The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-02-15
SENATE ADOPTS SiNkLER-BRlcE
ROAD MEASURE.-iNVESTl.
GATE PRISON LOSS.
D0INGS OF THE LEGISLATORS
summary Of the important Bills That
Assembly During the Past Week.
Columbia.

The Smkler-l,rice highway commits
sion Dill was passed in the senate and
the companion automobile license bill,
"nlch Is TO enable the state to qualify
for federal aid in post road construc-
non. is expected to get through the
upper house with Dispatch No oppo.
, sitiOn was offered TO the prospect OF
creating highway commission. as
federal aid was contingent upon state
vide organization. The only points at
issue were different ideas as to cen
tralization of power for expenditure Of
funds with the commission or to dele.
gate this authority to county govern.
ments. The latter opinion finally pre-
vailed
Representative Berry. author Of the
Berry highway commission bill, spoke
for more than an hour in the house
OH his measure. The bill would en-
able South Carolina to take advantage
of federal aid for good roads.
Provisions of the bill are that com
mission of seven members shall be ap-
pointed by the governor. one from
each congressional district The com.
officio chairman. Members serve
without compensation. y state high
way engineer is to be employed, who
shall not be paid more than $4,000 and
provision is also made for other as
sistants. An amendment would re-
Quire complete classification Of
roads, to be reported TO the general
assembly one wear hence
BY federal statute. South Carolina
this year is entitled to $143000 fed
eral aid for post road building this
year. Approximately Sl.2OO.000 will
be apportioned to South Carolina, to
be spent during lapse of five years
contingent upon the states raising suf-
ticient funds to qualify for national
aid. State funds would be raised
through automobile license. BY the
original draft Of the Sinkler.Brice bill,
automobiles of 25 horsepower or less
! would be required TO pay state H.
| ccnse fee Of IS; for % to so horse
! power. $3.50; over 80 horsepower, $40;
motorcycles. 81. Motors registered af-
ter September l, onehalf annual fee.
Gov Manning referred to the gen
cral assembly. by special message, the
correspondence in his hands relating
to an apparent shortage in the Gc-
counts Of the state penitcntiary. which
shortage arises from the fact that
'unds Of the state prison. i'll the sun
$22,S1961 were on deposit in the
.,xington Savings bank when that in
stitution failed and these funds re-
main tied up in bankruptcy. The de-
post being carried on memorandum
in the books of see penitentiary pcn.-
ing adjustment OF the liability con
cerning them. No in;mation is made
to reflect on the motives OF the reti--
ing superintendent. Capt ID. j. Grit
fifth
The house adopted a resolution in
troduced by Representative Crum OF
Orangeburg providing for an investi-
cation of The matter.
House Passes Richey Bill.
The house passed the buck" to the
senate when ii sent over the Richey
bill in all its bone dryness. Ga to 40.
The bill seesawed In sentiment AMI
wandered hither and thither about the
house with its destination more than
once uncertain.
1t created spirited debate on sec
ond reading. but went through slick
as whistle, 80 to 81. The majority
then was such that there seemed
likelihood Of overriding possible
veto. 1t lay calmly until third read.
ing. when the house sprung surprise
reversing itself, and recommitting the
bill. This was thought to be All ideh-
mite delay but the committee on po.
lice regulations got busy. and meeting
while the house was in session, re.
turned it in its original form. thus
eliminating the amendments applied
which made the bill water proof, air
tight and bone dry. including a pro
vision which made 1t unlawful to
have even one drop in possession, ex
cept for medicinal sacramental or
scientific purposes. There followed a
filbuster. Then the house refused to
recommit the bill to the judiciary
committee, and refused to allow the
bill to remain In its original form,
hus indorsing the bill as it passed It's
second reading In this form it was
sent to the upper house.
Senator Purdy Of Jasper county in
troduced bill calling for graduated
license tax OH fish and game pre-.
serves. No tax Is collected on the
first 5000 acres. A levy of cents
an acre will be made on all preserves
containing from 5000 to 10000 acres:
cents from 10000 to $4,000; and $
cents on all above $4,000 acres.
A majority favorable report has
been made on the bill by Representa-
tive N G. EYans to raliaye the Am1u.