Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-06-24
Use Of MOTOR TAX
FUND FOR CURRENT
EXPENSES OPPOSED
Miner Named Speaker Pro
Tenn, = Soft Drink and
Other Taxes Are Proposed
in Measures

A proposal 60 use the motor We
ktcle license tax fund to meet the
temporary deficiency in the state
treasury precipitated vigorous con-
! 'reversy at the very first session of
the 1920 general assembly, which
convened at 10 o'clock Wednesday
morning.
The proposal was made by Repre-
sentative George Carswell, of Will
kinson county, in a speech delivered
I in the house of representatives He
| denied the statement that has been
made regarding the shortage of funds
in the state treasury, declaring that
the appropriations for 1920 do not
| exceed the states rev nue.. He assert
ed, however, that the tax revnues do
not come into the treasury until fall
thus making it difficult, If not i'm
possible, for a large percentage of
the appropriations to be paid to the
various departments and institutions
of the state. He proposed to use the
motor vehicle license tax fund, which
has already been paid in, to meet the
pressing needs of the tate, replacing
this fund in the fall when the major
| portion of the taxes are paid.
| Wednesdays Sessions Short
Mr.. Carswell's suggestion was bit.
terly opposed by Representative John
knight, of Berrien county, who in
sisted that the motor vehicle license
tax law was passed with the prom
Use that the funds so derived would
be applied to the construction OF
good roads throughout the state and
for no other purpose. He declared
that the use of this fund to meet
deficiencies in the treasury would be
a violation of the promise given by
the general assembly, and gave no.
tice that he would fight to the bitter
end to prevent any such action at
this session or any other session
Mr.. knight also declared that the
use of the motor vehicle license tax
fund for any other purpose except
the construction of highways would
mean the absolute failure of any at
tempt to authorize state bond is.
sue for good roads.
1t was indicated that this ques.
ton will constitute one of the most
important matters to be considered
by the 1920 legislature, and will I'M
doubtedly arouse the bitterest kind
of controversy.
While the senate transacted no
morning, adjourning at 1910 o'clock
until Thursday, the house remained
in session for about an hour and
half, electing a speaker pro tenn, re-
ceiving five new members, listening
to an address by Speaker John N
Holder and receiving about fifty new
bills. Both houses will meet again
at 10 o'clock. central time, Thursday
morning.
Immediately after being called to
order at 8 o'clock Atlanta time, by
Speaker Holder, the house proceeded
to the election of a speaker pro tenn
John Y. Smith, of Fulton, nominated
L. c. Brown, of Clarke, while A. s.
Anderson, of Jackson, nominated j.
H. Miner, of Dodge. The vote was
very close, Mr.. Miner winning by a
vote of go to rs. His election was
made unanimous on motion by Mr.
Brown.
Under the provisions Of a resolu-
ton by Mr.. Neel, of Muscogee, pass
ed unanimously by the house, the
hour of meeting will be 10 o'clock.
central time, during the balance of
the session unless otherwise ordered.
A similar resolution introduced in the
senate by Senator j. E. T. Bowden, of
the Fifth district, was adopted The
senate resolution fixed it's hour OF
adjournment at / o'clock.
Soft Drink Tax Proposed
Among the bills introduced was
measure levying a tax of one cent
on all soft drinks selling for 5 cents
each l~nd l cent for each nickel or
| fraction L.. eof in excess of cents
Another bill would impose an occu-
,pational tax of $40 on dentists, doc
tors, architects, public accountants.
osteopaths and other professional
men, at the same time prohibiting
municipalities or counties from levy
ing occupational taxes.
The Fulton delegation introduced
/ a bill authorizing the county COM
missioners of Fulton county increase
the salaries of employees of the mu-
nicipal court Of Atlanta not more
than rs per cent, such increase to
be made at the will of the COM
| mission. G
The old fight on the motor vehicle
license tax law was opened up again
in the introduction of bill by Mr..
knight, of Berrien, appropriating IL
per cent of the motor license funs
for the use of the state highway
commission and distributing the bal
ance among the counties Of the state
on the basis of post road mileage.
Speaker Holder took occasion to
briefly discuss before the house the
questions that will confront the 1920
legislature, declaring that the ses-
sion of 1919 was characterized by
the passage of great amount of
constructive Legislation. He express
ed the hope that the present see-
sion would be as productive of good
results.
Financial Stress
1.-THE financial stringency of the
state of Georgia should be one of
the first matters to claim your at
tention," said the speaker. How
ever, I do not believe that any adj
ditional tax burdens should be placed
Confined on Page 9, Column 81