Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-06
GOVERNOR FINISHES
DRAFT Of ADDRESS
|. FOR EXTRA SESSION
viii Support Tax Commits
sion Recommendations,
Plans Dinner for LaWmak-
ers Wednesday Evening

Governor Walker Monday had
completed the draft Of his message
to the extra session of the legisla-
ture, which will convene Wednesday
for the consideration of tax reform
and free school book legislation.
Aside from declaring that he will
support the recommendations of, the
state tax commission, which have
not been made public, the governor
did not give any imitation as to the
contents Of his message. 1t is prob
able that he will give the legislature
the opportunity to organize Wednes-
day, and deliver his message Thurs
day, in connection with the report
Of the tax commission, though there
is possibility that the report and
message will both be delivered the
first thing Wednesday morning.
To Be Host at Dinner
The governor is planning to enter
tain the members of the legislature
at dinner on Wednesday night. He
will talk to them on the tax situa-
ton at that time.
Only a few members Of the gen
eral assembly had reached Atlanta
Monday.
One Of the more enthusiastic early
arrivals was Representative A. S
Bussey, of Crisp county. who has
been making a personal investiga-
ton of the North Carolina tax sys
tenn. Representa- i've Bussey was the
author of several tax measures intro
duced at the last session Of the gen
eral assembly, and toured the state
with the tax commission recently. 1t
is his opinion that the Legislature VIII
pass an income tax measure, limited
as to the maximum rate and modi-
fled in comparison to the federal i'll
come tax.
Predict Income Tax
Representative A. j. Woodruff, OF
DeKalb county, is of the opinion that
an income tax will be passed, and
also a bill providing free textbooks
tor pupils of the state grammar
schools, if, the revenue can be an
ticipated. Mr.. Woodruff is a mem
Der of the state tax commission.
II have talked to more than one
hundred members of the legislature
in the past few weeks, and it is the
opinion of all of them that we should
stop this talk about the legislature
doing nothing" Mr.. Woodruff de-
clared.
President George H. Carswell, OF
the state senate. and Speaker w
Cecil Neill, of the house Of repre-
sentatives, had not arrived Monday
Both had made reservations at the
Kimball house, and were expected
Tuesday night.
The majority of the members OF
the two houses will not reach At
lanta until Tuesday afternoon OF
Tuesday night, it was predicted, be-
cause Of the limited number of mat
tiers to be considered at the extra
session. Usually the legislators come
to Atlanta several days ahead of
legislative session, in order to work
for some pet bill or local measure
they are anxious to see passed. Only
the members of the state tax com
mission and two OR three laWmak-
ers are taking that much interest il
the program for the extra session.
Free Text Books Urged
Commenting on the probable &C
ton of the legislature at the extra
session, Representative Carl N
Guess, CT DeKalb county, said:
There is no possible way for the
present legislature, or future assem-.
bl;ts, to enact laws which would
meet the appro val Of all the peo
pie. The tax commission recently
appointed by Governor Walker is
worked faithfully and earnestly on
the tax question. Whether or not
the legislature will consider or en-
act the report of the committee,
cannot say. l am afraid, however
should there be many tax bills in
PRODUCED by individual members II
connection with the tax commission
report, little will be accomplished
except a wrangle among authors Of
the measures.
The foundation of all tax laws i:
the machinery to collect the tax. The
state loses a great amount of money
If machinery is not provided for the
collection Of taxes. This was demon
strated by the recent passage of the
three-cent gasoline tax, by reason Of
the fact, the comptroller general i:
without the necessary machinery II
collect this tax, thereby resulting il
| large loss of revenue to the state
| This is a matter which cannot b.
| remedied by General Wright, or hi!
department, but a matter purely III
! to the general assembly.
"a great many people disagree
politically with the opinions of tn
| late lamented United st: ties Senate
| Thomas E. Watson, but there is M
doubt in my mind that he champion
ed one of the greatest needs of tn
state when he advocated free tex
books for children in our common
schools. I am satisfied the genera
assembly in extra session will tax
into consideration this needed legis
lation."
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