The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-02-03

mittee Of the house will be 6ne of the
most Important steps ever taken by
a general assembly in this State.
A bill will be introduced In the
house requiring the listing Of all prop
srty In, the State by the tax commits
sion. Another bill requires a survey
Of the state.
Figures submitted to the ways and
means committee show that about
S20.0o0,0e0 worth of land is now es-
Gaping taxation in South Carolina.
n;the above plan is carried out the
State tax levy win be reduced and ev-
cry one Of the States obligations will
be met. The demands are heavy just
now On the State government and
something Of a definite nature must BE-
done at once.
The plan has been discussed at a
series Of conferences held In Colum-
bia. The members of the ways and
means committee. members of the
senate finance committee, Gov. Man
ming, members of the State tax COM
mission and others have attended
these conferences when the plans for
increasing the States income were
discussed.
Now the step Is about to be taken
and great results are looked for by all.
= Columbia. jan. 31.--E. w. James.
general Inspector. eastern department.
United States ofiicc Of public roads,
to In Columbia to confer with mesa-
bsrs Of the legislature concerning
such legislation as will enable South
Carolina to share In the federal ap-
preparation for the construction and
maintenance, Of public highways. Sew
eral bills have been introduced In the
legislature and hearing was held
yesterday before the house commit.
tee on roads and bridges when the
federal good roads act was explained
by Mr.. James.
1T South Carolina is to share IN
the federal appropriation IL is abso-
lutsly necessary that state highway
department. be established. provided
with the necessary funds" said Mr..
James. The federal good roads act
was approved July IL Of last year and
II South Carolina h to share in the j
funds provision must be made at this
session Of the general assembly.
Under the terms Of the act the fed
eral government viii furnish dollar
for dollar with the state sovernment.
The amount available this year Is
$71.ooo. Each year $4,000 addi.
tional VIII 30 available. If the nsc-
&ssafy lsgialgtAoa = s4optsd the total
80
~ }yotsssnas>szt tsftI1.1 DE MT 0vs
.yJArs ws1 ~ s1.s71. .see. The state
would be required to stvs = like
amount.
Plans for now highways would have
to be approved by the State highway
department and the secretary Of agri-
culture.
Columbia. Jan. 31.-The ways and
means committee Of the house We'd
nesday morning gave q favorable re-
port to the administration bill pro.
viding for . commission on efiiciency
and economy. This measure Is the
first step toward O budget system for
South Carolina.
The house passed the bill making
the legal rate Of interest for South
Carolina six per cent. per annum and
the contract rate per cent. and sent
1t to the senate. The finance COM
mittee OF the senate last night report
ed q companion bill unfavorably.
Columbia, Feb. 1.-The ways and
means committee today introduced in
the house a bill providing for COM
plete survey Of the State in an effort
to get property on the books that has
escaped paying taxes for years. This
measure is favored by the admins
tration and its enactment will result
In much additional revenue to the
State and the probable future reduc-
ton Of the annual levy.
The bill introduced by Messrs. Ford
and Rector providing for an appro-
priation of 100000 for the aid of
needy rural schools was sent to the
senate.
The Perry State highway bill was
made q special order for tomorrow
at 11:15 A. M.
Tho seven fire insurance bills re-
portad Soyoro hl,, ~. 49, h~~a.,~ a