Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-08-13
SAYS DEFICIT INCREASE
WOULD SPELL INEFFICIENCY
Governor Dorsey suggests
That Appropriations Be
HarmoniZed

Governor Hugh NJ. Dorsey. in an en-
mitted to the general assembly Satur
day morning. suggested TO that body
that il is impossible safely TO under
take 20 ride two steeds going in oppo'
site directions" and that approprial.Hns
should be harmonized with the antici
pated revenue Of the state
He called attention to the steadily
increasing deficit resulting from in
creased expenditures.
The deficit which you helped tC
create by your legislation in 1917
amounting TO S1.5SS,6os.9s. is large
enough and should not, IT is respectfully
submitted. be materially increased al
this present session" said the governor
'sro permit this condition to exist II
unbusinesslike, but to materially in
crease the deficit would spell ineffi-
cheney in capital letters. l cannot be-
lieve, until it is an accomplished fact
that you are willing TO bring about this
condition"
Governor Dorsey also urges that the
state get away from the practice OF
anticipating taxes, which, he says, y:
somewhat akin to kiting."
The governor meets the argument OF
some members of the legislature to the
effect that excessive appropriations
could be met through adequate reve-
nue. legislation at an extraordinary
session, by saying that there is
little reason to expect that body
which has so consistently rejected
all proposals for increasing the
states revenue at it's regular session
would entertain different views at any
extraordinary session, but it is re
spectfuIly submitted that for no reason
Imaginable can il be either wise OF
nroper for us to dispose of this mattel
by the enactment of legislation impos
ing upon the state house officers wh'
are chargeable with financing the state
the impossibility of paying money ap
nropriated where no adequate revenue
for that purpose is provided
Figures Show Deficiency
Governor Dorsey submitted figures
showing that the states dehclency mas
Increased from 1897, SO6.14 in 1914 &c
81 s5s.so9.25 January 1, 1918. The de-
6ciency estimated for the year ending
January 1, 1919, already is $1,6SS,6O9.99
The general appropriations bill JUS
passed by the house coupled with spe'
cial bills make an increase of S2.O62,'
763.45 over 1918 appropriations, and this
excess, the governor points out, added
to the deficiency of 1918, would make
a total deficiency at the close OF tho
year 1919 of $3,701.372.44.
1T is seen by an examination or the
figures given below" said the message
that while your predecessors and yoI
have taken steps to increase, through
the medium of a general revenue law
the income of the state, both have in
CURED heavy obligations. If the meas
ure proposed by that branch of YOU
honorable body empowered to originate
appropria tioas is adopted, you place
Georgia in a worse condition by S2,2S6,
sOs.sO than any previous general assem-
bly,, certainly during the years TO
which comparison is instituted above.
The special message also touches
upon highway legislation and publi
health and morals. He urges the pas
sage of bills which would meet TIT
requirements of the federal govern
ment in the provision of state funds
for road work. He also advocated thu
passage of bills pending to protect pub
lie health and morals.