Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-07-30
EDITO RIAL.

NE OF the most shame1ui pieces
of legislation ever placed before
the Georgia Assembly is the bin to
tax grand opera in the state. The
bin is aimed at the visits of the
Metropolitan Grand Opera company
Of New York 10 Atlanta, upon which
an annual levy of $4,000 would be
made Grand Opera nowhere is a
commercial scheme, but nearly al
ways a losing venture, maintained
solely in the interests of art, educa-
ton and culture, and the proposition
to heap a huge tax upon it malic-
ious, and the measure of support
given it will demonstrate to a fairly
accurate degree the measure Of cul-
ture in the Assembly.
The Metropolitan Grand Opera
company, employing the very best
talent in the world is maintained by
wealthy persons who choose to en-
ploy their wealth in this manner, reg
ularly footing the deficits of the sea-
son as they might any other philan-
thropy. Atlanta is the only Ameri-
can city outside of New York which |
ever hears the Metropolitan company
intact, except Philadelphia, which is
visited at weekly intervale during
the season, the two cities being less
than two hours apart by train. The
Metropolitan company comes to
Georgia only upon guarantee
against loss, which guarantee is year
~ subscribed by Atlanta citizens. Oc-
casionally the opera season shows
slight profit, and sometimes a loss.
which the guarantors make good by
digging into their pockets. The 1920
season is said to have shown a loss
Of $4,000, which was made good.
IT IS TRUE that grand opera does
not furnish much uplift to the
masses. But it is purely an instjtr-
ton of education and culture, and its
wholesome influence is being felt
more and more throughout Georgia.
To put tax as is proposed upon
grand opera would undoubtedly put
an end of the visits of the worlds
greatest artists. Institutions of this
kind, which do not cater to the popu-
lar appeal and whose mission in life
is real uplift and betterment of man
kind not of the reform variety, will
not thrust themselves upon those who
do not want them.
We might as well put rrohibitive
taxes upon our schools, Libraries, or
even our churches For we can as
readily and easily get our education,
our reading of good books and our
religion at home at we can the Won
derful inspiration to be derived from
hearing the worlds greatest singers
and musicians appearing together in
the masterpieces of the ages.
0THERE is a strong feeling against
tax sleuths, who have been en-
ployed by the state tax commissioner
and sent over the state to dig up UNI
returned taxes" says the Moultrie
Observer. The people who have
been reached by the special tax in
vestigators are prominent, and they
have influence in their communities
When you turn up the unreturneC
property you have started something
The most Objectionable feature abou
the tax investigators is the commits
sion system of their work They
should be put on a salary basis"
So strong is the feeling agains
these tax agents that the Assembl!
refused to recognize them any longer
despite the fact that they trrne
a half million dollars into the treas
ury last year and one of them III
covered an estate worth 100000
that had been paying not a cent c
taxes for years.
y y y
John Barleycorn comes to life
the Far North. The Yukon Can
adams, after trying prohibition, 70
ed wet by big majority and the 81
looms of Dawson are said to be stas
ing wilder orgies than during tn
kiondike gold rush.
This puzzles the drys, for the "
hon previously had voted bone-dr
50 overwhelmingly that it We
thought the liquor question up thel
had been settled for all time
Strong drink can be legislated on
It's not as easy to kisf the craving f.
stimulants. The Malay chews bet
nuts. The American gets his stiml
lahts. from home brew, tobacco, co