Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-12-28
FIGHT ONTAN law
BILL TO BE FILED 81 REPREsEN
TATlVE RHODES OF KINDS
COUNTY.
State Tax Equalization Board Will
Come In For Hard Fight For Exist.
snee In Early Days of Coming SEES
sion Of soIons-New System.

sion Of Solons-New System.
which are going to project themselves
into the 1918 session of the Missis
sippi legislature is what to do with the
| state tax equalization board. Both the
law itself and the method OF its ad
minlstration are declared to be faulty
and from all corners OF the state come
waves Of protest against the act and
against the power that 1t vests in the
men who are entrusted to administer
It's provisions. While the supporters
Of the measure and the new system
which it represents are strongly en-
| trenched, and protest is made to let
1t alone until 1t has had a sufficiently
demOnstrative trial, the fact remains
that it is going to be attacked early
in the session.
Representative Sivley Rhodes OF
Kinds county has drafted a bill which
he will introduce at the proper time
| for outright repeal of this statute. Mr..
Rhodes will base his attack on the
following assumptions:
THAT the scheme worked out by
chapter SO has failed to reach the tax
dodgers OF the state.
THAT the purpose OF the law was to
equalize taxes as between the coun.
ties, but the scheme has been a fail
ure.
THAT taxes should be equalized first
within each county; after that, be.
tween the counties of the state. In
creating this board the plan has work.
ed out backwards.
THE plan worked out by the board
has not been a success, for the reason
that the honest taxpayer, who has
heretofore paid his just proportion OF
the taxes, has been forced to pay ad.
ditional taxes, and therefore, to as
sumo an unjust and ineQuitable bur
den.
THAT the creation of the tax board
by the legislature was merely an ex-
pertinent, which has proved a failure.
We should abolish it and work out
some other plan"
Prison Board Holds Session.
All three of the pe~nitentiary trus.
tees attended the adjourned session
at headquarters, pursuant to action
taken at tie regular monthly meeting
held Dec. 4 In order to receive the ros-
ter of appointments OF field officers
by Supt. O'Keefe, for the year begin
ming Jan. l.. 1t was understood that
there would be very few changes in
the present staff, who have proven
very efficient.
Incidentally. during their official
visit the members Of the board paid
into the treasury the sum of $47, 1886. IS,
which was on account Of prejudice sold
and delivered, principally cotton seed.
This made a total Of $~329,177.22 col
lected and paid into the treasury so
far from the present seasons opera
tons, and leaves a balance outstand-
ing due the state of between $3.50, 900
and $500, 900.
AS stated by President l.. @, Stone,
it is not likely that they will attempt
to sell any more produce until after
the holidays, owing to the difficulty
experienced in getting cars for deliv.
cry after sales are consummated.
Major Bridges Fuel Saving Order.
Mayor r. c. Bridges, fuel admins.
traitor for Oktlbbeha county, has is
sued the following stringent and dras-
tic order to the people of the city:
by order of the fuel administrator
the water and light plant must be op-
Grated on a minimum amount of coal
to conserve available supply, and use
less waste Of water and lights must be
cut out to say coal. All patrons Of
plant on meter OF flat rate must keep
cut off in order and when faucets are
found leaking or turned on to prevent
freezing service will be cut out with.
out notice This is a drastic step to
take, but the situation is a serious one
and requires immediate action. Be pa.
triotic and help in the grave danger
of useless loss Of water for domestic
purposes and for fire protection-and
1t is good citizenship to report to the
officers the useless waste of water and
lights"
Answer Call To Training Camps.
Examinations in Mississippi College
started the 18th instant, and close on
the following Friday, at which time
the school will be suspended for the
holidays. The work will be resumed
on Jan. 1, 1918. While the attendance
has been small this session. the au.
thorities report much enthusiasm on
the part of the students in the work
assigned. The general spirit Of the
student body has been fine. The col.
lege has made a very large contribu.
ton to the army, and some are now
answering the call to the training
camps.
War Work For Mayor.
Mayor Chas. +. Heuck. mayor Of
nnnnLhaunn retmrned from Atlanta