The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-12-29
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 20. 1922
Tax Reduction Promised.

Reduction of the state tax levy for
1922 by at least one-third is to be the
major proposal of the Joint Legisla-
tive Committee on Economy and Con-
solidation, according to an announce
ment following a two day session OF
the Committee in Columbia recently.
The meeting was attended by Senator
Niels Christensen Chairman, Sena-
tors F. A. Miller and w. Fred Light
sey, and Representative John K. Ham
bin, who was unavcidably detained
by cases 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 construc-
ton of practically all building opera
tions for a year. The second is to
carry on the state government at
smaller cost by means of better or
sanization and improved 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 gen.
eral property tax can be reduced over
$1,000 900 as compared with 1921.
After considerable discussion the
Committee came to the conclusion that
financial conditions in the state would
iastify its recommendation to the
legislature of deferring practically
all building operations by state insn-
tutions In 1922. Such action would
result in reduction of the sppro-
priations by approximately half a
million dollars. Tie Committee re-
alizes that this means merely the de-
fesring Of expenditures which in
some cases will have to be made
tater. In only few instances, how
ever, was the Committee able to learn
of coalition making the erection OF
new buildings at once very desirable
ard in more cases it was thought no
great hardship would result from a
postponement of the building program
for one year.
The principal attention of the Com
nrittee was given to the possibility
of savings through the consolidation
of state agencies, through better In
ternal organization in departments
and institutions, through the central
purchasing of supplies, through I'M
provements in the states fiscal sys-
tenn, and through better operating
procedure. After carefully consider
ing conditions as found in each sepa-
rate department, commission, board,
and institution the Committee con-
eluded that the appropriations for
1922 might be decreased by another
half million in this manner. In this
case the Committee points out the
savings will not be for 1922 only but
will continue year after year lndef-
nitely. Members expressed the fur
ther opinion that closer financial con-
troll according to a plan which will
be resented to the Legislature may
be expected to prevent any rapid and
unreasonable increase in the cost of
state government during the pros
porous years which the Committee
believes will in the course of time be
experienced again in South Carolina.
Additional relief should be given
hard pressed tax payers, the Commit
Tee believes, through changes in the
tax system and the Committee is
working on definite proposals to pre-
sent to the Legislature. These pro-
posals will deal both with new sources
of revenue and with means of so shift
ing the tax burden that it will be
more fairly distributed. In particu-
lar the Committee expects to recon-
mend the adoption of plans to provide
for the raising of at least million
dollars from these now escaping tax
alton in whole or in part, with con-
sequent lessening Of the levies on
those now carrying tho whole load.
Before adjourning the Committee
went over the reports on the various
state agencies made by Griffenhagen
6 Associates, Ltd, Of Chicago, Se