The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-17
PLANS TO
REDUCE
TAXES
Conference Held in
Columbia Proposes
Ways Which it Be-
lieves Will Reduce
Property Levy in
South Carolina

1OPN4 W ASFJ al
South Carolina
Columbia, Dec 15.-Adoption Of
a resolution or platform seeking to
reduce the property tax and the
choosing Of permanent officers to
work for a better tax system in
South Carolina were the main ac-
tions of a 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 proper
Vt tax the following new taxes: a
tax on gasoline, the amount to be
fixed by the legislature; an occu-
patton tax, an inheritance tax. an
increase in the corporation license
amendments proposed at the last
session Of the legislature that would
give the legislature leewey in de-
terning the tax system, luxury
tax and an income tax based on the
federal government returns not eN-
ceeding 10 per cent. of that paid
to the federal government. Prac-
t;cally all details of this program
were left in the hands of the legls-
lature. the conference merely suS-
gesting the above changes as pos
sible remedies.
After the adoption of the pro-
grari. resolution calling for rigid
economy in the state government
and in the appropriation bill next
session was adopted. This resolu-
ton was introduced by L. A. Man
ming CT Latta.
Several features Of the program
came in for considerable discussion,
especially the income tax. After
warm debate the income tax was
placed in the suggestions by a ma
joriry of ore vote, 3. F. Mcleod Of
Charleston having offered this as
an added item. The original pro-
gram as offered by Mayor H. c.
IIarveley Of Greenville did not
include the income and luxury
taxes w. Bratton DeLoach Of Cam
den introduced the luxury tax
clause.
Elect Hartsville Man.
Following the adoption Of the
program c.. w. Coker Of Hartsville
was unanimously elected perma-
n>rt chairman Of the conference.
Mr.. Coker was not present, but is
deeply interested in the work and
no doubt will give much of his tir.,c
to carrying out the program He
left his home yesterday morning
for Columbia. but due to autoro-
bile troubles. had not arrived when
the meeting adjourned at o'clock.
Mrs. +. S. Munsell Of Columbia was
chosen vice chairman. she having
been nominated by E. w. Dabbs OF
Mayesville. Mr.. Dabbs was nonli-
mated by Mayor Harveley. but he
declined and insisted upon the
election of Mrs. Munsell. An ex.'
cutive committee. one member
from each congressional district.
was chosen as follows: B. F. Nc
Leod. First district; j. D. Prothro,
Second: c. c. Wharton. Third;
Mayor II. C. Harveley, Fourth; w.
y. DeLoacll. Fifth; G. p. Hodges.
Sixth: E. ". Dabbs. seventh, This
committee will choose q 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 eXecu-
tive committee.
y. w. Crouch. OF Saluda wanted
the conference to adopt a resolui
ton calling on the general assem-
bly, not TO appropriate over S3~
coo. 600 next year. but the resolu-
tion was never put and died nat
ura1 death.
August kohn. of Columbia was
asked to preside as temporary
chairman ard he opened the con-
ference with an explanation of the
purpose Of the meeting. He en-
phasized that the meeting was to
sugsest to the legislature some
remedial! meaa% and rot to legis-
late itself. we have burdens and
everybody wants TO see changes in
the tax system ard our purpose to-
day is to tell the legislature that
there are some ways in which 1t
can remedy the present system.
Smith Makes Talk.
DR.. Reed Smith of the university
made the main address of the oc-
casion. dwelling largely upon two
phases of taxation. the individual
taxpaver CRYING for relief and the
necessity for the carrying on in the
state government and its allied
work, such az education. good
roads. care for the feeblemlnded,
etc. Or. Smith quoted figures
showing that South Carolina has n
lower per capita expenditure than
any Of it's ncighboring states and
las an expenditure above only one
on two other states.
\ motion to ask the legislature
to give the tax commission and
county authorities the power t.
stay tax executions was los. bCt
this same question was ra,"rrcd
10 the executive committee for ac-
ton. l.. ~ Mannii- of Latta CT
fered the resolution.
]. c. Thomas 4f Manning srohe