The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-01-14
WORK OF The
LEGISLATURE
WELL STARTED
Ways and NJ e a n S
Committee Has IN
dertaken to Map
Out Scheme to Re-
duce Taxation

originate. composed Of more than
twenty-five per cent. OF the mem
be.-s OF the house. has already got
ten down to the task Of reducing
the tax burden in the state. and
following first meeting Of the
committee Yesterday afternoon. it,
was stated that the committee had
already committed itself to five
measures which will produce new
state revenues, and that the bills
are now being drafted.
The five revenue measures to
which the ways and means commit
tee has committed itself would pro-
vide taxes on gasoline, Of probably
one cent a gallon: an income tax,
differing slightly from that pro-
/ posed in a bill introduced last year;
an inheritance lax, and a tax on
.uxuries. 1t is stated that the
committee has not as yet reached
d. final decision regarding the bus
iaess privilege tax.
1t is stated also by members OF
the committee that the program
endorsed by the ways and means
committee and on which 1t has
started work will reduce the state
| levy to about five mills, and that
| the proceeds Of this levy will so
almost entirely to educational pur-
poses. The aim Of the commit
tee is to provide the revenue for all
/ governmental functions, aside from
public educatiohAf from sources 9TH
er than a property tax.
/ The ways and means committee
! had lengthy meeting yesterday.
! The taxation situation was discuss
] ed. Meetings viii be held every
! day. during the legislative session,
and the prediction of members OF
the committee is that a tax pro-
; gram will be proposed, the like Of
which has never been known in the
state before
Bonds for Pee Dee Bridge
Columbia, Jan IA new chap
ter in the Pee Dee bridge his
tory was started today when Sen
ator Baker, of Florence. introduc-
ed a bill to authorize the county
! commissioners of Florence county.
to issue bonds to the amount OF
| 100000, and to use the proceeds,
acting jointly with the Marion
county commission, as the MARS
Bluff Bridge Board" in erecting
/, bridge over the Great Pee Dee riv-
er at Mars Bluff Ferry.
The first chapter of this story was
written year or so ago, when fed
eral aid was secured for the erec-
ton of such bridge near Mars
Bluff The second chapter was the
rejection of state and federal aid.
The third was the plan to build a
toll bridge, and now the fourth
chapter tells Of the new county ef-
fort with a bond issue as the source
OF revenue.
New Tax DodSing Plan.
Columbia. jan r. = A bill
which would exempt from taxation
many buildings used by eleomosyn-
ary organizations. such as Masonic
Temples, and prompted by mo-
tive to exempt from taxation the
new Masonic Temple being erected
in Columbia. was introduced in the
general assembly today by Senator
Thos. &. Pearce, Of Richland coun-
".
The bill would amend the statute
which now eNcnlptS from taxation
Y. NJ. c. y. property in the state. by
adding the clause: ''or any char
liable and fraternal order operat-
ing and incorporated under the
grand lodge system and not engag-
ed in life insurance and in which
no profit insures to any individ-
ual."
There is "a proviso in the bill
which would eliminate from the
tax exemption provision Of the
measure any part of any such
building which is rented for other
purposes.
In the case OF the Columbia Ma
sonic Temple. a new six story build
ing 10 be used by the Masonic or
ders here, the first floor is to be
rented as a sales room for an au-
tomobiie concern. This part of the
property. under the provision Of
the bill. will be subpect to taxation.
Bill to Fix Telephone Rates.
Columbia. Jan l2.-There is
considerable interest throughout
the state in The bill now before the
legislature, introduced by Repre-
sentate Foster Of Spartanburs. pro-
viding for maximum charge for
telephones. The bill would limit
the charge for business phones to
50 per month. residence phones to
So. except for party lines. where
the limit would be 81 for business
phones and $3.50 for residence
phones. The bill is in the hands,
OF the committee on commerce
and manufacture
Pension for Judges Proposed.
Columbia, Jan. l2.-There is
considerable comment and interest
centering on the bill, introduced by
/ Representatives McInnes, Ashton
and Williams. in the house of rep
resentatiyes, TO provide for the re-
tirenent OF judges. The measure
would retire judges after ten years
of service and or two-thirds pay
There are several judges Of the
state who would come under these
provisions. in case the bill IS enact
cd into law