Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-27
TAX COMMISSION
PLANS To CONSULT
ATLANTA INTERESTS
nv RALPH SMITH

BY RALPH SMITH
Although Governor Walker and
members of his special tax commits
sion are we'll pleased with the prog
ress of their quest for an ideal solu-
ton of Georgias problem Of taxation,
they are looking to the diversified
interests of Atlanta to supply helpful
suggestions. The commission will
give over practically the entire
month of October to hearings in At
lanta, to which it is hoped both At
lanta and other parts of the ssate
will give serious attention.
Governor Walker believes that the
Atlanta hearings, besides offering
full opportunity to Atlanta business
interests to present their views, will
offer, also, a splendid opportunity
for sections of the state not visited
by the commission to send in deIega-
tons to be heard.
Members of the commission frank
ly admit that they regard Atlanta
as truly representative of the state.
They point out that in the capital
city are to be found men and women
representative of every activity IN
the state-financial, commercial, in
dustrial, agricultural.
Several commissioners, during the
week, have expressed a desire to hear
the views of the big banks and in
s1rance companies of Atlanta, and
to get expressions of opinion from
many Atlanta individuals whose
wealth and standing in the business
world are known all over Georgia.
st wonder what Asa Gambler, John
Grant, Edward Inman and other
wealthy Atlantians, who are known
to be big taxpayers, think the state
should do in the matter Of tax re-
FORM" said Judge U. V. Whipple, of
Cordele, the other day at Augusta.
"It is to be hoped that men Of this
class at least give us the benefit OF
their views and their cooperation"
Another member of the commits
sion suggested that the Atlanta
hearings would afford the big whole
sale and retail merchants an oppor-
tunity to express themselves fully
concerning the taxation Of merchan-
disc, notes and accounts.
Merchants Advice Sought
"What concerns Rich, Chamberlin,
High, Allen, Keely and other promi-
nent retailers in Atlanta is Of con-
Germ also to smaller retail merchants
in every city, town and village in
Georgia" he said. Certainly mer-
chants of this type should be pre-.
pared to give the commission in
valuable advice about the sugges-
ton of sales tax, and it follows,
too, they are we'll situated to dis
cuss heIpfully the assessment and
taxation of merchandise. notes and
accounts.
"Thes banks Of Atlanta are the
pride Of the state" he continued.
"They are managed by men of un-
questioned integrity and business
ability. These men undoubtedly have
matured views about taxation, and
their views will. am sure, be APP
preciated by the commission.
"The jobEers and wholesalers of
Atlanta, the commission and produce
men are familiar with angles of the
tax question about which we would
like to hear. The newspapers, too.
undoubtedly have views about the
problem, and then there are all sorts
of weekly and monthly publications
magazines. trade journals and
what not--whose interest in taxa
ton we recognize"
The tax commissioner added that
the big insurance companies, local
and foreign, fire, life and assess
ment) maintain headquarters in At
lanta, and that the commission looks
to their managers for helpful infor.
nation and suggestions about tax re
form in the state.
"Then, there are in Atlanta lots
of able, intelligent men who are EN-.
gagged in handling funds for foreign
corporations, lending them on resi-
dence property and farm lands. Tax
alton to these men is a big question,
and we hope they will appear at our
Atlanta hearings"
Industrial Tax Problem
ATLANTA is justly proud of her in
dustrial development. There are
hundreds of industries in the city
all sorts of manufactures. Taxation
is a great problem to them, and they
should welcome the opportunity to
present their views, individually and
collectively. Certainly, members of
the commission will welcome them
at the October hearings.
'I suppose there are in Atlanta at
least one or more persons who is
engaged in every line of business
activity to be found in Georgia, and
in this general classification 1 in
| clude farming, for there are many
farmers who live in Atlanta.
The, point is that occupation
taxes levied by the general tax act
probably reach in Atlanta every
class of business that falls under any
of the classes enumerated in the law.
Undoubtedly, many of these interests
| feel that some Of these occupations
| taxes are unjust or discriminatory.
| The commission wants to hear all
about them and to get mature6 opin.
! ions as to whether they should be
continued, abandoned or materially
changed in their application and en-
| forcement."
TAX BODY GOES TO
COLUMBUS TUESDAY
Governor Walker and the members