Annual message of the Governor [Hugh M. Dorsey] to the General Assembly of Georgia, July 29, 1919

ANNUAL MESSAGE
OFTHE
GOVERNOR
TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF
GEORGIA
JULY 29th, 1919
1919 BYRD PRINTING CO., State Printers,
ATLANTA, GA.

ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF THE
GOVERNOR
TO THE
GENERA-L ASSEMBLY
OF
GEORGIA
JULY 29th, 19 19
1919 BYRD PRINTING CO., State Printers,
ATLANTA, GA.

MESSAGE
~htfe nf Q}enrgia:, '.lfr'xuutitte tllepadment,
July 28, 1919.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly: In my Inaugural Address, the report of the Budget
and Investigating Commission and in several special messages, your attention has been heretofore directed to those matters which, in my judgment, deserved preferential consideration. However, it is deemed advisable to call your attention to the following:
INADEQUACY OF SPACE IN CAPITOL AND NEED OF REPAIRS.
The business of the State is fast outgrowing the quarters afforded by the present Capitol building. Several Departments are handicapped in carrying
on their work because of the lack! of room. It has
been necessary to rent two buildings on Capitol Square for the Military Department and the State Board of Health; and offices have also been rented in one of the large office buildings of the city for the use of the Highway Department.
3

At my request, and without expense to the State, a survey of the Capitol building-especially with reference to the need of space-was made by Messrs. Edwards, Sayward and Leitner, architects, and their report covering this matter is as follows:
'' In response to your request to look into better housing conditions for departments located in the ground floor of the Capitol Building, we beg to say that we consider any expense put into changing or finishing this portion of the building as wasteful until certain fundamental and permanent changes are made, which should antedate any attempt at renovation or completion of this floor.
"First of all the antiquated and defective heating plant should be removed in its entirety and a modern and proper system installed if safety, efficiency and economy are important in this item. The steam generating plant should be taken out of the building entirely and put into a power house on an adjoining lot or in a subterranean power house on the grounds. All pipes for the mains could then be run under the ground floor of the building and thus make this floor when finished as habitable as any other portion of the building. For sanitary reasons the plumbing system should be entirely dismantled and a new and modern installation made.
"The proper completion of this ground floor would give great added space and value to the Capitol building for the housing of Departments of State to which it is admirably adapted.
'' The building throughout should be renovated with such remodeling as would adapt it suit-
4

ably to the present day requirements. By planning ahead this work could be done in several installments with economy and thus make the expenditure of little or no burden.
'' There are certain State Departments that should be removed entirely from the Capitol Building and structures erected for them elsewhere, adequate and of proper arrangements for the fclicitious handling of these departments, on adjoining property.
'' As a matter of fact we believe the State Capitol Building is most adequate for all time to house the administrative branches of the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial Departments of the State and should be equipped fully and properly for this service alone.
'' The most modern method of erecting State buildings is in a number of structures rather than in one building; notably, the State of Washington is building its equipment of this kind in several structures, one at a time as needed, with the whole outfit planned ahead. ~orth Carolina, Florida and Ca1ifornia are advancing their State building equipment by acquiring adjoining property and building new departmental structures while holding the existing Capitol in original form as a central and predominating feature around which the new structures are swung. Tennessee is agitating the question and soon to fo1low in the same direction of advancement. This method of housing is of course significant at our National Capitol."
I recommend the purchase of land near the Capitol upon which to erect an annex now needed, ancl

those which inevitably will be needed in the future. The present building should be used for the Libra-
ry, Courts and Executive Offices; and the Scientific Departments should be housed in the annex, which should be especially adapted to their needs.
The Capitol building is in need of general overhauling. The heating plant is wholly i11adequate; in consequence of which it is necessary to burn, frequently, both coal and gas in many of the rooms.
Your attention is invited to the report of the Keeper of Public Buildings and Grounds covering the period from July l, 1918 to July 1, 1919, in which the need of improved heating facilities is stressed.
ACOUSTICS OF THE HALL OF THID
HOUS"BJ OF REPRESENTATIVES.
By Resolution of date August 19, 1918 (Georgia Laws, 1918, page 923), the Governor was authorized '' to make such alterations and adclitious in the Hall of Representafrns" as would "pro<luce better acoustic powers therein.''
The firm of l<J<lwards, Sayward & Leitner was consulted, and through its offices a representative of the ::\Iazer Acoustilc Company-one of the foremost acoustical engineering firms in the United States, ancl one that has had splendid success in its line throughout the country-made a personal examination of the Hall. It is estimated that it would cost approximately $8,500.00 to make the necessary changes, for which sum results will be guaranteed. The investigation that I have made leads me to the conclusion that it would be ill-advised to undertake anything except in a very thorough way, and it is hardly probable that any reputable firm would
6

guarantee results for a sum much less than the figures submitted. Under the terms of the Resolution, and without further Legislative action, I did not feel that I was authorized to expend this amount.
This matter is also discussed in special report submitted by Edwards, Sayward & Leitner as follows:
"In response to your request that we investigate methods of improving and perfecting the acoustic properties in the House of Representatives Chamber in the State Capitol, we beg to say that we have gone into this matter thoroughly and beg leave to report that it is our conviction that the application of sound absorbing materials on wall and ceiling surfaces will correct excess reverberation in this room and accordingly we have called upon the Mazer Acoustile Company, who manufacture such a product in a scientific way to correct this defect. They regard the proposition of correcting the troubles in this room thoroughly practical after visiting the room and making a scientific investigation of same. "\Ve are handing you herewith their proposition which is self-explanatory and as you note is covered with guarantee that results will be satisfactory.
""\Ve are also attaching their letter of additional cost stipulating certain decorations at their varying costs to go along with the proposition which we have requested. On account of
the nature of their work they have attached to
their organization decorators of skill; and while scaffolds are in place it may be within your wisdom to desire that some portions of these additional items be considered. However, the price
7

of $7,200.00 embraces putting the room in thorough shape and acceptable in every degree as at present existing so far as decorations are concerned.
'' For architectural service that will be necessary in connection with this work, it will require an additional sum of six per cent, as a minimum, of the cost expressed in the bid submitted by the Mazer Acoustile Company.
"We recommend that you request from the Legislature a minimum of $8,500.00 which we believe necessary to accomplish all of the work in the room and the attendant requirements in approaches to the room and to cover the fees of the architect, and with this we would feel secure in handling the matter for the State to an accomplished result and which if successful should be regarded as trivial in the light of the advantage attained.
"We of course call attention to the guarantee of result which we hold before you as a legitimate ground for favorable Legislative action and which we shall safeguard to the State in every way if handled through our office. ''
And further in letter of Mazer Acoustile Company as follows:
'' At your invitation we have made a careful examination and study of the House of Representatives Chamber of the Capitol Building of the State of Georgia from the plans you submitted and from a visit to the room for the purpose of determining what is necessary to correct the acoustics of this auditorium and respectfully report as follows :
8

"We find the defective condition for hearing in this room to be due to the common cause known as 'excess reverberation.' This is due to the low rate of absorption of the sound. Each syllable produced in the room continues for too long a period of time, causing much overlapping and consequent indistinctness. The solution of this difficulty is purely scientific and the correction may be made with mathematical certainty.
'' In this room the correction would be accomplished by the installation of highly sound absorbing panels on certain of the plane wall and ceiling surfaces. These panels would extend out from the present surfaces not to exceed 2 inches and would be arranged to conform to such architectural layout as you require. The areas cov: ered would be, generally speaking, the two large flat wall spaces above the fireplaces; the major portion of the cove of the ceiling and the large plane surfaces of the main ceiling and balcony ceiling. The construction of these panels is our type "A" Acoustile; sample submitted. Each panel is a substantial unit built complete before erection and forms a permanent part of the room after erection. All of our treatment will be painted in washable oil colors. It will of course be necessary to paint the uncovered plaster surfaces in the room in order to make a presentable job, which this proposition includes.
"We shall furnish all engineering service, labor and material, including the painting in oil of all acoustile surfaces and plaster surfaces in the main auditorium in such colors or tints as you direct. The design, spacing of panels, required
9

mouldings, and all other architectural problems shall be in accordance with your instructions and details.
'' vVe propose to furnish all of the above de-
scribed labor and material for the sum of Seven Thousand Two Hundred ($7,200.00) Dollars.
""\Ve guarantee that the application of Acoustile when completed will entirely correct the acoustical defects so that speech will be heard clearly and distinctly with ease and comfort in all parts of the room. We require no payment until the acoustic properties have been tested by you and pronounced satisfactory.
"If ordered at this time we could complete the , entire work not less than a week in advance of the next meeting of the Legislature, which we understand to be the latter part of June.''
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
Your attention is further called to that portion of the report of the Keeper of Public Buildings and Grounds dealing with the condition of the Executive Mansion. It is unsafe and unsanitary. It is also badly located for a residence. The lot occupied by it in much too valuable to be used for anything except business. It could probably be easily exchanged for another home for the Governor, together with sufficient land near the Capitol to accommodate the needs of the State for many years to come, and .leave a surplus to. be applied to the liquidation of the bonded debt of the State, as provided by the Constitution.
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.
The Committee authorized by the General Assem-
10

bly under Section 12, General Appropriations Bill of 1917, in its report filed July, 1918, on page 8, called the attention of the General Assembly to the fact that the office of the Compiler of Colonial Records had not been created by law so as to admit of an appropriation for the maintenance of same to be carried in the General Appropriations Bill.
The General Assembly of 1918, at page 137, created the Department of Archives and History of the State of Georgia to. carry on the work done by the Compiler of Colonial Records, which official had, previous to the passage of the Act referred to, performed duties under an Executive Order passed by Governor Candler in 1903.
In establishing the Department of Archives and History, for some reason, the General Assembly limited its existence to the term of three years. (Section 9 of Act, Georgia Laws 1918, page 141.) It would be unfortunate if this limitation is not removed. It seems useless to create the Department unless it is to he made permanent. It is respectfully suggested that the time limit referred to be removed.
LIBRARY COl\fMISSIOK.
The law creating this Commission (Sec. 1565, Code o.f 1910) provides that:
'' X o member of this Commission, nor the Secretary, shall receive any compensation for services or traveling expenses, nor shall the State pay any expenses whatever that may be incurred in any way by this Commission." This Section should he repealed and the appropriation requested should he given the State Library
11

Commission. The Commission could render great service to our people-especially those in the rural districts.
Georgia needs a Board of Censors for moving pictures exhibited in this State. This should be placed under the jurisdiction of the State Library Commission, and the money realized from such censorship should be appropriated to the Commission.
LAND SETTLEMENT.
Georgia has a large area of undeveloped land. ]'ederal agencies are devoting time and money to providing homes for returning soldiers, sailors and marines. Georgia should do something in cooperation with such agencies. The Department of the Interior is authority for the statement that ninety thousand or more soldiers alone desire farms. Many states in the union-especially the Western statesare taking hold of this matter in a large way, and in some instances where they could not make immediate appropriations, have issued bonds. ]'or example: Washington has appropriated $260,000.00 and authorized a $5,000,000.00 bond issue; Idaho has appropriated $100,000.00; Montana, $50,000.00; North Dakota, $200,000.00; South Dakota has made immediately available $100,000.00 and authorized $1,000,000.00 bond issue; Wyoming allotted $200,000.00; New M-exico $400,000.00; and Missouri $10,000.00, and $1,000,000.00 bond issue. The following states have authorized large bond issues: Oregon, $3,000,000.00 and Nevada $1,000,000.00.
Georgia's financial condition will, of course, forbid any appropriation being made for this purpose, but at least some law should be passed which would allow
12

cooperation through private initiative, which I am informed is permissible under the federal law.
INSURANCE.
Georgia is paying out too much money in insurance premiums. From 1914 to 1918, inclusive, it has paid $96,382.90. 1'he losses during that time have been very small in comparison with the premiums paid. The State should carry its own insurance, except probably on the Capitol Building.
Other states have inaugurated plans under which this large expense is saved, and Georgia should do likewise.
OYSTER LANDS.
The State of Georgia owns a large area under water, from which, if the proper laws protecting shell fish were passed, some considerable revenue could be realized. Other states derive revenue in this way. For example: last year Louisiana received $83,000.00 and Virginia $150,000.00.
If proper laws are passed, Georgia not only would receive a substantial revenue direct from the lands, but the enactment of such laws would also give aid and encouragement to this industry.
l?OR PRESERVATION OF RECORDS IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.
Your attention is directed to the need of making provision for the safe keeping of valuable records in the office of the Secretary of State. The reports of Hon. Phil Cook, when Secretary of State, stress the need of legislation for this purpose. Hon. S. G. Mc-
13

Lendon, the present Secretary of State, in communication of recent date, says:
"The State of Georgia contains in round numbers about thirty-seven and one-half million acres, valued on the tax books of 1918 at $569,394,457.00. Initial evidence of title to this imperial domain is found in, and only found in, books of original entry in .this office. These books of original entry contain the evidence of; title beginning with grants made by George II., George III. and the State of Georgia after Independence.
"It would be impossible to estimate the money value of these books of original entry. All these records covering the entire State should be reproduced photographically, the originals should be placed in an indestructible vault and the photographic copies used in this office. Furnishing as these records do, a starting point for all land titles in Georgia, they are subject to investigation daily at the instance of land-owners in this State."
'' I earnestly recommend that you invite the attention of the Legislature to this situation with such suggestions and recommendations as you may. think important, and strongly urge that this work of reproduction and preservation should be commenced without delay, and I think it would be wise for the General Assembly to clothe you with ample power to proceed with this work.'' I strongly recommend the advisability of the matter, to which reference is made, being given immediate consideration.
14

CONCLUSION.
In my Messages to the General Assembly of J uiy 25, 1917, and July 3, 1918, certain recommendations were made to your predecessors, to which I desire briefly to call special attention:
First.
Georgia needs a .Qepartment of Charities and Corrections, or Board of Social Welfare. ( See Senate Journal, 1917, page 511, House Journal 1917, page 666; Senate Journal 1918, page 40, House Journal 1918, page 101.) Such a Board should, in addition to the duties referred to in previous messages, have visitorial powers over private orphanages, and, to a certain extent, regulatory authority. Recent disclosures of most extreme cruelty to children in one of such institutions in: this State abundantly shows the need of this law.
Second.
Your attention is also called to the advisability of enacting a law in aid of the sheep industry. (Senate Journal 1917, page 502; House Journal 1917, page 657.)
Third.
I recommend that the resolution now pending authorizing the employment of counsel for the purpose of obtaining an equalization of the public lands allotted to the States by the United States Government be passed. (Senate Journal
15

1918, page 45; House Journal 1918, page 107; and also in Message of Governor N. E. Harris, in his Message to the General Assembly of July 11, 1916.)
Respectfully submitted, Governor.
16