Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-12-06
GOVERNOR CHANGE
POSITION TOO OF TEN.
.CkRSWELL. Charge s
After Study Of Different Tax
Systems, He Says Walker
Still Seems Undecided
ATTACKS LAST MESSAGE
ImFsssible To Be Consistent
And Follow States Execu-
tive Solen States


ATLANTA, Dee. 6.-Presida'lt
George Carswell, of the Georgia
senate, Wednesday night declared
that Governor Clifford Walker has
changed his position on the states
tax problem so fast it is impossible
for one to be consistent in follow
ing him." President Carswell gave
out an interview in which he urged
the general assembly to "act for
the good Of Georgia regardless Of
the many conflicting views"
The particular action OF the GOV
ernor against which President Cars
well directed his attack, was the
message sent to the assembly by the
states chief executive on Tuesday,
urging immediate consideration Of
the Ellis statutory income tax bill,
after the governor had earlier asked
the legislature to pass a coustitu-
tlonal amendment providing Tor an
income tax
In explaining this course, the gov
ernor, on Tuesday. said that while
he desired a constitutional amend
ment allowing the state to tax in
comes and also putting a limitation
on the rate O fsuch taxes, at the
same time he would be glad to see
a statutory income tax bill passed.
if possible. in order to get the bene-
til Of the law by 1924, and also to
add a second string to the proposal
to levy o state income tax.
lnasmuch as the principle in
volved is the same" said the COVER
nor, there can be no logical argu-
ment for one and, at the same time,
against the other"
after being here for four weeks
trying to enact an amendment to
the constitution authorizing an in
come tax" Mr., Carswell said the
governor now sends a message ask
ing the assembly to pass statutory
income tag, regardless of the con-
stitution.
Therefore, the four weeks al
re&dy spent in following recon-
1Oendations of the governor would
be useless and wasteful if we fol-
lowed his latest request.
A week ago the governor qd
vised against net income tax. saw
ing that such measure would ex-
empt all corporations in the state
from paying an income tax. And
now he takes the position we should
only enact a net income tax.
WI 'o'0nt e0 '0ne 2 Eccl-
ago /. nOuii exempt them now.
! have tried from TIE beginning
Of Che session to cooperate with
the governor in his tax reform pro-
gram and have left the chair or
several occasions to speak for the
commission bills. But the COVER
nor changes his position SO fast it
IS impossibla for one to be con-
sistent in following him. After
his extensive study of the North
Carolina plan and afr the recon-
mendations Of his own tax commits
sion. he seems yet undecided as %
what is best"
To pass the Ellis bill, the legis-
lature would be forced to remain
in session at least ten days longer
at a further and needless expense.
THE different positions and diff
ferent views Of the governor leave
the general assembly with nothing
to follow except the dictates of its
own good Judgment Knowing the
financial condition of lare propor-
ton OF the citizens of Georgi, I
doubt the wisdom Of placing any
additional tax on any of the people
at this time, but we should endeav-
or to distribute the burden and sec
that taxes already being levied are
nIoperLy collected and eXpended -