Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-24
STATE ASSEMBLY
PASSES HALF WAY
MARK IN SESSIONS

The 1923 session of the Georgia
legislature passed the halfway mark
Saturday without g. single bill of
general application having been
passed by both houses. The outstand-
ing accomplishment of the senate has
been the passage of the Landlord in
come tax bill and that of the house
the overwhelming vote for the re-
peal of the tax equalization law.
Prodded by the senate in resolu-
tons adopted Thursday, the house
planned to begin double sessions
Monday or Tuesday. Representative
Miner, of Dodge county, vice chair
man of the house committee on rules,
announced Friday that it would be
absolutely necessary for the mem
bers to come back to afternoon ses-
sions during the remainder Of the
session, if they expect to clean up
the legislation already on the cal
endar. 1t is not thought that there
will be serious opposition to the move
for double sessions.
Veteran members OF the legisla-
ture see in the situation now con-
fronting the general assembly, the
danger of a deadlock over pending
revenue measures. A recent poll of
the senate showed 20 members who
insist that the tax equalization law
should not be repealed until some
substitute measure has been adopt
ed, while the repealists in the house
just as ardentIy demand the passage
of the repeal measure before any
revenue law is put upon its final
consideration.
Finance Bill
Senator Mason, chairman Of the
finance committee of the senate, to
which the house bill repeating the
tax equalization law was referred,
has announced that this bill will not
be taken up by the committee until
the end of next week. This means
that the senate. can not begin con-
sideration of the measure until the
following week.
There is a disposition on the part
of members Of the house to see what
the senate does with the tax equali-
cation repeal measure before they
take UP consideration of the income
tax bill, so the assembly faces the
possibility that each branch will wait
on the other, and discuss other mat
ters.
Under such a program, the house
will have plenty to occupy it for sew
eral days, as the report of the ap-
preparations committee is scheduled
for Monday. This report will be
redraft Of the appropriation meas
ures Of 1922 and 1928, with all special
and deficiency appropriations elimi-
mated. The committee has decided
to follow the recommendation of the
state budget commission that the
appropriations for the next two
wears be the same as for the two
preceding years, or 81 ESQ. 600 for PEN
sions. instead of the $3,5O0,O0O re-
ouired to fulfill all obligations to the
veterans; $4,25O,0O0 for the common
schools. instead of approximately
S.. 900 900 sought under the present
law giving the schools one-hat OF
all the actual revenues of the state,
and 100000 for the state sanitarlum,
instead of more than million re-
quested.
State Institutions
Practically all of the institutions
of higher education in the state
have asked for increased mantle
nance appropriations or special APP
nronriations for new buildings and
repairs. and these colleges have
many champions in the house.
There is possibility that advocates
of increased appropriations for pen
sions and colleges may comolne
forces and try to amend the ap-
preparation bill so as to include the
special Appropriations. The argu-
ment will, be advanced that the leg
isature is certain to pass meas
ures that will bring in more reVe-
nue., and the special appropriations
can be taken care of with these in
creased receipts, it is said.
! On the other hand, the house
economists and those who are afraid
that no new revenue measure can
be passed, will battle for approval
of the bill submitted by the finance
committee. Conservative leaders
point to the situation that might
result if the senate passes the re-
peal bill and then the two houses
| cannot agree on any revenue pro-
ducing measure.
! One OF the stumbling blocks the
repeal bill is certain to face i'll the
senate is over the amendment OF
the bill making it become effective
| January !, 1924. instead of January
! 1. 1925, as originally drawn. There
! is no chance of making any reve-
nue. measure, except some special
| tax under the present general law,
effective by January l, 1924. There
is even fear that a constitutional
amendment cannot be made effective
by January /, 1925, and house lead
ers say that an income tax, even
though it may be made effective
in 1925. cannot produce any reve-
nue. until 1926, as income taxes are
based on the incomes Of the pre-
ceding year.
Classification Tax Bill
The senate also has facing 1t
consideration of the classification tax
bill of Senator Mason, based on the
| tax system now followed in Ken
| lucky. Senator Mason is anxious
to get a quick hearing on his meas
ure, which has been approved by
the finance committee. in order that
| the bill may not get into the con-
gestion of the final days of the ses-
sion.
In the house. the Elders tax meas
ure, based on the North Carolina
law, will divide attention with the
income tax bill. Representative Ell
ders, of Tatnall county. convinced
| that he has the best tax plan now
under consideration. is insisting that
his bill be reported out by the COM