Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-12-09
sTopPAaE Or WASTE.
Legislative committee Promises Re
duetion Of Taxation. -


duetion Of Taxation. -
Reduction Of the state tax levy by at
least one third is to be the major pro-
posal of the joint legislative committee
on economy and consolidation, accord
ing to an announcement following a
two days session Of the committee in
Columbia last week. The meeting was
attended by Senator Neils Christensen,
chairman Senators F. A. Miller and w.
Fred Lightsey. and Representatives E.
T. Hughes and j. E. Anderson. The
only member absent was Representa-
tive John K. Hamblfn, who was. una
voidably detained by cases in court.
According to the committees state
ment, three different devices will be
used to reduce the state tax levy from
twelve mills to eight mills or less. The
first is to postpone the construction of
practically all building operations for
year. The second is to carry on the
state government at smaller cost by
means Of better organization and i'm
proved operating procedure. The third
is to raise part Of. the states money by
levies on those now escaping wholly or
partially their fair share of the burden.
All told, according to the committee,
the general property tax can be reduc-
ed over sz,oOo,OOO as compared with
1921.
After considerable discussion the
committee came to the conclusion that
financial conditions in the state would
justify its recommendation to the leg
islature Of deferring. practically all
building operations by state institu-
tions in 1922. Such action would re-
suit in reduction Of the appropria-
tions by approximately half a million
dollars. The committee realizes that
this means merely the deferring or ex-
penditures which in some cases Will
have to be made later In only few
instances, however, was the committee
able to learn Of conditions making the
erection of new buildings at once very
desirable and in most cases 1t was
thought no great hardship would result
from postponernent Of the building
programme for one year.
The principal attention of the COM
mittee was given to the possibility of
saving. through the consolidation of
state agencies, through better internal
organization in departmentsya and instl-
tutions, through the central purchasing
of supplies, through improvements in
the states fiscal system, and through
better operating procedure. After care
fully considering conditions as found in
each separate department, commission,
board and institution, the committee
concluded that the appropriations for
f922 might be decreased by another
half million in this manner. In this
case the committee points out the saw
ings will not be for 1922 only, but will
continue year after year indefinitely.
Members expressed the further opinion
that closer financial control according
to q plan which will be presented to
the legislature may be expected to pre-
vent any rapid and unreasonable in
crease in the cost of state government
during the prosperous years which the
committee believes will in the course Of
time be experienced again in South
Carolina.
Additional / elief should, be given to
hard pressed tax payers, the committee
believes. through changes in the tax
system and the committee is working
on definite proposals to present to the
legislature. These proposals will deal
both with new sources of revenue and
with means of so shifting the tax bur-
den that it will more fairly distrib
uted. In particular the committee ex-
poets to recommend the adoption of
plans to provide for the raising Of at
least million dollars from those now