Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-06-20
GEORGIA AND HER
TAX METHODS

1 An ME ftODo
Every good citizen of any
community who has the welfare
of his section at heart is to be
commended for the interest he
has taken in the matter of adj
justing the tax burdens of the
state so that there will be no
unfairness to any individual.
A recent interview with L. G.
Council in the Times-Recorder
on this subject indeed goes at
the very heart of things. Being
an able financier and having
studied the need of the small
farmer who goes to him for adj
vice, he cores to know just how
much he is able to stand in the
matter of taxes. He is right in
speaking out in the way he has.
There are just lots of other
ways to meet the needs of any
commonwealth other than piling
up taxes on the people year af-
ter year. Mr.. Council has given
the remedy. He says, trim the
corners" In other words, cut
out useless expenses and in
stead of appropriating large
sums to institutions where no
money is in sight, don't do it!
Every incoming administra-
ton from president down to
those who manage the small
est town affairs, go in on a
promise to reduce taxes, but
after they get into office find
themselves powerless because of
entanglements, and so after all
the burden falls upon the little
fellow who has heretofore gone
on and paid his unjust tax bur
dens uncomplainingly, for of
himself he can do nothing,
neither can our friend, Mr..
Council, unless many others like
him get behind the lawmakers
in sufficient numbers to make
themselves felt, then something
is bound to happen.
No doubt the tax burden has
worried many a governor and
will no doubt continue to do so.
1t has been the direct cause of
many a political victory and de-
feat; it has been stumbling
block to the states progress
and many a member Of the
general assembly has paused
and pondered when this night
mare flared up before him.
The statistics of the wealth Of
the state of Georgia, if careful
ly studied, will show that we are
one of the richest in the nation
We lead in exports and our in
come from various sources
places US in a class with the
wealthiest. There is no reason
in the world why Georgia
should not be in fine financial
shape, all things considered.
The great trouble, seems to
us, and we believe we are right,
lies in the fact that a great por-
tion of our taxable wealth is
hidden from the tax receivers
gaze. Too much wild land in
Georgia and the tax receivers
make no effort to get this wild
land" on their books.
Never before in the history
of the state is there so much
real estate being sold for taxes.
In most cases the county is the
only bidder on the property. 1t
reverts to the county. This was
shown when Sheriff Harvey
few weeks ago here in Ameri-
Gus offered for sale parcel af-
ter parcel and not a single bid
der appeared nor did the own
ers of the property make an
effort to redeem his holdings.
he was simply swamped with
too much taxes.
The legislature of Georgia
will soon be in session. From
the outlook now every state
institution will be calling for
more money, an increase over
appropriations made at that
year, and they do this without
considering that the money for
appropriation made at that
time is not forthcoming, and
the outlook now is far from
bright that the money can be
raised this year. If the solons
win take Mr.. Councils good adj
vice and ''cut teorners" the