The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-02-20

DOyO, OIL SpdrlduUuTS, w. -. ->euHei,
Of Abbeville, and Oscar X. Mauldln, o.
Greenville Speaker Hoyt stated las,
night, when he appointed the COM
mittee on the part OF the house, that
the usual course would be to name
MIR. w. R. Richey, Jr., of Laurens,
on the committee, Mr.. Richey being
the author of the original "bone-dry'
measure in the house, but that Nj.
Richey had asked to be excused from
service upon the committee.
The free conference committee VIII
now have to tackle the entire liquor
proposition If they cannot reach an
agreement, the law will stand as IT.
is. If they do reach an agreement.
and their report is adopted by ooth
houses, it will mean that SIX men have
legis!ated for the State upon this vi
tally important proposition. Tie dis
position at this time seems to be to
effect some compromise acceptable to
the rival forces 1t may be done or IL
may not Nobody knows. 1t now ap-
pears, however, that absolute bone
dry" prohibition is dead, so far as
this session is concerned.
1t is probable that five of the sew
en- insurance measure proposed by
the special commission appointed by
Governor Manning to recommend q.
revision of the insurance laws OF the
state, will get through. Two OF then
have been killed in the senate. the
two bills which have gone to the leg
is!ative cemetery are those provld-
ing for repeal of the present "yal-
ued policy law and to prescribe the
requirements for the licensing of in
surance agents.
Among the most important meas
ures which have passed both houses
is the bill to establish a..State high
way commission There was mass
of proposed legislation along this
line. The house finally appointed a
select commi. tee to consider the whole
matter. and to report some measure,
if possible, which would coordinate
the various measures pending. The
report OF this committee, embodylns
the principal features OF the ". L..
McCutchen measure, has been adopted
both by the house and the senate,
and ordered enrolled for ratification.
1t provides for commission to be
composed Of the senior professors OF
engineering OF the South Carolina un-
iversity, Clemson and the Citadel. TO-
gether with the commissioner Of agrl-
culture and one other member to De
appointed by the governor for term
OF two years. A State highway en-
gineer, with assistants, is to be chos-
en-. The revenue will be derived from
a tax upon automobile owners and
dealers. The tax upon owners Is
fixed at twenty-five cents per horse
power of the machine, and dealers
will be required to pay an annual IL
cense Of SIS for each make of motor
vehicle handled. The measure seeks
to take advantage Of the federal ap'
propriation to the various States.
which has been held up, SO far as
South Carolina is concerned. on ac-
count of lack of highway laws nee
essary to meet the requirements OF
the act Of congress.
The Columbia canal measure is IN
free conference, and the committee
Will proba bly, report to the senate ana
house tomorrow morning. This is an
other Of the very important measures
which has passed at this session. Inc
bill to require the completion OF the
canal or reversion of the property
to the State was originally introduc-
ed in the senate by Senator Banks, OF
Calhoun county, and in the mouse Dy
MIR. T. P. Cothran, Of GreenTille. the
senate substituted for the Banks
measure an almost similar bill pro-
posed by Senator T. II. ketchin, OF
Fairfield, which required that WORK
upon the completion of the canal
be commenced within ninety days anu
concluded within eighteen months,
and directing the attorney general to
bring suit to revert the property to
the State in case of failure OF those
now in control of it to comply with
Ale provisions of the bill. The SEN
ate bill passed by that body went over
to the house, where it was passed
with several amendments, the most
important of which would authorize
the special committe appointed to ad-
wise with the attorney general, to
enter into an agreement, within the
ninety days allowed for the beginning
of the completion" with those now
controlling the property, under which
agreement the whole matter would ba
held in allegiance until the next ses"
sion of the general assembly, at which
time the contract between the parties
would come up for ratification by the
legislature, the agreement being made
subject to the approval Of the gener-
al assembly. The committee deslg-
mated to advise with the attorney gen.
eral would be composed of the chair
men of the judiciary committees OF
the senate and the house and the