The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-06
ROBERTS ADVOCATES
TAX EQUALIZATION
EXPENSES CANNOT Ex-
CEED TOTAL REVENUE.
Governor to Throw DoWJf,
Gauntlet to 'Dodgerss
in Tennessee.

Nashville. Tenn, Jan. 6,---(Spe6
cial. 1--When Gov. Roberts takes thu
reins of state IN hand on Jan. IL Qfos
of his frst. oficia1 moves win K6
put forth executive pressuse toxax
the equalization of taxation thron8l1~
out Tennessee. Since his electioa
Gov. Roberts has made an intensive
study of the financial system of Tens
nesseo and he is thoroughly familia4
with all the 'ins" and outs"
Gov. Roberts is convinced beyon4
all doubt that Tennessee can no
longer allow the expenses of the coma
monwealth to exceed the revenue. He
Is convinced also that such condis
tion can be remedied and thus pre-
vent the further precipitation Of the
state into debt; he declares that he
does not propose to raise the tax rats
at ALL
While the incoming chief executiv4l
is not given to newspaper intervfews
he does not mind the fact being
known that he intends to bend every
effort to bring about a system Of tar
equalization through the enforcement
of just and equitable assessment
law. In this he is most emphatic,
and as he has already manifested the
characteristic of energetic promotion
of those things which he seeks and
labors for, 1t is practically assured
that he will back his proposition OF
tax equalization to the utmost.
Knows Facts.
Gov. Roberts is aware that there
is much property, both real and per-
sonal. which has paid no returns to
the state, and also much other prop
erty that has not borne its share of
taxation. He is well acquainted with
the fact that practically all real es--
tate outside the larger cities has not
been assessed at anywhere its real
value, and, as the constitution posi-
lively declares that all property. shan
be assessed at its real value, he ID
preparing to see that this is done.
either by revision of the existing
assessment statutes or by most
rigid enforcement of the law govern
ing such. BY a strict enforcement OF
the law. carried out by fearless and
impartial officials, Tennessee win be
assured of sufficient revenue to pay
her debts and keep on the sunny
side of Easy street"
Gov Roberts says that the chief
fault does not lie in extravaganza in
administration. but in the tax dodger
whose day of grace is past, but wll6~
will now have to face the music and
pay his proportion of the taxes that
support the commonwealth. He says
that all classes must pay, that no
exceptions will be made to the rule
and that Tennessee must and will
have all the money that is due her
from her citizens.
After Dodgers.
That may sound a bit harsh to
some in Tennessee, and rumors OF
such action on the part of the new
governor previously going the rounds
have stirred up those who look with
fear and trembling upon the day
when every taxpayer In Tennessee is
put on an equal footing and the dod-
ger Is made to toe the line and
cough up" Some opposition is an
ticipated but the legislature promises
to be squarely behind the Roberts adj
ministration in all matters affecting
the welfare of Tennessee, and when
the final show down comes it is put
down that the general assembly win
line up for any change the governor
may recommend as a remedy for tho
existing evil of unequal distribution
of taxation in the state.