Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1920-03-10

The resolution by Senator Chris
tensen for a joint committee from
the two houses to study the state tax
problems and needed legislation and
to report back next session with rec
commended measures was passed af-
ter considerable debate in the house
Saturday. Expenses are limited to
$1,000. The president of the senate
appointed on this committee: Sena-
tor Christensen of Beaufort, Senator
Laney of Chesterfield and Senator
Marion of Chester. House members
are: Berry of orangeburg, ]. B. At
kinson of Spartanburg, Lide of Mar
ion and Buckingham of Aiken. The
following are the provisions of the
Christensen resolution:
"Whereas, it has been found neces
sary, in order to meet the legitimate
needs of the state under present
economic conditions, large to in
crease the tax levy for general pur-
poses, and in addition thereto to levy
a special tax for road purposes; and,
Whereas, these increases tend to
accentuate and aggravate existing in
equalities in the assessment of prop
erty for taxation as between individ-
uals, thereby adding heavily to the
burdens of the honesty taxpayers;
and.
Some Escaping Taxation.
Whereas, it is matter of COM
mon knowledge that considerable
proportion of the taxable property
of the state is now escaping taxation
and, that methods and sources of
raising revenue now generally re-
sorted to by other states are not in
use in this state; and,
"Whereas, it is believed that wisely
considered changes in our laws that
would tend to rectify these condi-
tions are of vital Importance to the
people of this state; therefore,
ssBe it further resolved, That
joint committee, composed of three
members of the senate, to be desig-
mated by the president of the SEN
ate, and four members of the house
of representatives to be designated
by the speaker of the house, be ap-
pointed for the purpose of making
thorough investigation and study of
the subject of taxation in South Caro-
lima and of suggesting and recon-
for the consideration of the
general assembly at its next session
such changes in laws and such legis-
lative measures as in the judgement
of said committee will best serve to
correct existing evils and to equalize
and tighten the burdens of taxation
in this state.
"Be it further resolved, That said
committee be authorized and directed
to call in consultation members of
the tax commission of South Caro-
lima, and that said tax commission
be and is hereby authorized and di-
rected to place at the disposal of said
commissioners office and to cooper
ate with and assist said committee in
the performance of its duties.
Resolved further, That the report
of said joint committee be published
and mailed to each member of the
general assembly so days in advance
of the next meeting of the general
assembly. The expenses incurred by
this committee shall be paid out of
the state contingent fund and shall
include actual expenses of the men,
bers of this committee while engaged
in their investigation and such steno-
graphic work and other expenses as
may be by this committee deemed
necessary thereto"
Just prior to adjournment yester-
day Governor Cooper sent the follow
ing message to the two houses, in
which he thanked the members, for
their cooperation in the legislative
his qualification over the
character of legislation enacted, and
his best wishes for happi-
ness and success at home:
81 have the honor to inform you
that have signed the general appro-
priation act and l have no further
for your honorable bodies.
SIN this final communication to the
general assembly Of 1920, permit me
to express my qualification at the
character of legislation enacted by