Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-31
HOUSE To SPEED Up
CONSIDERATION OF
REVENUE MEASURE
Warning Issued That Only
Fourteen Days Remain in
Which to Dispose of Ap-
preparation and Tax Laws

With the realization that there
are now only fourteen more days
for revenue legislation, four definite
steps were taken in the house OF
Representatives Monday to speed up
the consideration of appropriation
and tax laws. These steps were as
follows:
First. Speaker Neill sounded q
warning that failure to pass the ap-
preparation bill speedily meant an
extra session and ne would not be
held responsible for the criticism
that would result.
Second. Members of the subcom-
mittee of the constitutional amend
ments committee, charged with con-
sideration of revenue measures, were
excused from participation in the
other deliberations of the house and
hear dan address on the urgency OF
tax legislation by Governor Clifford
Walker in the speakers room.
Third. Representative McMichael,
Of Marion, asked for a postponement
Of his highway bill scheduled for con-
sideration Monday by a committee OF
the whole house in order that the
appropriations bill might be rushed.
He gave notice that those who want
tax reform and those who want
changes in the laws governing the
highway department and the depart
ment Of agriculture would hold
caucus to plan a legislative program.
Amendments Would be Postponed
Fourth. Representative Fleming,
of Hancock, introduced a resolution
asking the house to put all revenue
laws requiring constitutional amend
ments at the head of the calendar OF
unfinished business for the 1874 SEES
sion of the Legislature and central
lied the efforts of the present SEES
sion on emergency tax bllls ana
other important measures.
Speaker Neilrs charge to the iegis-
lature demanding speedy considera-
ton of the appropriations bill and
other constructive legislation was
very vigorous. He declared that he
was not in favor of gag rule, but
if the house wasted any more time
the appropriations bill could not be
passed BIZ the senate at the present
session, and an extra session would
be absolutely necessary. He stated
that the people of Georgia would
bitterly criticise such a development,
and he wanted to be absolved from
any of the blame.
The subcommittee considering tax
matters was appointed Friday, and
did not organize, until Monday morn
ing. The committee was empowered
to report on the bill of Senator Lank-
ford providing for an income tax and
the revenue measures of Representa-
tives Elders, of Tatnall, and Bussey,
of Crisp. This is the committee that
heard Governor Walker.
Tax Reform Friends to Meet
Representative McMichael in ask
ing for a postponement of his high
way bill stated that he did not want
to impede the appropriations bill or
tax legislation. He then announced
that all friends of reform in the
highway department and the depart
ment of agriculture and those who
seek relief in taxation will meet
Monday night in the house chamber
and agree on a program.
"There are many of us who do
not believe it is necessary to cram
constitutional amendments down
our threats at the present session
and it is probable that we will ask
the house to consider no more of
these measures at the present time,
Mr.. McMichael declared. Chow
ever, we must find hidden property
for taxation and settle the highway
and department of agriculture mat
ters.''
Amendments POstpOnement' Urged
The resolution by Senator Elem
ing, which was referred by the
speaker to the rules committee for
action, gave the following reason
for asking that tax reform consti-
tutional amendment be postponed:
because two days, and probably
more, of that time fourteen work.
ing days. will be required to COM
plete the general appropriations
bill; and three days, and probably
more, for the consideration Of the
general tax act, which leaves only
nine days, and probably less for
pending investigation of the agricul-
tural department, and of the high
way department; consideration of
the several deficiency appropria-
ton bills; without taking into con-
sideration, the unavoidable necessity
of providing for the current finan-
cial needs of the state; a large
number of pending general and To-
cal measures on the calendar and
in committees undisposed of; the
numerous senate bills already in
the house and yet to come from
the upper branch of the general as
sembly.
Because no adequate Informative,
authoritative statistical information
for wise consideration of tax prob
lens has been compiled and submit
ted in available form to members
of the general assembly; and it is
Impossible for the members thereof
to go into the several departments,
ferret out and compile these statis-
tics for themselves"