The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-12-07

'JtlhC Legislative TAX Committee tt
Recommend Reductions In Appro.
prfations which are Expected to Re.
duce the State Levy from IL, to S
Mills.
The State, Dec. 8.
Reduction Of the state tax levy for
1872 by at least one-third is to be the
major proposal of the joint legisla-
tive committee on economy and con.
solldation, according to an announce
ment following two day session of
the committee in Columbia last week.
The meeting was attended by Senator
Niles Christensen, chairman; Senators
F. A. Miller and w. Fred Lightsey,
and Representative E. II. Hughes ana
J. 'Ed. Anderson. The only member
absent was Representative John K.
Hamblin, who was unavodably de-
tanned by cases in court.
According to the committees
statement, three different devices will
be used to reduce the state tax levy
from II mills to eight mills or less
The first is to postpone the construc-
tiOn OF practically all building opera
tions for year. The second is to
carry on the state government at
smaller cost by means Of better or
ganization and improved operating
procedure The third is to raise part
of the states money by levies on
those now escaping wholly or partial
1y their fair share OF the burden. All
told, according to the committee, the
general property tax can be reduced
over $2,000,o00 as compared with 1921.
Building Deferred
After considerable discussion the
&committee came to the conclusion that
financial conditions in the state would
justify it's recommendation to the leg
islature Of deferring practically all
tions in 1922. Such action would re-
suit in a reduction Of the appropria
tions by approximately half a million
dollars. The committee realizes that
this means merely the deferrng of
expenditures which in some cases will
have to be made later. In only a few
instances, however, was the committee
able to learn Of conditions making the
erection of new building at once very
desirable and in most cases it was
thought no great hardship would re-
suit from q postponement of the build
ing program for one year.
The principal attention Of the COM
mittee was given to the possibility Of
savings through the consolidation Of
state agencies, through better internal
organization in departments and in
stitutions, through the cetnral pur-
chasing Of supplies, through improve
ments in the states fiscal system, and
), through better operating procedure.
After carefully considering condl-
tions as found in each separate de-
partment, commission, board, and in
stitution, the committee concluded
that the appropriations for 1922 might
be decreased. by another half million
in this manner In this case the com
mittee points out the savings VIII not
be for 1922 only but will continue
year after year indefinitely. Members
expressed the further opinion that
closer financial control according to a
plan which will be presented to the
legislature may be expected to prevent
any rapid and unreasonable increase
in the cost Of state government dur
ing teh prosperous years which the
committee believes will in the course
OF time be experienced again In South
Carolina.
Changes in System
Additional relief should be giver
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 with new sources O.
revenue and with means OF so shifting
the tax burden that 1t will be more
fairly distributed. In particular tht
committee expects to recommend thu
adoption OF plans to provide for ta'
raising OF at least $1,000,000 from
those now escaping taxation In Who'll,
or in part with consequent lessen
ing OF. the leyles on those now carry
Ing the whole load.
q % poforov adtn,,rnfnpy the COMMITTEE