The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-02
THE 1918 TAX ASSESSMENT.
INSTITUTIONS FROM TAX COM.
MISSION TO AUDITORS COW
ER ALL TAXABLE PROP.
ERTY.
Chairman Jones Shows the Great In
justice OF Inequalities Now Existing

NViutupid, DeC. Zo.-lnStruCtlOnS
were issued today by the South Car
olina tax commission to tho auditors
OF the several counties of the State
and the chairmen of the boards of as
SCISSORS throughout South Carolina to
assess so per centum OF the real val
ue of all the taxable property IN
South Carolina in 1918. The instruc-
tions were the result Of the confer
ence held by the taS commissioners
with the auditors and tax assessors
of tho various counties. who were in
session here last night and today dis
cussing the various phases of the tax
situation in this State.
Adopting the recommendation OF
Governor Manning, made in the
course OF his speech before the tax
officials last night, the commission
also decided TO memOrialize tho leg
islature to FIX IA flexible levy" in the
next appropriation bill. Should the
assessment of 80 per centum raise
more money than appropriated for
the needs of the State by the next
general assembly. then the officer
designated by the legislature can re-
duce but not increase the levy, II
the flexible levy" recommendation is
adopted.
Il
John p Derham, a member Of the
tax commission, today urged upon the
county auditors and tax assessors of
the State to do their bit" by en-
deavoring to secure a true and honest
valuation Of the taxable property OF
the State and thereby make the
plan instructed by the commission a
success. Out Of the various discus
sions entered into was CLEANED the
fact that there was nothing like an
equality OF assessment throughout the
State. particularly on real estate; and
that thousands Of acres are not re-
turned at all.
Some plan of equalization was ask
cd for by Auditors w. Y. Smith. Of
Anderson: }. 8. Mckenzie. of Flor
ence. and Bl N. Richardson. Of An
derson. for their respective counties.
In speeches depicting the tax prob
lens they had to confront.
! Describing the relation Of the coun-
ty auditor to the tax commission. e
p. Wilson. secretary Of the commits
sion. asked for the cooperation OF
the cpunty officials.
Various phases of the law bearing
on the tax commission and the &C,
creating that body were dealt with by
w. III. Townsend. an attorney Of the
Columbia bar. who assisted the Office
or the attorney general in litigation
against the tax commission. That
South Carolina should not fall into
the condition OF Kentucky. where sc
much trouble has been experienced ir
tax matters. Mr.. Townsend urged the
adoption of some uniform plan OF
equalization for this State.
Junius r. Lilies. OF Orengeburg
chairman Of the ways and means
committee of the house. urged upor
the county auditors and assessors
present here today to devise some
method Of equalization to lift the ''tay
burden" as 1t is so frequently called
He pledged his support as member
OF the general assembly to anytime
which could be done to remedy con-
ditions in South Carolina.
Various other members Of the con.
ference expressed themselves on the
tax situation and the consensus OF
opinion seemed to be that the method
instructed by the tax commission was
the most feasible that could be de.
vised at this time. The gathering be.
fore adjourning this afternoon plcdg.
ed its cooperation in the carrying out
nc he L..