Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-01-10
EXPENSES OF The STATE
Economy Committee Recommends
Heavy RetFenChmeRt.
EXPENDITURES MAY BE REDUCED
Department Heads Are All Doing Good
Work; But Efficiency Can Be Pro.
noted BY LnteIliqent Consultation.

IN the organization or existing state
agencies, !deferrins of building pro-
grams and other permanent improve
ments for the present year, reorgani-
zation OF the states fiscal administra-
tion and the leyying of new taxes for
additional revenue, the joint legisla-
tive committee on economy and con-
solidation, authorized by joint reso-
ntion of the last general assembly, in
its report to the legislature, estimates
that the levy on real property can be
reduced from IL mills in 1921 to four
mills in 1922.
The committee estimates that the
saving wrought by organization
changes will total 100000 yearly, de-
ferred building ard Improvement pro-
grams will reduce the tax this year
by S750,000 adjustments in the fiscal
system will insure q. further saving of
100000, and new tax laws will in
crease the revenue sS,4S5,OOO annually.
Composition of Committee.
The committee is. composed of Sen
ator Neils Christensen, chairman of
Beaufort County; Senator w. Fred
Lightsay of Hampton county; Senator
r. A Miller of Darlington county;
Representative John K. Hamblin of
Union county; Representative E. 7.
Hughes of Marion county, and Repre-
sentative j. Ed Anderson of Florence
county.
The Investigating staff, assisting the
committee in its work is composed OF
Fred Telford, H. ]. Reber, e. V.tGrif-
fenhagen and other members of the
firm of Griffenhagen and Associates,
Ltd, of Chicago, and j. w. Wilkes, an
auditor connected with the Office of
the comptroller general
The committee was organized for
work in June, 1921 by the election of
Senator Christensen chairman and
Representative Hamblin, secretary.
After a careful survey Of conditions,
said the report, it was found that ex-
pert assistance was necessary and so
n contract was made with Griffen-
hagen and Associates, Ltd, firm that
has had broad experience in assisting
public bodies and large business en-
terprises and had available thor
oughlya qualified staff of experts who
could be called upon from time TO time
according, to the needs of the work"
The committee DIVIDED itself into sub
committees of one senator and one
representative, : and sths Investigation
OF the 80 sorsriaore agencies of govern
nent were divided among these suber-
dinate bodies, :..,.. 1.r..
In describing its activities extend
ing over a period of over half year,
the committee says. the thorough. an
alysis made may well serve the legis-
Iature for years to come in determin-
ing the policies and making decisions
for state agencies. .....l 5....'
Eliminate Only the Bad.
The savings recommended" states
the report, "do net represent indis-
criminate slashing equally affecting
well organized and well managed state
agencies and those which are wasteful'
extravagant and ineffective; on, the
other hand, every effort has been
made to assist the legislature in re-
tanning what is good and in eliminat-
ing only what is bad"
Eleven specific recommendations are
made by the committee in its theory
of a Organization of certain gov
ernment functions: '..
Establishment under the contingent
fund committee of an. auditing stan
for financial supervision; ultimate for
nation of a. department of finance un-
der control of q director appointed by
the governor; placing of various IN
stitutions and agencies under state
board of public welfare; submission
of educational estimates for 1923
through n central agency; expansion
of Joint committee on printing to take
in purchase of other staple articles;
consolidation of the state railroad
commission and the public service
commission into a single body to regu-
late all utilities; placing OF control OF
state house and grounds under super
vision of state electrician and engineer
and opening of office to handle cleri-
cal work of various boards and COM
missions not having permanent offices.
Suspend Building Program.
The committee estimates that the
following amounts can be saved by
suspension this year of the building
and permanent Improvement pro-
grams: ......
The Citadel, 100000; Confederate
infirmary, sS5,OOO; school for the deaf
and blind, $4,000; state hospital, $685.
900: industrial school for boys, $4,000;
industrial school for girls, $4,000;
John de la Howe industrial school,
$4,000; state medical college, $4,000;
University of South Carolina, $62,5Oo;
Winthrop college, $4,000 and heating
plant in the state house, $4,000, MAX
irg a total of $72O,SSO.
That a more thorough supervision
of expenditures may be made by the
general assembly, the committee rec