The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1922-01-13

Bill Is Opposed
oULO CREATE NEW DEPART
MENT WITH UNLIMITED
POWERS.
'aid Create Forestry Commission
'asure, 1t Passed, II 10 Said, Would
Cripple Industry and Hit the
Farmers-Congress to
Pass Bill.

FSSS Bill.
jackson, Miss.-Widespread sent
snt N opposition TO q proposed Mis-
R'sippi state forestry bill, introduce,
the present session OF the Mississippi
yielature. has developed with increas
strength recently among all classe,
Mississippi citizens, farmers, mer
ants, workmen, builders, lumbermer
a others, owing to the numerous OBJ
ctionab BILE features of the bill which
Q considered highly detrimental tc
welfare Of the state generally al
sii as working serious hardship upon
ddvidual citizens, farmers, industriol
"a businesses.
One important feature Of the bill,
mich 30 arousing most vigorous con.
emnation Of the proposed act by ci.i.
ms OF all classes, 10 the creation of Q
DIV state department, to b known
the State Board Of Forestry and
Aich commission would be given such
oad powers and privileges ~ to make
1t once n Of the most potentially
owerful political machines that svsr
- been foistsd upon the people Of
sy state, In the opinion OF those who
' studied the measure.
Throughout Mississippi in the last
Nv years there has been 4 widely e.
rsssed and vibrant clamor against
reaung new state departments and
od4nS heavier expenses to be borne
y the already heavily burdened tax
ayers. But these are some OF the
aings that would b. accomplished un.
~ the proposed new forestry act.
The proposed bill would create 4 big
tate forestry commission with virtual.
= unlimited powers. The commission
Tould have authority to select the
hisf administrator of the act, the
ltats Forester. his assistants and en-
eloyes, or forestry "~wardens," who
ould be appointed without any limit "a
o number, needs or qualifications
ther than the desires. whims and pur-
poses OF the forestry board. Also the
commission would have sole aud un-
disputed power to fix the salaries and
expenses, allowances of the officials
md employees in the forestry depart
nent. These officials and employees
could be removed only for cause and
would be virtually a perpetual body, or
machine"
Under the proposed act. the forestry
commission is given legislative powers
AZ well as administrative. it being spe-
stated that the rules and reg |
aiations of the commission" shall have
The force n effect of law after the
Of so days, unless it can be
shown that an emergency exists by
which the public interest is seriously
endangered, when the specific rule or
involved shall. by public no
ice, be made Immediately effective.
The forsetry commission would not
% amenable even to the state courts
With respect to its orders, rules or
however unjust or burden.
'ome the commissions orders might
'e. The courts may only suspend the
operation Of any order or regulation
or such time, not exceeding 60 days,
Is may be necessary to grant a public
earring TO any person aggrieved there.
~"
But after such suspension of the or
the decision of the commission
Vill be final in the matter and in the
OF competent lawyers, the com.
aission could impose any injustice or
urden it desired without hindrance
ROM the courts.
The act also specifically gives to the
tSte forester, his assistants and war
ems" full police powers in all matters
to O connected with the for
ste and the scope OF such a grant of
under provisions Of the propos-
q law would be decidedly broad.
In addition to creating this forestry ]
oMmissOn and giving it administra- F:
legislative and police powers and :
nality OF decision in matters affect I.
lg b forests and its W orders, +,
lies and regulations, the act also pro-
dee for the levynig and collection of
license, or severance tax OF ten cents =,
sr ousan feet of stumpage, on all 1
mber cut, said tax to be paid 80 days s
ter the severance. And further. the {
would levy a severance tax on
lch person, corporation or association I
in the business of recovering g
atural resources from the soil or wa. {
including all forms Of turpentine {
other forest products; minerals,
lch as oil, gas, sulphur, salt, coal and .
'es: also marble, stone, gravel, sand, ! .
lells and other natural deposits," 7
hich tax shall be collected quarterly. !.
And all the money collected from !.
is extensive severance tax and also 4
! state appropriations made for the .
Of the forestry board, a. well b
all moneys derived from the sale of u
mber or other products from the q
ate forests and fines derived from :
e penalties, shall be turned into a
created Forestry Fund, which G
nd shall be handled and expended by o.
e forestry commission without any Ii
eek or restriction. a
Provisions of the proposed AK levy e
g a severance tax upon all materials "
tern so building construction y,
e con Z 1 highly detrimental tC =,
'oTfs thu ~ beirr made ~fhrauohou. =