The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-01-11
GOOD ROADS
MEETING HELD
Legislature Will Be Asked to
Increase License Tax on
Automobiles.
BOND ISSUE PLAN is
ABANDONED FOR PRESENT

AnnuaI FUND of Two Million
for Highway Improvement.
Columbia, Jan. e.-Following an all
dav conference with the State high
way commission, a program of legis-
lation to be asked at the approaching
session of the general assembly was
agreed upon last night by the State
GOOD Roads campaign committee
The program does not call for the
passage at the approaching session
of the general assembly of an en-
abing act for bond issue, but asks
for legislation looking to the passage
of such an act at the 1920 session.
A change in the present highway
commission so as to include one from
each congressional district, 20 be ap-
pointed by the governor and the
three senior professors Of civil engi-
neering at the University Of South
Carolina, the Ci+adel and Clemson
College will be asked. This commits
sion, under the proposed new leglsla-
ton. would be given the right TO
appoint and fix the compensation OF
its engineers and employees, and the
power to lay out, construct. regulate
and maintain a system OF State high
ways. connecting every county seat,
such highways to be 50 constructed
and surfaced as to take care OF the
traffic which may be developed upon
them.
This commission would also be in
structed to investigate the cost Of
construction of such a system Of
highways and to report to the next
session Of the legislature what State
bonds would be necessary therefor.
necessary for the retirement thereof,
after providing for proper mainten-
ance of the said highway.
The legislature will also be asked
to pass such acts as will enable the
counties of the State to issue bonds
during 1919 and thereafter for the
construction of highways within their
county lines Provision would also
be made for the return to any ccun-
ty, which constructs any portion OF
a State highway system as laid out
bv the commission under its supervls-
ion. the cost of said highways; or.
in the event of a provision being mace
whereby counties contribute in any
way to the construction Of the high
way system, such portion Of this cost
as such county would in that event
be entitled to-.
The legislature will be asked to
raise the annual license tax, beginning
with 1920 on motor vehicles to 81 per
horse power for automobiles and mo-
torcyc!es End 81 per horse power for
motor trucks and the license fol. deal
ers to $50 for each make Of car han
died. and to fix the license of trailers
at $40.
r. G. Rhett of Charleston was
elected chairman for the central cam
paign committee John T. Stevens of
Kershaw was elected vice chairman,
and Frank E. Brodnax Of Columbia.
secretary and treasurer. w. Fred
,L:ghtsey. State senator-elect from
Hampton county, has been chosen as
the representative on the committee
from the Second congressional district
and Victor n Montgomery Of Spar
.anburg has been named representa-
tive on the committee from the
Fourth district in the place Of ]. w.
Norwood of Greenviile, who was un-
able to serve because Of the pressure
of business Other members Of the
committee are Mr.. Rhett from the
First district: James n. Pearman Of
Anderson. from the Third district;
John T. stevens of Kershaw, from the
Fifth; D. W. Alderman. Jr.. Of Flor
ence from the Sixth and Frank E.
Brodnax of Columbia from the
Seventh. All of the members Of the
committee were present yesterday ex-
cept Mr. Montgomery. Major r. G..
Thomas was the only member Of the
State highway commission absent.
The central campaign committee
decided that inasmuch as no bond is
sue could be ratified until November,
1920, the best course would be to first
definitely map out system of high
ways and have as much Of the sys-
tenn as is practicable taken over and
maintained in good condition The
highway commission will be expected
to visit each county and hold hear
ings at which the people will be Civ
en- an opportunity to discuss in detail
the system as it applies to each coun-
tv.
A number Of interested citizens
were present at the conference yester
day besides the members Of the two
commissions. O. p. a. lis. L. NJ
Slattery. G.. w Cofield and F. NJ.
Burnett came down from Greenville.
r. z. Grabel Of Anderson and r. A.
Wilson of Rock Hill.
THE need Of system of State
highways in South Carolina connect
ing all Of its county seats. under the
care of State highway commission.
has become apparent to every one.
The cost oe constructing and prop
crly surfacing such highway system
mounts into many millions Of dollars:
but the average saving to each auto
in, 0ocoJSna