The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-26
BILL To Est LISH
TAX Commission IS
PASSED BY HOUSE
County Tax Adiusters Will Be
Abolished on September
80 Under Terms of
e. e. Measure
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU |
THE AGE-HERALD !


ing a state tax commission of five
whose terms will begin at once, and
abolishing the county tax adjusters
at the end of the fiscal year. Sep
TENDER 90. was passed by the house
of representatives Thursday. Ninety
three votes were cast in favor of the
bill.
But the bill originally introduced
was not approved. Instead Repre-
sentative J. Lee Long, acting for the
administration, offered substitute
which provides that members of the
tax commission shall serve at the
will of the governor and without spe-
Gifted terms of office. The governor
has power to remove any member at
any time with or without cause.
Williams Attaci.s Bill
This provision of the bill was at
tackled by Representative Bravis
Williams of Franklin, who proposed
an amendment making the tax COM
mission appointed for the term of the
governor Mr.. Williams declared that
the bill giving the governor authority
to remove the commissioners at will
was dangerous because the governor
could direct the commission to in
crease taxes and If the members did
not follow his instructions they could
be removed from office.
However, the house tabled the
amendment and proceeded to pass the
bill as written.
Two efforts were made to amend
the bill so as to provide for the
abolition of the tax adjusters at once
and at a date earlier than Septem-
Der 80 hut failed.
;. Representative Elliott of Choctaw
proposed the abilitie n of the tax ad-
justers at once. contending that a
great majority of the law makers
were elected on a platform calling
for the ending of the present taxing
system at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
Long Administration Leader
Representative Long, acting as ad-
ministration floor leader on the bill,
opposed the amendment and contend
ed that while he favored the aboli-
ton of the adjusters as soon as pos
sible the governor should have the
right to maintain a taxing system
until other plans are made which
will include the dispensing with the
services of the tax adjusters.
Mr.. Long said the governor had
made the pledge that the adjusters
would be abolished at the earliest
possible moment and called attention
to a provision In the bill which gives
the governor the right to remove any
tax adjdster earlier than September
80 if he believed the adjusters serv-
ices are no longer necessary. He in
sisted that in a few counties the
work of the adjusters cannot be COM
pleted until late in the fiscal year.
'u Representative c. W. Ashcraft of
y Lauderdale, and Session of Coffee,
Z also opposed the amendment. declar-
nfing that while they favor the aboli-
ton of the tax adjusters it would
not be well for the state to dis
pense with them until definite
plan had been worked out for the
performance of their duties by others.
Tiiler's Contention
Representative Tiller If Geneva in
sisted that under the bill as proposed
by the administration the tax ad-
justers would hold to their jobs as
long as possible declaring that if
they did not provide for an earlier
"end than September 80 the adjusters
would find some method Of retaining
their positions until the last day pre-
scribed by law.
Without a record vote the house
laid the Elliott amendment on the
table
Representative st. John of Cullman
then offered an amendment providing
for the abolition of the adjusters
July 80 instead of September 80. Mr..
st. John told the members of the
house that when they were candi-
= dates they told the people they would
spabolish the tax adjusters as soon as
they came to Montgomery. He urged
them to remember that platforms are
made to stand on as we'll as to get in
on He contended that the adoption
of his amendment would save the
state $4,000 this year,
BealIe's Argument
Representative Bealle OF Tusca-
loosa opposed the ST. John amend
ment that time should be allowed
the adjusters to wind up their work
and that the taxing machinery had
been provided.
Representative Sollie of Dale in
sisted that time should be allowed
the tax adjusters in which to make
their final report for the ia xyear, but
that their services should be dis
pensed with Immediately after their
work had been ended for the tax
year.
Representative Long closed the ar
eument against the ST. John amend
ment by declaring that the admins
tration has studied the situation and
should be trusted. especially in view
of the fact that Governor Brandon
had promised the tax adjusters would
be discharged one by one as they
completed their work.
Representative Tunstall of Hale
told the members that the taxing ma
chinery of the state is constructed
around the tax adjusters and that 1t
would not be we'll for the legislature
IN oh oh he a o1 xxrff l,
providing other machinery. He said
without the tax adjusters or some
thing to take their places he as
sessments could not be retained at
60 per cent of the fair value of the
property. lie called attention to his
? opposition to the tax adjusters in
1919 and declared that he favored
stheir abolition now but could not
vote for their abolition until other
machinery had been provided.
I'll. WaItons' Warning
Representative Walton of Cham
bers was the only member to raise
his voice in warning against the abo-
lition of the adjusters. He said he
knew the legislature would change
the system but that its action will be
a. backward step and that when the
tax assessors do the assessing half
\ of the property owners of the state
Will pay the total cost of the govern
ment.
Mr.. Walton warned the lawmakers
that the day will come when the tax
adjusters will return "as the same
soldiers but in other uniforms"
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