Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-06-21
RESTORATIONOF
ARBITRATION IN
CITY TAXES Up
Bill To Be Introduced
Upsetting Admins
tration S Program

intention of G. W. Riley, one of Sum-
ter county's two new representatives
in the Georgia assembly, to intro
duce a bill restoring arbitration IN
CITY tax returns as fixed by the
| eoualizers which was abolished by
| legislative enactment, effective last
year, at the request of the mayor
and city council. Mr.. Riley left Tor
Atlanta Monday morning to get HIM
self located before the opening of
the assembly, and the reporter fall
ed to see him and learn his plans
with regard to the bill. However
it was learned he carried with him
| the document, which was C-raWn
| few days ago by Attorney W. W.
Dykes. A copy of it could not be
obtained today it being stated that
no copies were in Amencus.
Although the bill seeks to change
detail of city government, lae may
or and city council have not been
consulted on the bill, it was stated
today by Mayor Sheppard.
The 1imes-Recorder was Informed
by Mr.. Dykes, who drew the bill,
| that it rescindS the amendment abol-
| ishing arbitration and restores the
former methods of procedure for OBJ
iectors to tax valuations as fixed by
the city board of equalization.
E. A. Hines, Sumter couty's other
representative, also new man, left
| for Atlanta this morning to DE pres
ent at the opening of the assembly
Wednesday. He stated that his name
was signed to the legal notice, pub
IHshed last Saturday, Of intention to
introduce such a bill, by his permis-
sion, although he believes the present
| law a good one and that it should
have at least another year OF trial
before an attempt is made to replace
lit. He also expressed himself as be"
lieving that to restore the former ar
bitration act would be a distinct step
backwards. He was a member OF
the city board of equalization last
wear which fixed values and from
whose decision the property owners
had no appeal.
Mayor Not Consulted.
Mayor Sheppard today was asked
| if the bill which Mr.. Riley took with
him to Atlanta for introduction had
the approval of himself and the city
council. he replied that neither he
nor the city council had been con-
suited concerning the bill, although
| this is customary in plans to amend
) acts having to do with city govern
ment. Asked whether he was salts
fled with the act as it stands, after
year of operation, he stated that
! he preferred not to express an Opin-
ion until the matter was brought be-
fore the council, which he indicated
probably would be by some mem
ber of the council for discussion and
possible action.
City Clerk Eldridge today stated
that the law had been a good one
from the standpoint of the average
taxpayer.
at really hasn't benefited the
city government any," said he, "for
the council makes up its budget, de-
termines how much money it has to
have and makes the necessary levy
AFTER all the returns are cOnsol-
dated. The board last year heard a
large number of protests of values
fixed by it, and in every case where
there appeared to be merit inc val
uation was reduced and the property
owner left satisfied that he was not
being unfairly treated lp 1ne in
stance a man came up and Informed
the board he wanted to be heard.
There were a dozen other persons
! ahead of him and he was told he
would be given hearing in his turn.
He left Immediately and nevo. came
back, and since has been denouncing
the law as an outrage and saying
the board refused to hear him..
Present Benefits.
"The plan benefits. the average
person because it makes it impossible
for the kicking taxpayer to cut down
r valuations below what the board
{ ms fair and proper. Under Ar
bitration we all know that there is
almost never a case where there is
not a reduction when arbitration is
resorted to. This means that the
property owners who do not arbitrate
have to pay higher rate than would
be necessary otherwise to make up
| lOI lllG NuI LuC IdA hlGhtI ODIdIllo.
The city merely takes the total val
uation after it has been adjusted,
determines the rate necessary to OBJ
tain the amount Of money required,
and makes the levy"
The bill abolishing arbitration was
introduced in the legislature by Rep
resentative Stephen Pace at the re-
quest of the present mayor and city
council, the purpose being to permit
| the city TO raise values high enough
to permit of the required amount
of revenue being raised by the city
without raising the limit of the levy,
whic 4d already been reached. The
equa IS were E. A. Hines, P. B.
viii and II. o, Jones.
Nj said last nighl that he
/ belle E.N2zy8nt law should be
! give ~ ~, . 'r wear before
| bein. He de-
| clart "a y to
resto