The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-01-18

advertiser).--A review OF tho first
week OF the General Assembly demon
strates that the members have two
IDEAS In view:
f1rst, 10 expedite the session; and.
second, to provide some remedy to
iife the burden Of taxation off tangible
property
or course very little Of moment was
done last week. The members were
leeiinS the pulse OF opinion in an ef-
iort TO get a true perspective on the
Hiat1Ve problems confronting them
They do know that some taxation re-
lief must be vouchsafed the people
All informative agencies have advised
them of this need; and they are in the
mood to heed this advice.
Now sources of revenue suggested
are: an income tax, an inheritance tax.
"a gasoline tax, oil tax, luxuries tax.
an occuptional tax, hydro-electric pow
or tax and an increase in the corpora
ton license taxes now enforced
Bon the Joint Legislative Committee
on Economy and Consolidation and
Governor Cooper, in his annual mes
SAGE, have advocated some of these
taxes, the only divergence bying the
committee did not stress the occupa-
tlonal tax.
The session is too young to guage
what will be tho outcome Of the ses-
sion, except to ascertain that at least
three OF the proposed new revenue
bills--income, inheritance and oil-
will have opposition. There appears
little adverse criticism OF the other
proposed revenue measures.
When the Joint Legislative Commit
tee made its report. published in the
newspapers Of last Sunday, there was
Il storm OF protest from various de-
partments, institutions and agencies
affected. This, of course was natural,
as many toes had been stepped up
on" but the clash Of contending views
has somewhat subsidized; the members
are showing Il disposition to take the
committees recommendation at their
face value.
number Of bills radically changing the,
form OF State government, and there
is much opposition to them. But they
will be given thorough thought before
there is q final disposition Of them.
While the prevailing opinion among
members is that practically all of them
except the purely revenue measures
will be rejected yet this sentiment
is In a purely nebulons stage and may
crystallzc into an advocacy of them.
There is no doubt that the members
Of both houses are thoroughly con-
vinced OF the probity, patriotism and
upselfish motives OF the six members
OF the committee, as was demonstrated
Friday when the House refused to ac,
cept the Owens resolution discharging
the committee; but they are not recon
ciled by any means to many Of their
recommendations. @
There has been much criticism Of
the action Of the committee going to
fenhagen and Associates, Inc, OF Chi
cago, to probe into the various gov
crnmental agencies. However, the
members OF the committee were agreed
that some unbiased agency should do
the investigating and make an unpar-
tisan. report. They employed this
company on that theory and for the
reason that it was highly recommend
cd, Whether or not the experts en-
ployed fufliled the expectations OF
the committee, no one but the commit
tee members know
The report of the Budget Committee
has been prepared and was received
from the printer yesterday, to be laid
on the desks OF the members Monday
night when the Senate meets at 8 and
the House at 8:15y o'clock. 1T recon-
mends appropriations aggregating $6,-
466,240.15 which is $300.S95.17 under
the money provided for State activities
last year. The requests totaled s8.-
097,05. NIX
II appears to be the concensus Of
- q. - ~ 49,. IL,