The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-12-14
SUGGESTS PLANS
TO REDUCE TAXES

III REDISf I:1AES
Adoption of a resolution Or plat
form seeking to reduce the property
tax and the choosing of permanent
officers work for a better tax sys-
tenn in South Carolina were the main
actions Of conference of citizens here
yesterday morning. They were called
together to discuss tax problems.
AS finally adopted the platform Of
the conference suggests as means for
remedying the present property tax
the following new taxes: A tax on
gasoline, the amount to be fixed by
the legislature; an occupation tax,
an inheritance tax, an increase in
the corporation licenes tax, passage
of the constitutional amendments
proposed at the last session of the
legislature that would give the legis-
lature leeway in determining the tax
system, a luxury tax and an income
tax based on the federal government
returns not exceeding 10 per cent.
of that paid to the federal govern
ment Practically all details of thi:
program were left in the hands of the
legislature, the conference merely
suggesting the above changes as pos
sible remedies.
After the adoption of the program
a resolution calling for rigid economy
in the state government and in the
appropriation bill next session wa:
adopted. This resolution was intro
duced by L. A. Manning OF Latta.
Several features of the program
came in for considerable discussion,
especially the income tax. After a
warm debate the income tax was
placed in the suggestions by a ma
jority Of one vote, BE. Mcleod OF
Charleston having offered this as an
added item. The original program as
offered by Mayor H. c. Harveley OF
.Greenville did not include the income
and luxury taxes. w. Bratton De-
Ioach Of Camden introduced the lux
ury tax clause.
o.. Elect Hartsyille Man.
Following the adoption Of the pro-
gram c. W. Coker Of Hartsrille was
unanimously elected permanent chair
man of the conference. Mr.. Coker
was not present, but is deeply inter-
ested in the work and no doubt will
give mach OF his time to carrying out
the program. He left. his home yes
terday morning for Columbia, but due
to automobile troubles, had not ar.
rived when the meeting adjourned at
2 o'clock. Mrs. F. S. Munsell of Co.
lumbia was chosen vice chairman
she having been nominated by E. W
Dabbs of Mayesville. Mr.. Dabbs was
nominated by Mayor Harveley, but
he declined and insisted upon the
election of: Mrs. Munsell. An execu-
tive committee, one member from
each congressional district, was chosen
as followsn, B. F. Mcleod, First dis
trict;j J! D: Prothro, Second: c. c.
Wharton, Third; Mayor H. c. Harre-
ley, Fourth: W. B. DeLoach, Fifth;
C...P. Hodges, Sixth; E: W. Dabbs,
Seventh. This committee will choose
secretary. Following the general
conference the committee met and
began the work Of carrying out the
program. The chairman and vice
chairman were made members OF the
executive committee. ."
B. W. Crouch Of Saluda wanted the
conference to adopt a resolution call
ing on the general assembly not to
appropriate over s3,O00,oO0 next year,
but the resolution was never put and
died a natural death: 80 Mr.. Crouch
was strongly against the imposition
of any further taxes, but wanted to
reduce the present burden. "Con-
structive legislation has ruined the
state" Mr.. Crouch said.-The State.
NEW TREATY SIGNED.