Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-04-20

FIGHT ON.5-MILL
EXTRACITY TAX
STIRS TEMPEST
President Poole Declares Meeting
Called Without Him Being
Consulted

Inc reported dctlOn OF Lne AmeFl-
Gus Retail Merchants Associa-
tion on last Wednesday night in
going on record against the proposed
special tax of mills for 5 years for
the liquidation of the city's floating
Indebtedness, has stirred up consid.
cradle of tempest about the streets
of the city, and Secretay Perkins, of
the association who called the meet
ing and is credited with inaugural
ing the movement, was out with
statement yesterday, which is publish
ed herewith, declaring that the asso-
citation was not organizing fight"
against the proposed change, but stat
ing that those at the meeting thought
that something must be done and the
action taken was for the purpose of
offering some plan for presentation
to those promoting the proposition.
D. Il. Andrews of the association
says the aassociation is not fighting
the tax raise; that at the meeting a
committee was appointed to inyesti-
gate and report back to the associa-
tion and no official action was taken
by the body.
j. E, Poole president of the Re-
all Merchants association, stated Sat
urday that the meeting had been call
ed without his authorization or knowl-
edge or consent. and that the first he
knew of it was late the afternoon it was
to be held. He declared nothing was
said of the object of the meeting, and
he supposed it of no more importance
than a previous one which only four
men attended, wherefore he did not
go to it. He expressed his chagrin
that movement had been organized
without him as president being con-
suited, and declared that he was plan
ming to call a meeting of the asso-
citation for an early date at which
Mayor Sheppard, who worked out the
city's plan, and w. w. Dykes, of the
Rotary club, which had endorsed the
city's plan, would be invited to ap-
pear, to explain the entire proposal
and answer question. He declared
his belief that the Wednesday night
meeting might have resulted differ
emily had the city's side been proper
ly presented.
MIR. Perkins Statement.
Mr.. Perkins statement follows:
"The statement has been made that
the Retail Merchants Association Of
Americus would organize a fight
against the proposed change in the
city's charter permitting the levying
of an additional tax of mills to take
care of Indebtedness already incurred
and provide additional funds for
schools purposes; this statement, lit
orally speaking, is incorrect. 1t is
true that the matter was fully and
freely discussed at a recent meeting
of the association, and practically
every person present admitted that
something must be done to relieve the
city's embarrassing financial condi-
ion of those present was that some
plan other than raising the tax rate
should be adopted. To this end a
committee was appointed to make
study of the situation and report back
to the association, recommending
some plan which could be offered for
the consideration of those promoting
the proposition.
There appears to be absolutely no
difference of opinion as to the neces-
sity for increased income from city
taxes; unfortunately the floating debt
of Americus has reached rather large
proportions, and it appears that the
provisions heretofore made for the re-
tirement of maturing bonds has been
iuadequate; our public schools are
suffering as a consequence Of INSULT
cient funds, and instead of expanding
in keeping with the growth and prog
ress of the city, it has been found diff
ficult to maintain the high standard of
the past No intelligent citizen will
refuse to concede that something must
be done to provide relief, and it
should be done with just as little de-
lay as possible. The only question at
issue is as to the best method to be
used in meeting the situation.
Looking To Future.
While there is pressing need for
prompt action, it would appear advis-
able that sufficient time be taken to
work out some plan which will con-
serve the best interests OF the future,
CONTINUED on Page 4.l