Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-27
GOVERNOR EXPECTED
To BROADEN SCOPE
Of CALLED SESSION
Capitol Rumors Are That Ad-
ditionaI Matters viii Be
Placed Before Legislature
by Walker

Called primarily to consider the
emergency" of tax reform in Geor
gia, and limited originally to the
question of taxation and free text
| books for primary grades in the
common schools, the scope Of the
| legislatures activity at it's extra ses
sion next month will, it is under
stood, be broadened by Governor
| Walker.
Attorney General Napier, in an
opinion said to have been sought by
| the executive, is said to hold that
the governor has authority to amend
his original call, and it is said that
he intends to exercise this authority.
According to well-informed opinion
in political circles, the governor will
issue an amendment to his legisla.
tive call within the next week or ten
days-possibly next Sunday, and
will, in the meantime, turn deal
ear to the inclusion in his amend
ment of any matters not already de,
cided IN his own mind as really de
manding consideration next month.
Governor Walker Thursday after
noon admitted that he had asked the
attorney general for an opinion as
to whether or not he could include
other matters in his call, but said
that he has not given consideration
to any specific issue that will be in
Guided, if the call is amended.
The governor added that the ques-
ton Of whether amendments to the
state law applying to the contract
for school books could be acted upon
by the assembly at the special ses-
sion came up several weeks ago, but
owing to work of the special tax
commission he had not yet consid-
cred it.
Matter Stirs Conjecture
Until the governor himself makes
a formal announcement his purpose
will, of course, be a matter of con-
lecture. Pending such an announce
ment, however, there is much specu-
lation as to what subjects he may
or may not include in the contem-
plated amended call of the extra SEES
sion.
1t is regarded as practically settled
that in the event the call is amended,
Governor Walker will include,
among other things, revision of
the state law applying to the state
contract for school books. This que s.
ton should not be confused with the
matter of free text books for pri-
mary grades-a subject already spec
flied by the governor for the extra
session.
The schoolbooll contract was Up
for action several weeks ago by the
state board of education. No action
was taken, however, because the
board found that the present law
relating to the exchange value of
abandoned and discarded books mill
tates against an advantageous con
tract. Publishers, it is stated, de
cline to give the state minimum
price on schoolbooks because of the
alleged excessive value placed on
old books by state law.
Contract Expires Soon
The present contract of the state
for school books expires on January
1, next. Unless the contract is re-
newed in the meantime, the public
will be placed at a disadvantage in
the purchase of books, especially If
any important changes are made in
textbooks.
In addition to 1.-The school book
contract, there is the matter Of sew
eral deficiency appropriations
which were made by the legislature
last summer but which are not now
available and which will not be avail
able for months to come.
MI -, Of ln6 Crn.
Vile, it has been pointed out, has
been seriously embarrassed because
a deficiency appropriation made by
the Legislature has not been paid
by the governor.
The deficiency fund for the SAM
tarium approximates $239,000, and
was provided by the legislature to
cover obligations previously incur
red. Under the present law, the
governor has not felt that he could
either legally or honorably pay this
appropriation until he has paid to
the common schools one-half Of the
revenue received by the state. 1t
will be impossible to ascertain the
total of the states revenue until
next June, and unless the law is
amended the sanitarium's deficiency
fund will not be available until
then.
In the meantime, the sanitarium
is in serious financial straits.
What is true of the sanitarium is
true also Of the school for mental
detectives at Augusta. This institu-
ton is in actual want, and its help
less inmates are said to be suffer-
ing because deficiency funds pro-
vided by the legislature cannot be
made available until the end of the
present fiscal year.
ATTEMPT TO ADJOURN
SPECIAL SESSION PLANNED
An effort will be made on the
first day of the extra session in NO
vember, to adjourn the Georgia leg
islature until ten days before the
regular session in June, 1924, it was
announced Thursday by. DR.. T. r.
Whitley. veteran legislator from
Douglas county. DR.. Whitley stated
that he and many other members
of the general assembly regard the
present as a most inopportune time
to attempt tax reform, and expect a
waste of both time and money if the
tax question is taken up without
further consideration.