The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-03-21
= Legislators, However, If On.
posed to Extra Session Be-
lieye Law Would Pass.
PEOPLE ARE DISAPPOINTED
A COmpOsium of Views Ex-
pressed BY Members General
Assembly in Answer to Query
of Houses Chief Clerk.

whether or not an extra session OF
the General assembly viii be called
this spring or summer will depend
on the attitude of Governor Cooper.
Ihe chief executive has said there
must not only he n demand for an
extra session, but also assurance
that GOOD roads legislation will be
enacted
TO get the view of the members
or the lower house, on whose shoul-
ders the responsibility for failure
to enact good roads legislation rests.
j. Wilson Gibhcs clerk Of the house
has assembled n "straw vote
While the majority sentiment is not
in favor of an extra session, the
members by a wide margin express
themselves of the opinion that good
roads legislation would be enacted.
were the general assembly called
back in session.
Most OF the members EXPRESS
themselves definitely. There is lit
tie hedging or lodging OF the main
issue. Usually the members are
frank in the opinion as to the ex-
pediency OF an extra session and
some OF them take no pains to con-
ceal the fact that their constituents
have mercilessly applied the lash of
condemnation for failure to act last
month.
Reasons for Failure.
There is also frankness OF opin-
Ion as to the reasons for failure to
get action. The main reason cited is
lack OF statewide vision; the ina
bility to see beyond the confines of
the particular county represented.
ly township or school district repre-
sentatives can be readily proven bv
an examination Of the bulk OF acts
last session. Among the 343 acts
passed, in round numbers a dozen or
one in every 25 is Statewide in char
acter. Few statewide bills can be
gotten through without strenuous
fighting to have certain counties ex-
empted. which tendency has so fea-
tured the legislation of the last de-
cade that at the recent session
the general assembly a resolution
was accepted to have an investiga-
tion made OF al statutes thus nulli-
fed by county exemptions.
The rush for time in the closing
hours is viewed by others as con-
tributory to the failure. Unwise.
leadership is cited by others. while
still others enter the plea OF some
vicious quality OF each bill intro
duced. One gathers from reading
the various views. however, that the
bill which the senate sent back to
the house, for one mill general
property tax levy and automobile
license, would stand much better
chance OF passing now than when
its consideration was postponed last
month until next year. in lodging
the issue and refusing TO take the
customary vote on accepting the
amendment and allowing the bill TO
go to free conference.
Nearly 100000 OF federal aid
has been apportioned to South Caro-
lima for permanent improvements.
or this amount. more than 80 500.-
600 Is available by July OF the
current year. Though 13 counties
have bond issues or will vote on the
question soon. It will be impossible
for the highway commission to gain
from these counties sufficient pledge
for permanent projects to absorb all
this federal aid. and in consequence
much OF the money Will likely revert
to the United States treasury.
The following is a symposium OF
the views expressed:
Members Give Views.
Anderson, Florence: Does not
think extra session necessary. but
is OF the opinion the members would
get together. The time he suggests
for an extra session is May 1.
J. b. Atkinson, Spartanburg: In
favor of an extra session, and sub
sests July as the proper time He
would support any bill meeting the
favor OF the majority.
n n Atkinson Chester. Onposed