Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-19
PROBABILITY Of
EXTRA SESSION Of
LEGISLATURE SEEN

Without debate the state senate
on Monday adopted by substitute a
joint resolution providing for a legis-
lative investigation of the operations
of the state highway department COW
ering every phase of it's activities.
The action of the senate was taken
after consideration of a house reso-
luton for which Senator Ellis, Of the
Eighty-seventh, presented a substi-
tute which eliminated certain alleg-
ed Objectionable features Of the
house resolution.
Unless the legislature makes much
more rapid Roadway in the next
twenty-five days than it has in the
past twenty-five days toward reor-
ganization of the states revenue
system, and toward the solution of
other problems requiring solution,
an extra session will be inevitable
and probably will follow immediate
ly after the regular session, it was
freely predicted Saturday by MEM
bers of the house and senate who
are closely in touch with the general
situation.
With one-half of the session gone
and with practically no progress
made in the direction sof relief for
an overdrawn treasury, it does not
seem likely to those familiar with
the working habits of this and other
legislative bodies that the great
volume Of work awaiting completion
is likely to be completed before the
expiration of the fifty days allowed
by the constitution for a regular ses-
sion.
Although Governor HardWick has
made no public announcement of his
intentions in the matter. it is be-
lieved by members of the Legislature
who are in close touch with him that
the governor will call the legisla ture
into extra session on the day after
the adjournment of the regular ses-
sion, if measures for the reorganiza-
ton of the states revenue have not
been enacted by that time.
Governor Hardwick had recon-
mended the substitution of Il state
tax upon incomes for the existing
system of state taxes levied ad
valorem, on real and personal prop
erty, and will push this recommen-
dation with all of his force and in
tuence. but it is believed he
would not refuse to accept some
other plan in lieu of this plan if the
legislature should insist upon some
other Provided of I,o
plan would raise the necessary rev.
enue.
The bill providing for a, constitu-
t1onal amendment establishing the
income tax as a substitute for ad
valorem taxation has been approved
by the house committee on apDropri-
ations and ways and means, and will
go to it's second reading in the
house this week.
Income Tax Opposition
Strong opposition already has de-
veloped against the income tax. Mer-
chants and manufacturers through
out the state are bringing pressure
to bear upon members of the legis-
lature to get them to vote against
It. Their contention is that an in
mainly upon the person and the firm
which keep q set of books, like the
federal income tax, and that the
person and the firm which keep no
books would lay no income tax.
When the bill is reported to the
house for second reading this
week. its opponents will. it is said,
make an effort to have it re-commit-
ted for the purpose of a hearing. The
committees action approving the
bill, which was taken last Thursday
afternoon. was taken without a
hearing, Others in The house want
the bill amended in certain parties
ulars. and would prefer to have those
appointments considered in the COM
nittee and adopted there if the com
mittee can be persuaded to accept
chem.
All action by the senate regard
ing revenues or appropriations must
await the action of the house, hence
the senate must mark time until the
house has worked out some plan of
reorganizing the states revenue, and
has passed up appropriations based
upon this plan