Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-10

ture to levy an income tax for state
purposes upon net incomes as the
same may be defined by the general
assembly, which tax may be gradu-
ated, the rate in no case to exceed
5 per cent-the same to contain rea-
sonable exemptions. If sucn amend
ment is offered by the general as
sembly and ratified by the people, 1
pledge the influence of this office
to the adoption OF the scale of IN
come taxation suggested by the tax
commission. I further pledge the
calling Of an extra session Of the
present general assembly in order
that you may fix the rate of tax
alton and put the law into effect
at the earliest possible date.
2. Reduce Ad ValOrem Tax
~ recommend that the constitu-
tional limitation of five mills for such
taxes be reduced to such figure as the
legislature may deem safe in pre-
serving the credit and in maintaining
the institutions Of the state, in no
event to be larger than four mills.
3. Classification of Property
81 earnestly recommend a consti-
tutional amendment permitting the
legislature to classify PROPERTY by
owners of tangible property from one
to two million dollars annually. The
owners of intangible propertys produc-
ing an income of from per cent to
per cent will dodge taxation, sell
their intang ibles or move out of the
state before they will pay a tax of
from per cent to per cent. Such
a tax is an income tax of over so per
cent which, of course, is unfair, un-
reasonable and confiscatory. Even
the income tax has failed to reach all
intangibles. The classified property
tax system has succeeded in all the
states IN which it has been tried. A
system combining the income tax
with the classification tax meets the
approval of students of taxation. 1t
has been given the approval of the
people of the states which have tried
the combined system and the tax
commission urges your body to add
the classification law to the income
tax. ] earnestly joint in this recon-
mendation.
BUDGET SYSTEM
Modern business heartily ap-
proves a budget system. Its adop-
ton by the federal government has
met the approval Of business men
throughout the nation. Up-to-date
states have also incorporated this
system. [ do not hesitate to say
that this suggestion has met prac-
tically the unanimous approval of
the people of the state and I cor
daily urge the general assembly to
enact such a law.
5. STATE AUDITOR
Separate from the budget sys.
tenn, but supplementing its work
and a necessary adjunct thereto, is
a state auditor. The work of an
auditor is not intended alone to dis
courage dishonesty, although this
feature is incorporated in every
modern business plan. 1t is intend
ed to suggest modern systems of
bookkeeping, checking and auditing;
to suggest overlapping in endeavor
in transacting the business of the
state; the reduction of overhead and
all other expenses and the adoption
of every modern economy and other
business methods. I do not. hesitate
to say that if provided [ shall en-
deavor to make tits Office at least
the foundation for purchasing
system for the state which, while
giving preference to merchants in
the local vicinity Of the different
state institutions, will save annu-
ally several hundred thousand dol
lars. I cordially commend the pas
sage Of this legislation.
6. ENFORCE COLLECTION
OF TAXES
THE state tax commissioner in
an open meeting asserted his official
opinion that a reasonable force of
field inspectors charged with en-
forcing all tax laws would net in
the treasury a minimum Of one mil
lion dollars additional income an
nually. 1 sincerely share this
opinion and I earnestly ask that
such a. force be provided. Even the
establishment of a new department