Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-18
GOVERNOR PLANS
A COMM|S S|ON Tt,
CON TAX PROBLEM
Extraordinary Term Of the
( Legislature, Probably This
Fall, to Consider Bevenue
Matters, Forecast ,

a statement reiterating his purpose
to convene the Georgia general as
sembly in extraordinary session fol-
the revision of the states tax system
He has not announced the date OF
the extra session, but his close
friends predict that it will be about
the middle of November. a
Pending the assembling of the leg.
isfature at a date to be named sub.
sequently, the governor announces
his purpose to appoint a commission
Of citizens "of conservative and
sound judgment, headed by mem.
OF representatives and representing
farmers, bankers, merchants and
manufacturers, to make a scientific
study of tax problems"
Walkers Statement
The governors statement in full
follows: =
''Unshaken in the conviction ex-
pressed in my inaugural address and
reiterated on every proper occasion
since, that the industrial progress
OF Georgia and civic peace and har-
mony among our people can be pro-
NOTED as in no other way by, the
stabilizing of the tax system Of our
state. l feel compelled to call an
extra ordinary session of the Georgia
general assembly to repeal the tax
equalization law and adopt in it's
stead a system of taxation more fair
ly distributing the burdens of taxa
ton by placing a fair share thereof
upon invisible property. i
"In the meantime, in compliance
with the platform on which L was
elected, 1 shall request committee
of citizens of conservative and sound
judgment, headed by members of
the senate and house of represen-
tatives, and representing farmers,
bankers, merchants ard manufac-
turers, to make scientific and bust
nesslike study of the entire tax
problem, prepare a budget of the
needs of the educational and ellen =
osynary institutions Of the state,
project a ten-year program Of con-
struction and maintenance to place
these institutions in line with those
Va OtIlCI SldlcS Ill Ing
union, and fortunate a tax plan to
meet those needs, without undue
burdens upon the owners of real
estate and tangible property, who
now bear practically all the burden
of taxation.
COmmends Lawmakers
II commend the legislature for
making additional provisions for the
Confederate Veterans and the high
ways of the state. The cause of edu-
cation and the care of the wards of
the state should now engage our at
tention, along with the reform of our
tax laws.
r. 81 again earnestly beseech the bust
ness men of the state to cooperate in
the framing Of tax laws which will
build the greater Georgia Of the flu
ture"
Governor Walker has under consid-
Grafton the personnel of the special
commission he intends to appoint. 1t
is not known when he will announce
the names of the men to compose
the body, or the exact date of the
extra session.
On the last day of the session, the
house of representatives. voted to
table the subject of taxation and the
rules committee of the senate voted
to keep off the calendar the bills
providing for repeal of the tax equal
ization law.
VainIy Sought Action
Hopeful to the last that something
might happen to bring action on the
revenue bills to which his admins
tration was committed, the governor
and his supporters in both branches
were powerless to break down the
sentiment that prevailed to force an
extraordinary session.
Departing legislators debated the
question whether the state now has
a general tax act in force. Many
take the position that the old tax
act was enacted for two years only
and that the action of the assembly
in deferring action on the new act
until 1924 leaves the state without
machinery TO levy special taxes, At
torney General Napier is expected to
hold, however, that this contention
is erroneous, although many law
yers in both branches take an op-
posite view.
Atlanta Bills Killed
Two measures of vital Importance
to- the city Of Atlanta were killed for
the session during the closing hours
The viaduct bill, giving authority to
the city to erect bridges over the w
& A. railroad tracks at Pryor street
and Central avenue, was choked in
the senate rules committee, while
the house bill paving the way for
annexation of College Park, East
Point and Hapeville with the city OF
Atlanta, was allowed to die in the
house after the senate had voted ar
amendment to the bill.
A number Of conference commit
tees were kept busy during the f1na
hours, adjusting differences between
the house and senate over items iT
the general appropriations bill ant
over special appropriation bills. The
chief contention was over the appro
priation for payment of pensions.
The pension question finally was
adjusted by a compromise which
increased the original pension APP
preparation from $1,250,000 to ST.
100000.
A stormy debate over the state
highway department was a feature
of the last session Of the house. A
stir also was created by Repre-
sentative Covington, Of Colquitt, in
an attack on the senate in which
he charged 'tnat the special interests
had dominated the upper branch.
Without dissent the members OF
the assembly depart for their homes
with the feeling that the session
has hppn moro Or less of q failure
Questions Extra Session
George H. Carswell, president OF
the senate, thinks both branches
"by all means" should have passed
amendments to the constitution
looking to allowing the people to
decide whether they want to change
their system of taxation. He
doubts, however, that an extra SEES
sion this year will obtain the de-
sired results.