The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-07-04
WOULD MEAN MORE
REVENUE FOR STATE.
GOVERNOR HARDWICK'S IN
COME TAX PLAN GIVEN AN
ADVERSE REPORT.
RESOLUTION BY PARKS
Minority Report Urges Adoption of
Three Per Cent Income Levy. How
Classification System Would Work.
Would Mean More Revenue.

~~GSS~~@OS-N~~NN ~~~-NN
Would Mean More Revenue.
ATLANTA, Ga.-A property clas-
sihcation tax intended to bring out
great deal of property not now on the
tax books has been recommended to
the general assembly in lieu of an in
come tax by the legislative tax COM
mission The report was adopted by a
vote of to |, there being only eight
of the Is members of the commission
present.
The report recommending proper
ty classification tax was offered by
Representative Parks, of Terrell, and
was as follows:
"The committee, after much inquiry
and careful consideration, is OF the
opinion, and so reports to the general
assembly, that an income tax as sub
stitute for the ad valorem tax, or in
conjunction with an ad yalorem tax,
would be inopportune, inexpedient and
unsatisfactory, and would only result
in added burdens to the people of the
state.
Disclosures Seen.
"The committee is of the further
opinion, and so recommends to the
general assembly, that any changes
proposed at this time in the law on the
subject of taxation should be to enact
provisions for a reasonable classical
ton of property for purposes of taxa
ton, it being the belief of the COM
mittee that such system would re-
suit in the voluntary disclosure OF large
amounts of intangible property not
now on the books for taxation.
"Our construction of the resolution
under which we act is that we have
nothing to do with the bill now pend
ing looking to the repeal OF the pres
ent tax equalization law"
Representative Parks did not have
any reference to the tax equalization
law in his original report, but Chair
man George Carswell insisted that
there should be some reference to it.
Representative Parks and Senator
John Jones, of Lagrange, declared that
this issue would be red flag in the
faces of many people, and might de-
feat the entire report. Subsequently an
amendment offered by Senator Walker
was added to the report keeping
hands off the tax equalization law.
Substitute Fails.
Representative Landlord of Toombs
offered a substitute report recommend
ing an income tax of 3 per cent to be
credited on the ad valorem tax from
S mills to mills. This substitute re-
ceived no support and Mr.. Landlord
was the only opponent of the Parks
report However, it was said that a re-
port favoring an income tax would
receive the support of several mem
bers of the commission who were alb
sent
Henry ]. Fullbrigbt, state tax COM
missioner, addressed the commission at
considerable length, pointing out the
necessity for additional revenue. lie
said the present law in Georgia is the
best in the United States from the
standpoint of the tax dodger. He also
said the proposed income tax, to be
credited on the ad valorem tax, would
not mean much more income for the
state, but it would distribute the bur-
den by getting at all the taxable prop
erty.
State Is Exiting"
Mr.. Fuilbright was asked about the
classification tax system now used in
Kentucky. He stated that Kentucky
taxes money in the bank at a rate OF
ST per $1,000: land at 81 per 81 600;
live stock at 81 per $1,000, and other
property at So per ST 900. Last year
city property and farm lands paid on
Nv go per cent of the taxes, and money
in banks was listed at 1924, 000,0 600,
whereas only $11,000000 had been
turned in for taxes in 1917 under a 81
,,;lf ~ Hinder +he classification tax
law Kentucky's valuations on intangi-
bles had increased 500 per cent, while
Georgia's was increasing Is per cent,
Mr.. Fullbright said.
Mr.. Fullbright told the committee
that millions of acres of land in Geor-
gia can be bought now at less than
their assessed value, so there IS no
chance of increasing the rate OF as
sessment on property. He also men
toned the rate of assessment on prop
erty. He also denied that the state is
out of debt, or is getting out OF debt,
unless it could be said that debt is
settled by giving a note for it.
Chairman George Carswell declared
that the state is 'iiting," like man
who draws check on one bank to
cover a check on another bank account
without having money in either.
Minority Report.
Mr.. Carswell and four of the absent
commitment have filed minority re-
port recommending that per cent
income tax be levied in Georgia. The
minority also suggests the reduction
of the present constitutional tax limit
of four mills.