The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-05-02
INTENDS PERSONALLY
TO DELIVER MESSAGE
GOVERNOR HARDWICK WILL
SPEAK TO JOINT SESSION
OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OPPOSED TO BOND ISSUES
Does Not Think Now Is the Time to
Increase States Indebtedness Fa-
vors Tax Reforms and Continuation
Of Economy Policy.


Of Economy Policy.
ATLANTA, Ga.-While Governor
Hardwick has not yet begun to put
together his annual message to the
general assembly he let it be known
today that, in view Of the number of
important subjects he will discuss, he
will deliver the annual message to
joint session in person, but thereafter,
unless some special reason should
arise, any other communication during
the session will be transmitted in writ
ing.
There is an even greater interest in
what the message will contain this
year than on the occasion of his first
message to the assembly He has not
indicated, directly, what he will dis
cuss in it, but there is no doubt that
considerable attention will be given by
him to discussion of two propositions
tax reform and continuation of the
policy of economy he has been carry.
ing out the last year
States Financial Condition.
The financial condition Of the state
will be shown to have considerably
improved since June a year ago, with
prospect at this time of still further
improvement between this date and
the opening of the session. These mat
tiers, of course, will be given stress
in the message. There will, too, be
word of caution to the assembly to
go very slowly on any emergency or
,4yI,.Ch he
asked, else what has been accomplish
ed in year in the way of starting to
pull the OK out of the ditch" may be
money that will not actually be need
ed to keep the institutions and depart
ments afoat and functioning.
Some time ago there was a mild
rumor that effort would be made this
year to increase the gasoline tax OF
cent a gallon for the purpose of rails
ing more revenue for the general treas
ury. So far as can be gathered from
official sources there is no serious in
tention of that kind at this time.
What attention will be given the
matter of tax reform seems at the mo-
ment to be held in allegiance pending
probably, the next meeting of the joint
ldA COlilllllllCN vi lllC WiiSA
undoubtedly will have some important
mends to the assembly as we'll as to
formulate what the commission itself
will recommend. This committee will
meet again on Wednesday, May 3rd.
AS to Bond Issues.
1t is by no means certain at this
time whether the governor will make
any reference to the matter of pro-
posed bond issues in his message. In
fact, so far as can be learned, he has
not gone into a discussion of that
proposition further than to say he
does not believe this is the time to
make any proposition materially in
creasing the states debt, and for that
reason believes it is not propituous, in
reason believes it is not propituous OF
such a case to propose it.
AT the recent convention Of the
Georgia Educational Association in
Columbus Governor Hardwick pre-
dicted that the people of Georgia
would not at this time authorize any
state bond issue, and expressing his
opposition to the proposed issuance of
state bonds for any purpose at this
juncture.
The governors remarks came at a
meeting of city and county school of
ficials, who gathered for a series OF
conferences prior to the opening of
the educational association convention.
His expressions were prompted by
speeches made by M. L. Britain,
Georgia superintendent of schools, and
by F. G. Abercrombie, superintendent
of schools in Alabama, both of whom
advocated the issuance of state bonds
for school purposes.
Governor Hardwick declared that
the people of Georgia are not in
mood to increase the states indebted
ness at this timess and predicted that
efforts to put over either state school
bond issue or a state highway bond
issue will result in failure.
Would Crowd People.
Later in an interview the governor
said MY judgment is that the cam
paign for the highway bond issue
ought to be carried on at least two
years, until the general election of
1924. By that time the people could
be thoroughly informed with regard
to the whole proposition, and condi-
tons undoubtedly will be improved.
Our present total bonded debt of the
state is not yet over $6,O00,0O0," said
the governor. ITO go before the peo-
pie this year with a proposal of $751;
100000 for highways and $150,000000
for schools would manifestly be crowd
ing the people too rapidly"
There will be recommendation that
the legislature look into the advisa-
bility of abolishing the office Of spe-
cial attorney to the state highway de-
partment, and almost certainly that
phase of the message will carry fur
ther suggestions in respect to other
bureaus and boards Indeed, it is for
that purpose an efficiency expert is
now engaged under the governors ar
rangement in making a survey OF GER
tain branches of the state govern
ment.
It is practically definite that none
of the report by the expert will be
made public until the whole work has
been completed, and then in all prob
ability ii will first be transmitted to
the legislature, and attention will be
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