The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-03
NEW STATE BUILD
ING ADVOCAIION
Recommended State Construct
Million Dollar Building to
Contain Many Offices

Columbia, Dec. 2s.-An effort will
be made to have the neNt general Is
sembiy. meeting here January 133. 20
vide for the erection Of a million doll
lar building in which can be perma-
nently housed agricultural and in
dustMal exhibits of South Carolina and
where Offices, bureaus. laboratories
other agencies of the State govern
ment now outside the State capitol
building and which have not pernla-
nent quarters can be placed. A bill
providing for this has been prepared
by the department OF agriculture
commerce and industries and Will be
introduced in the legislature by the
agricultural committees Of the TITO
houses
The measure provides that the
State sinking fund commission viii
lend s1,000,00o to the commission in
charge of the CONSTRUCTION Of the
building which is to be paid for dur
ing a period OF years With adequate
interest. The department Of agricul-
ture, commerce and industries is to
pay into the sinking fund commits
excess Of the running expenses Of the
department ari: the various depart
ments moving into the building are TO
pay the same commission a sum TO
equal their present rents until the
principal and interest are liquidated.
Commissioner Harris, in his report
to the general assembly, estimates
that the department. of agriculture,
commerce and industries can pay an
annual minimum OF $4,000 to the
sinking fund commission and that
the present rental of State Offices ag-
gregates $37 600 paid TO various real
tg concerns in Columbia.
The bill names Governor Cooper,
Commissioner 3. Harris, of the de-
partment of agriculture. commerce
and industries; ". Banks Dove, Sec
retary OF State and eX-oficio custo-
dian of the State house and property:
j. Roy Pennell. State highway engi-
neer, and DR.. w. W. Long, director OF
extension work at Clemson College,
and their successors. as the commits
sion in charge of the proposed build
ing.
partments are housed in buildings in
the city Of Columbia, and three OF
them have temporary offices in leSis-
lative committee rooms in the State
house, and will have to move when the
general assembly convenes. Those
having their Offices in the city of Co
lunlbia outside the State capitol are
the State bank examiner. chief game
warden. State Board Of Health, State
Highway Commission. insurance de-
partment, railroad commissioners, tan
commission and warehouse commits |
sionef The pension commissioner.
secretary of the printing committee
and the budget commission occupy |
legislative committee rooms. In adj
diticn.4 the State Board Of Health,s
laboratories and its bureau OF vital !
satisfies and the laboratories of The |
department Of agriculture. commerce
and industries are housed at the Uni
yersity of South Carolina. which, ac-
.cording TO Commissioner Harris re-
port, have demanded this space be-
cause of the growing needs of the in
stitution.
Commissioner Harris suggests IN
his report that the building be con-
structed and that all these agencies
and departments and their bureaus
be concentrated in it. In addition.
that the extension department al
Clemson College be moved to Colum-
bia. but still remain under the dlrec-
ton of the board Of trustees. he rec
ommends that various agencies work
inc in conjunction with the State be
allowed to, have their Offices in the
proposed building.