for his signature.
While the usual large amount of To-
cal legislation has been put through,
many members who were inclined to
sneer at the results accomplished thus
far in the session, were rather surprised
on Saturday, when a more or less COM
prehensivs survey of the situation was
taken.
True, the appropriation measure, the
general tax bill and legislation relative
to highways and public health have not
yet been finally passed upon by both
houses The last three days are eX-
pected to see these measures safely
enacted, since the senate has already
had them under consideration and only
senate bills will be brought up IN the
house from now on.
Among the important items of gen.
eral legislation that have already pass
ed both houses may be mentioned
An act providing methods for col
lecting past due taxes for the state
county and municipality.
An enactment creating the county OF
Cook from portions of Early, Baker
and Calhoun.
To fix the age of consent at IA years
An act authorizing the appointment
of a commission to investigate the ad-
visibility of purchasing docks and
wharves for the state.
To prohibit the bringing of stolen
into the state.
To increase by about 33 1-3 per cent
certain items in the list of sherlns
fees.
An act repeating the Bynum law,
nassed last year, allowing the govern
ment to condemn land for forest re-
serve purposes and removing restrlc-
lions which, under the Bynum act, prac-
tically prevented the establishment OF
forest reserves in the state
To allow counties having more than
lOO. 5000 population to establish public
law Libraries.
An act authorizing the creation Of an
efficiency and economy commission for
the state to report annually to the gem
eral assembly on the financial condltlon
of the state. This report is to serve as
a guide to the general assembly in franz
ing appropriation and taxation meas
ures.
The absent voters" law, which al
lows men in the military and naval serv-
ice to cast their ballots in any general
or state election, no matter where they
be at the time the election is held.
The work or fight measure, which
makes 1t incumbent upon every citizen
between the ages of sixteen and fifty
five to engage, in some productive or
essential occupation.
The "anti-tipping" measure, which
makes 1t a punishable offense to give or
receive tips or gratuities in any public
establishment or on Pullman cars.
With the rules committee in charge
of the house calendar during the re-
mainder of the session only the most
important measures will be allowed to
consume the time of the lower branch
of the assembly, since the senate bills
to be acted upon in the last three days
are so numerous as to preclude the con-
sideration of any except the most vital.
On Monday morning the house will take
I'D the conference committees report on
the general tax bill, which has been per-
fected and is considered ready for adop-
ton if the house will agree to the sew
eral changes.
This measure combines the better
features of the house bill passed at the
! last session and the senate substitute
! by Senator DeJarnette. 1t is claimed by
! it's advocates that it will very mate
rally increase the states revenue.
Many legislative leaders are apprehen-
sive that an extra session is unaVold-
able in view of the wrangle that has
arisen over the appropriations bill, al
though the governors message, read In
both houses on Saturday, may remedy
the situation. A large proportion of
the common school advocates in the
house insist that the common school
| fund be increased approximately $1,000
| coo in 1919, while the adherents of the
| plan to increase the efficiency of the
higher educational institutions are
| equally insistent that the special bills
/ for this purpose be put through.
The senate has already pruned the
appropriation bill, as it pasesd the house,
| of about 10000 and ha specifically
put the lid on all special appropria-
| ton measures as we'll These latter
| bills, however, are not entirely defunct
| having been read the second time and
| placed on the table. 1t is claimed by
some senate leaders that they can be
resurrected at the proper time if the
means are found to make these appro-
| priations feasible.
The hope of the anti-extra session
| folks at this time is that the contending
| factions will compose their differences
and agree on proportionate increases in
the various appropriations so as to
/ bring the grand total within the limit
| of the states revenues The appropria-
| ton bill will come back to the house
probably on Monday and the fracas will
| open at that time.
! Afternoon sessions will be the rule
| during the balance of the session, with
| the usual night session on Wednesday,
| the last day.