Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-09-28
ugh the simple expedient Of

ISlaSnlnS APPROPRIATIONS, SoehS
this, that, or the other actiyity-even
though it mean the gripping of in
situations as necessary to the public
veal as is meat and drink to the hu-
man body-and abolishing others
that would arrest and stifle the prog
ress and achievement to which South
Carolina has in recent years turned
he1 face as to the MONDAY sum-"
Mr.. Duncan cautioned against the
danger of agitators swaying the peo-
pie, not as they should move for their
relief toward constructive tax re-
vision but destructively, towards ends
that will bring only a small and in
consequential measure of temporary
relief, if any at all, but (which would
put South Carolina back into educa-
tional darkness, back into the sand
ruts and the mudholes, back at the
tail end Of American civilization"
A more equal distribution of the tax
burden will largely bring the needed
relief, Mr.. Duncan said.
Several speakers told of the old
organization several years back and
then R. A. Ellison, treasurer OF
Greenwood county, who worked hard
to get the meeting, told of the plans
and purposes for the new association.
In the afternoon a temporary organ
ization was set up with Comptroller
General Duncan as president and w.
". Sutherland as secretary, this hold
ing until the permanent organiza-
Ition at the night session. Several inn
|promptu speakers were heard, In
Guiding Sam T. Carter, state treas
urer.
At the night session the two main
addresses were made by Rut l.. U.s.
borne, former comptroller general,
who spoke on "The Penalty, Its As
sessment and. Collection" and w. G.
Query, who spoke On the "South
Carolina Tax Commission" Mr.. Os-
borne, like a majority of those pres
ent, said the penalty at present was
"dead wrong and ne said he had
tried to get remedy from the legis-
llature, but failed: He favored a 5
per cent penalty on January 1 as
was recommended in the resolution.
After Mr.. Osborne several others
took the present system to task and
were vigorous in their attacks on it.
Tells of Commission.
Mr.. Query in his address spoke Of
the equalization the commission had
already done and pointed out that al
ready many millions of dollars had
been placed on the tax books by the
work of the commission. Equaliza-
ton of taxes on banks, cotton mills,
power plants, cottonseed oil mills,
fertilizer plants, merchants, horses
and mules and real estate had in
creased the taxes by large amounts
and had also put everybody on the
same basis, Mr.. Query said. He also
spoke of the "breaking point" in the
matter of property tax and suggest
ed new sources of revenue. He also
showed that a statewide survey would
place much property that has been es-
Gaping taxation on the books.
R. A. Ellison, Greenwood, spoke
on Executions" treating this sub
ject only briefly as it was agreed to
leave this matter with the legislative
committee to seek a change from the
next general assembly. A simplified
plan is wanted by the organization.
A resolution was passed asking the
general assembly to simplify the form
of execution.
Following the address of Mr.. Query
which was we'll received and Won a
number of friends for the tax COM
mission, the nominating committee
reported and the officers as named
above were chosen. The committee
having recommended that Mr.. Dun
can, Mr.. Carter, Mr.. Osborne and Mr..
Sutherland be included IS active
members. The organization commit
tee also recommended a yearly ses-
sion, which was adopted.
President Watson, just before adj
journment for the night, announced
the following committees.
Executive, R. A. Ellison, Green