The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-03-03
TIE TAX MEASURES
BEFORE THE SENATE
HOUSE MARKING TIME WAITING
ON UPPER BODY
Appropriation Measure With Finance
Committee of Senate Who Are
Arbitcrs of States Taxation

AruiiCrS OF y tate taxation
Columbia, Feb. 2S.-The main mat,
ters to be decided upon by the pres
ent legislature are the tax revenue
bills. The legislature has now been
in session since the second Tuesday
in January, which happened to come
early this year-to be exact, on the
11th of January-and has, therefore,
already been in session for seven
weeks, or little more than the Gus
tomary forty days.
! The senate was somewhat taken OH
its feet when Senator Christensen re-
SIGNED as chairman of the finance
committee of the senate, giving as a
reason therefor that the senate nad
not looked after the agricultural IN
terests as it ought to. Senator Gross
of Dorchester has been elected IN the
place of Senator Christensen, and
matters will go forward. The finance
committee of the senate is now con-
sidering the appropriation bill, which
has already passed the house, and the
tax revenue bills may have a consider
able bearing upon the action OF the
finance committee on the approprla-
ton bill.
There have been predictions that
the legislature may get through next
week, but those who have watched the
sessions for many years, and who are
we'll informed, say that it will be at
least two weeks longer.
The senate meets tonight, and the
house Tuesday night The house is
really marking time until the senate
catches up.
During the past week the tax, rev.
enue measures held the centers OF
interest in the senate. The income
tax bill, different measure from that
sent over by the house, was passed
the one known as the McGhee-substl-
tute bill. The inheritance tax and
gasoline tax bills have been ratified
and signed by Governor Cooper. The
inheritance tax has become law, the
gasoline tax becomes law next We'd
nesday.
In connection with the tax meas
ures, it is understood that Governor
Cooper does not look with approval
on the measure to postpone payment
of taxes, which is now on his desk
for signing. He is expected to veto
the act. This measure has strong op-
position from official circles. 1t is
argued that the provision of the act
which would allow tardy taxpayer
to vote on the elections this year is
wholly unconstitutional, and it is also
contended by opponents of the meas
ure that it would hurt the states cred
it. the debt of the state depending on
the payment of taxes to provide for
refunding.
: The hydro-electric tax bill, which
met death in the senate several days
ago has been revived in the house
and is now on third reading in that
body Lobby gossip says that the bill
stands a better chance of passage in
, the senate now, having previously
been killed by one vote.
The senate finance committee still
has the appropriation bill and is hold
ing hearings on the measure. In the
meantime the bill has been advanced
to third reading in the senate, thus
saving at least one day. II VIII be
debated and perhaps amended or that
reading when reported out OF the
committee.
The bill placing a license tax on
motion picture theatres has passed
the senate. The original bill placed
a tax on films, the senate amended
the bill by providing for a tal on the
theatres. 1t is understood this is
agreeable to the author Of the meas
ure.
The two branches appear anxious
to get away as soon as possible but
!! there IS no hope for adjournment by
March 4 and it now appears likely
that March ] / will be the date Of ad-
ionrnment sine die.