Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-04
GOVERNOR To ASK
APPROPRIATION CUT
FOR SECOND TIME


has determined to send a specia
message to the legislature, probably
Wednesday afternoon or night, in
which he will call attention to the
fact that appropriations must be
held within the limits of the reve-
nue. that is anticipated from the gen
eral tax act. This decision was
reached Wednesday morning, follow
ing a prolonged conference between
the governor. Cerns,troller General
William A. Wrigh,, Secretary of
State S. G. McLendon, and other
state officials.
The conference was held behind
\ closed doors, and while the COVER
nor made no formal announcement
as to what was disclosed, he admit
' ted frankly that the general subject
of state finances was the topic of con-
sideration. He unhesitatingly voiced
his apprehension over the failure
priations.
Governor Hardwick has been in
formed, and believes, that the max
imum revenue that the state can ex-
pect to derive from the provisions
from the general tax act is $780,
600, and that the legislature is in
the process of making. appropria-
tions that will approx innate an ex-
penditure of s11,000,000. In his
message the governor is expected to
emphasize the absolute necessity of
q revision of appropriations.
Figures Increased
The governors decision to send
special message was reached as
result of the action of the house
Tuesday afternoon increasing from
100000 to $4,5OO,OOO the common
school appropriation for 1922.
The general appropriation bill as
reported by the appropriation COM
mittee carried an appropriation for
the common schools of $4,O0O,0O0 in
1922 and an appropriation of $780,
600 in 1928. The aggregate contain
ed in the committee bill was So, 1OO,-
600 for all purposes in 1922 and 49,
100000 in 1928. The action of the
/
+ to $4,500,O00 in 1922 had the effect
of raising the aggregate to $4,000
for 1922.
Governor HardWick estimates that
the revenue of the state in 1922 will
not be over $S,500,000. He has re-
peatedly stated to newspaper men
and members of the legislature that
he would not approve appropriations
In excess of that amount.
The appropriation bill reported by
the committee was 100000 in excess
of the governors estimate when it
came to the house, and on top of
that excess the house added 100000
additional for the common schools,
and if the house stands pat and
the senate concurs in the &C
ton of the house, letting the figure
stand, Governor Hardwick is practi-
caly certain, it is believed by leaders
of the house and senate, to veto the
appropriation bill, and an extra ses-
3sion may have to be called.
Members of the house who led the
Night at Tuesday mornings session
a gainst the gasoline tax bill, which
Is relied upon by Governor Hardwlck
to raise at least oO,UUU OIL aQQlllOndl
revenue, were the same who led the
flight at the afternoon session to in
grease the common school approprla-
ton 100000 in 1922. Both move
nents We're led by Representative
Bowden of Ware, Landlord of Toombs
and Wyatt of Troup. They were not
successful in defeating the gasoline
tax, which passed the house, but
their amendment increasing the COM
s non school appropriation was adopt
ed by the house in fifteen s.tinutes.
B1alock in House
In addition to raising the common
schools to $4,50O,0OO in 1922, the
amendment providid that if the
states revenue in 1922 and 1928
should go above s9,O00,O00. then one
half of the excess over that amount
should also go to the common schools.
d. B. Blalock. private secretary to
Governor Hardwick was in the house
5during the afternoon and night ses-
sion, keeping tab on the figures con-
ained in the appropriation bill as
he house adopted item after item,
md it was generally understood that
Governor Hardwick would not ap-
prove appropriations in excess of $S,-
300 900. Nevertheless, the house took
bill already carrying an excess
bver that amount as it came from
&he committee, and proceeded to add
M mother 100000 on top of the excess
- one cliD for the common schools