The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-27
GOVERNOR GIVEN
 OPPORTUNITY ID x ANALYzE TAXES
County Delegations and Execu- tive Cover Entire Question. Chance for ReaSseSSment
 Is Slim
By FRED II. GORMLEy Montgomery, Bureae, The Age-Herald 221-2 First National Bank building

Montgomery, January 26.--(SpecialD-- Governor Kilby told delegations of pro testants against tax assessments of Madison and Talladega counties late to- day that he doubted the authority of the state tax commission to make general re-assessment of taxes in the state be- fore the expiration of two years from October 1, 1919, and thatif sucn authority is vested in the commission, he doubted the wisdom of such a move because It will mean the reduction in salaries of public, school teachers in the appropria- tions of all eelemosynary institutions ana in the general efficiency of the govern ment.
 Two committees representing citizen Of Madison and Taladega counties who aS- sembled Tn mass meetings told the gover- nor many people of their counties were suffering because of the general change in business conditions during the last fe" months: that many have been forced to borrow money with which to pay their taxes; and that many others have Tailed to make payments up to date and were announcing to the public that they did not intend to pay. The Madison delega- tions included Judge s. H. Ballentine and w. F. Garth, who acted as spokesman for the committee while the Tailadega delegation was represented by their spokesman, M. J. Cliett member of the house of representatives, J. '. Hurt' attorney and H. l.. McEderry.
 FRIENDLY SESSION The conference was friendly through out but each side maintained it's position. one insisting that there must be re-as- easements of property and the governor declaring that the state is attempting to correct any inaccuracies that may have occurred in assessments, but that it would be unwise, to attempt any gen. 4nxr Aarar @ n Only one time throughout the conference was there any indications of fire. It came when Mir. McElderry was speaking of conditions in Talladega county. lie declared that he had received lnforma- tion that the governor. at the time the tax adjusters were appointed, gave them notice that they must get money
 Governor KiIby raised his voice and with all the emphasis possible retorted: Any man who says that told the tax adjusters to get the money is nothing but a common liar
 Both delegations insisted that the tax assessments were made during tha time prices of all commodities were high. that land values were up. and that as they were based on prices prevalent at the time the state should order revolutions now in order that assessments may be placed on the new level. Governor kilby answered that if was cOincident that the dSseos- ments were made during the period of high prices, but that they are not based on the values of commodities In general, but instead are based on the reasonable market value of the prop erty
 It would be unsafe and unwi7e Tor the state to change it's tax assess ments as the value of commodities change. said Governor Kilby. Under that system, he said, there could be no certainty about the funds to be ob- tained from taxes and about the sn- curity of the institutions of the states which are dependent upon taxes.
 URGE EXTRA SESSION
 During the discussion one sugges- tion was made that the governor call an extra session of the legislature and provide for reduction in the salaries of all officials and employees of the state. Governor Kilby answered that money derived from this source would be infinitesimal,
 Few persons know that the taxes of the people go to the support of the public schools for pensions and for the maintenance of the ellemosynary institutions of the state.' said Gov ernor Kilby. "The cost of the opera ton of the government is borne by revenue derived from the convict de-