The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-12-09
COMMITTEE SEES
EIGHT MILL LEVY
JOINT LEGISLATIVE BODY PRO-
POSES REDUCTION
Consolidation, Building Postponement
and New Revenue Constitute
Way to Lower Taxes

Way to Lower Taxes
The State.
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 last week.
The meeting was attended by Senator
Niels Christensen, chairman; Senators
F. A. Miller and w. Fred Lightsey,
and Representative E. 7. Hughes and
J. Ed Anderson. The only member
absent was Representative John K.
Hamblin, who was unavoidably de-
tanned by cases in court.
According to the committees state
ment, three differ mt devices will be
used to reduce the state tax levy from
12 mills to eight mills or less. Fhe first
is to postpone the construction OF
practically all building operations for
a year. The second is to carry on-tne
state government at smaller cost by
means of better organization and I'M
proved operating procedure. Inc
third is to raise part of the states
money by levies on those now escap-
ing wholly or partially their far
share of the burden. All told, ac-
cording to the committee, the gener-
al property tax can be reduced over
$4,000, 900 as compared with 1921.
Building Deferred
After considerable discussion the
committee came to the conclusion that
financial conditions N the state would
Justify its recommended; to the leg
istature of deferring practically all
building operations by state inst:tu-
tions in 1922. Such action would re-,
suit in reduction of the appropna-
tions by approximately half a million
dollars. The committee realizes that
this means merely the deserrlng OF
expenditures which in some cases
will have to be made later. IN only
few instances, however, was the
committee able to learn of conditl ,Tls
making the erection OF new buildings
at once very desirable and, IN most
cases it was thought 40 great hard
shin would result from postpone
ment of the building program for one
year.
The principal attention of the COM
mittee was given to the possibility OF
savings through the consolidation OF
state agencies, t. rough better inter
nal organizations in departments and
institutions, through the central pur-
chasing of supplies, through improve
ments in the states fiscal system, and
through better operating procedure.
After carefully considering conditions
as found in each separate department,
commission, board, and institution,
the committee concluded that the ap-
propriations for 1922 might be de-
creased by another half million in this
manner. In this case the committee
points out that the savings will not be
for 1922 only but will continue year
after year indefinitely. Members ex-
pressed the further opinion that closer
financial control according to plan
which will be presented to the legisla-
ture may be expected to prevent any
rapid and unreasonable increase IN
the cost of state government during
the prosperous years which the COM
mittee believes will in the course of
time be experienced again in South
Carolina.
Changes in System
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 with new sources of
revenue and with means of so shift
ing the tax burden that it will be more
fairly distributed. In particular the
committee expects to recommend the
adoption of plans to provide for the
raising of at least si,000,000 from
those now escaping taxation in whole
or in part, with consequent lessen
ing of the levies on those now carry
ing the whole load.
Before adjourning the committee
went over the reports of the various
l.