Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-11-07
LIMIT COUNTY AND
MUNICIPAL TAX

MUNICIPAL TAX
MACON, Nov. by Associat-
ed Press There is nothing of
more importance in the state than
the establishment of tax system
which would yield the largest rev
cue and at the same time equalize
the burdens of the taxpayers,
Charles j. Bayne, associate editor
Of the Macon News, declared today
in discussing Georgia's greatest
needs.
The present system Of taxation
is far from accomplishing" this
end, he stated, adding that while
individuals may differ as to details
it seems obvious that the ad va
loren property tax is obsolete" A
limit, also, must be placed upon the
amount of taxes that may be i'm
posed by counties and municipali-
ties, Mr.. Bayne said.
THE Importance Of carrying out
complete system Of state high
ways is so great that it easily
takes second rank behind the tax
subject in the list Of the states
greatest needs" he asserted. "In the
first place, the Federal government,
which is spending millions of dol
lars year to aid the states in con-
structing improved highways, has
given US fair notice that within q
few years this aid will be with
drawn unless our constitution is so
amended that the state itself is en-
Powered to levy a road tax, and the
Federal government will mot have
to deal, even indirectly, with coun-
ty units.
'In practice, the state would not
have to levy a single dollar of prop
erty tax to complete the system Of
state highways that already has
been outlined. The motor vehicle
license tags and the gasoline tax.
Which will soon be available once
more in its entirety, will be qmpIe
to take care of the interest and
sinking fund Of a bond issue with
which we could complete the high
ways in a few years, and the debt
be retired at the end of thirty
years.
The owner and drivers of motor
vehicles are almost solidly in favor
of such bond issue. Thus we have
the spectacle Of those who will have
to bear the burden being anxious
to assume it, while ignorance and
lethargy combine to obstruct con.
summation. The enhancement in
the value of lands, the larger re.
turns from more accessible markets
the saving in the depreciation on
motor vehicles are but q few Of the
factors that argue. for good roads
1t seems astounding but true that
according to an expert estimate.
the motorists Of California save
$l6O,0O0,000 d year on tires alone
by reason of good roads.
The Improvement and extension
OF our educational system is Of
the greatest Importance. A great
er number Of consolidated schools,
with a greater number of teachers
VINO should be paid larger salaries
particularly in the rural districts,
constitute an obvious and urgent
need. Prompt payment of the
teachers, instead of compelling
them to wait from six months to a
year for their salaries, is impera.
tive. Public opinion is So well
consolidated on this question, and
on the prompt payment of Confed-
crate pensions, that there is no real
DIVISION, and the situation reverts
10 the need we have ranked FIRST.
which IS a larger revenue, equitably
distributed.
Diversified farming, cultivation
OF the idle acres, improvement of
marketing facilities are manifestlv
important, as we realize when we
consider the farming feeds us all
and that unless he prospers, the
public welfare languishes.
AT the risk Of sounding academ-
&c, 1t must be said, finally, that one
OF the greatest needs of Georgia,
and indeed of the whole country,
Is AN awakened civic conscience. To
put 1t more bluntly, we have too
much peanut politics, and not
enough craftsmanship We have in
Georgia thousands of intelligent
men and women-good citizens
who are diligent in business and