The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-03-08
GENERAL HIGHWAY
ACT IS APPROVED
Will Become a Law When Signed
By the Governor-Provisions
of Bill-Short term Notes
Can be Issued For Road
Purposes

Columbia, March 6.-(Special) -
Carrying a special two-mill levy, pro-
ividing for county system Of high
ways to be connected into a State
system, remodeling the personnel of
the commission and dividing the au-
thority in the department between a
secretary and a chief engineer, the
general highway act has been ap-
proved by both houses of the general
Assembly, the report of the confer
ence has been adoptd and the only
thing necessary for it to become a
law is its ratification and approval
by the Governor, which will happen
in the next few days.
The new commission will consist Of
seven members, one from each of the
congressional districts, to be appoint
ed by the Governor. The commission
is to elect secretary at an annual
salary to $4,000 who will not be a
member of the commission, and
State highway engineer, whose year.
ly compensation is to be decided up
on by the commission. The secre.
tary is to be the executive officer OF
the department and the highway Ell
Igineer the technical expert in charge
ioif the road construction and main
Itenance. Both are authorized to en-
Iploy such assistants and clerical help
as are necessary for hte conduct of
the activity.
After January l, Of next year, the
license tax proposed is based on ton
mage of automobiles and trucks For
every automobile of 1000 pounds
or under license of Sc is to be paid.
and for each additional $500 pounds
or fraction thereof an extra So. One
ton trucks and under have to pay
AN annual license Of SIS; two tons
and over one tone $50; three tons
and over two tons, $50; four tons and
over three tons, S100; five tons and
over four tons, 5000; six tons and
over five tons, $3.50; exceeding six
tons, $3.50. A reduction of 25 per
cent is allowed each truck using
pneumatic tires. To operate a truck
exceeding four tons, the consent Of
the county authorities, to be approx
ed by the State highway engineer,
must be obtained before they can be
run on specific roads, and then OBJ
tanned they can be operated on no
other road than those designated.
Lumber trailers are taxed SIS each
and an additional 50 for every thou
isand-pound or part thereof load on
these trailers. Motorcycles are tax
at SO. Dealers licenses are placed
at SIS for the first make of motor
driven vehicle sold and SIS for ev-
cry other make handled.
The proceeds Of the two mill levy
lis to be retained by the counties from
which it originates and 80 per cent
of the license tax is to 60 to the coun-
ties in which it is collected. In the
issuance of licenses, the highway de-
partment is instructed OF furnish the
clerks of court Of the various coun-
ties sufficient planks for the applica-
! tion Of licenses to be made by the
people of the counties.
In addition to the general road law
bills have been introduced into the
general assembly for the issuance of
bonds or short term notes for road
purposes in 29 out of the 46 coun-
ties. In only eight of these are elec-
tions to be held on the question. They
are Abbeville. Allendale, Charleston,
Edgefield, Lee, Mccormick, Newber-
Try. Richland and Sumter. In three
iof the counties elections will be held
If PARTON of the freeholders petit
!tion for it, otherwise the bonds will
be ISSUED.