The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-02-02
SYNOPSIS OF WORK OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE PASSES CROSSON HIGH
WAY BILL.
Will Place Engineer in Charge Of
Road Work-Civi Engineer
Provided.

The Crosson bill to create State
highway commission passed the sea-
ate Tuesday by vote Of 20 to II.
The bill has attracted Statewide at
tention and was generally discussed
in the senate. Dr. W. L. Page, di-
rector Of United States Office Of public
roads, praised the measure in unstint-
ed terms as being the best bill for the
promotion and betterment Of public
highways that he had yet seen In tie
United States. He, some time, ago,
lectured before the senate and to the
house on the subject Of Good Roads"
and there discussed the merits OF the
measure. .-:a:
This bill was introduced in the sen
ate January II, 1911, and has BEEN
on the senate calendar since. 1t has;
been debated, discussed and amended,
but it goes to the house in almost dts
| original form. There was an amend-'
ment adopted providing that two
thirds of the money derived from the
licensing of automobiles will remain
in the county treasury Of the re- !;
spective counties In which such I-E
censes are collected. The other one
third will go to the highway commits :
sion for its maintenance.
Vote on Measure.
The vote on the passage Of the bill
was as follows:
Yeas-Ackerman, Appel, Bates,
Christensen, Clifton, Crosson, Earle,
Hough, Alan >Johnstone, T. ]. Maui
din, McCown, Rainsford, sinkler, Spi-
vey, Stewart, Summers, Waller, Wes-
ton, Wharton, Young-20.
Nays-Black, Carlisle, Epps. Green,
Hail. Laney, Lawson, Manning, Mars,
Montgomery, Strait, stuckey-12.
Senator Hardin and Senator W. L.
Mauldin paired.
The bill provides that the State
highway commission shall have charge
of all the laws now in existence and
those hereafter promulgated relating
to highways, ferries, etc. s..
The chief officer of the department
will be competent civil engineer,
who shall be thoroughly skilled in
road construction and all it's allied
branches. He shall hold Office fol.
two years and his annual salary will
be $2,500, to be paid In monthly in
stallments. The commissioner will.
be appointed by the governor on the
recommendation of the heads of the
departments Of civil engineering Of
the University of South Carolina,
Clemson and the Citadel, who shall act
! in an advisory capacity to the State
engineer when in their judgment it
is necessary or when he requires it.
The members will serve without re-
muneration, except travelling or 9TH
er necessary expenses. The State
highway commissioner will be requir-
| ed to take the oath required of other
State officers, and will also be requir-
ed to furnish bond in the sum Of $10,-
900, the sureties of which shall have
been approved by the State treasurer.
Automobiles Taxed.
All expenses of the department will
be paid out Of one-third of moneys
collected from the licenses of automo-
biles in the different counties. The
State highway commissioner is au-
thorized to hire such help as is neces-
sary, for the proper conduct Of the
department, but at an annual stipend
not to exceed $4,000 year. He is to
keep on file in his Office all reports
made and statistics collected during
the year, and is also to make an an
nual report to the general assembly
| through the governor.
On the request of the properly con-
stituted authorities of the county, it
will be the duty OF the highway CON-
missioner to make and give such spe-
cifcations and estimates as are neces-
sary. Also he is to give expert ad-
vice and assistance on all questions
pertaining to highways and bridges
"He shall make such investigation as
shall be deemed expedient in order
to connect under one general system
the roads Of the various counties Of
the State by means of ferries, brides =