Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, August 11, 1922, Page Page Six, Image 6

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STATE TAX COMMISSION. Greenville Newspaper Defends Work of the Organization. Greenville Piedmont. Ever since its establishment in 1915 by the duly elected representatives of the people of South Carolina in the general assembly, the state tax commission has been attacked by politicians as useless. What are the facts? What has the state tax commission done? is it useless or useful? The stgte tax commission has at last published a review of its work. ? Its statements can be verified from the j % public record. < I What was the state tax commission established for? To supervise and equalizi assessments throughout the state, so that all property shall bear its Jt:st snare ; of the tax burden and no more, and so that property escaping taxat on shall be fairly taxed. Tlio Constitution of South Carolina declares that "The general assembly shall provide by law for a uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation, j and shall prescribe regulations to secure a just valuation for taxation of ull property, real, i>ersonal and possessory." The tax commisison has tried to carry out that command of our Constitution. It has achieved excellent results, but it still has much to do. Whit has the state tax commission accomplished? Here arc some of the things it has done: Before it was created, the total as- | sesacd value of cotton mills was $29,-107 dflfl" In 1091 fhn nu?PQ?rilonf WAS I * %? $54,722,130 of which Increase $3,250,000 tvas new property, ieaving a net increase by the commission of $21,- i 985,430. The assessment of water, lij:ht, power and street railway companies in l'J14, before the creation of'the commis- I sion, was $4,443,434. In the process of assessment and equalization, as applied by the commission, th( assessment was increased to $13,441,915, an increase of $8,998,481. Of this $2,150,000 represents new property, leaving a net increase by the commission of $6,848,481. In 1914 the total assessed value of cottop seed oil mills and fertilizer plants was $4,034,277, but the commission increased it to $6,634,000, a net increase of $2,599,723. The year before the commission was created, the total assessment of railroads was $42,837,042, which has been increased to $48,700,397, an increase of $5,S63,355. In 1914 the total assessment on the Pullman telephone and telegraph com- j panias was $2,307,730. Under the pro- I ccss of equalization and assessment by j the commission, it was increased to $3*754.145. Of this amount of increase, $677,090 was added to the Southern ? ? ' i f 1 .#|1 ii* Hell Telephone and Telegraph company and the American Telephone and Telegraph compnny as a result of disclosures of their property values when they applied for an increase in rates. Whan the time came for the assessment of reel estate in 1918, the commission found that "some of the best ; or richest counties were assessed sub- ; Ktnmfhily as low per acre as some of ! the least valuable." After equalizing farm values among the several coun- j ties, the net result was to increase i farm lands from $75,318,428 to $110,924.000, an increase of $35,G05,573, en- , abling the state levy to be reduced ; from 9 1-2 mills to S 1-4 mills in 1918. j City and town property was increased from $68,150,364 to $78,576,CCS, a total increase of $10,426,304. A survey of the city of Columbia iniated bv the commission, put on the tax books in the form of back taxes and the past year's current tnxes ap- 1 proximately $500,000, which approxi- j matoly added $1,000,000 to permanent taxable values. The taxes payable to the stale from this source amounts to $150,000. If Is estimated that, through a similar survey, Spartanburg will pay ' $150,000 in back taxes into the public j treasury. The revenue derived by the ; state from this survey in Columbia alone v/ould pay the entire expense of ( the commission from the date of its I creation up to January 1, 1922 and leave a balance in the state treasury of $28,856.7G. The assessments of merchants and miscellaneous manufacturers in 1918 ; was about $12,000,000. In 1921 it was ; $41,815,851, ap increase of approxi- j mately $30,000,000. The commission discovered great inequalities in the assessment of this class of taxpayers. In one county it found a stock of mor- ! chandlsc worth actually $20,000 which was assessed at $150 or three-fourths of one per cent of its value. In the same county a stock of poods actually worth $595 was assessed at $'105, or 103 per cent of its value. ??_. One of the most striking instances of ; 1he service of the commission was that , invdlving the four largest packing houses in the United States: Armour | and company. Swu't and company, i "Wilson and company, Morris and company carrying on business ir I lie cities of Florence, Columbia, Charleston, Cirt-enville and Spartanburg The total assessment upon them all was $Sf>,237. The commission found that the property actually owned by these companies should have been assessed at $499.3G0, and fixed that as the correct assessment, tints adding to the taxable vnJuos of the packers in this state $111,123. The actual Increase in taxes paid to this state by the four compaties in 1920 was $31,870.74, or $6,233.74 more than the total expenditures of the commission for that year. Tfoe st^te tax commission has put on the tax books approximately $110,000,000 in property values, which had been escaping taxation. The result of that 1 has been to apportion the tax burden more fairly and, to a large measure, to I prevent the excessive taxation of those i formerly taxed. The appropriation for 1922 for the expenses ot the state tax commission (was increased $38,400 over last year, j but this addition was made to take care ! of the cost of enforcing and collecting | the new income, gasoline, corporation {and Inheritance taxes. The cost of collecting these is two and one-fourth I cents on each dollar collected. Contrary to common idea, the commission does not always nnse taxes. In the last sixteen months it has reduced assessments in 253 cases, while in the seven years of its operation it has ordered reductions in from 1,000 tc 1,200 cases. Moreover, the commission's accomplishments in equalization have fallen comparatively lightly on the farmers, for, although more than three-fourths of the state's population is in the country, more than two-thirds of the increased values have come from sources other than farms. if the state tax commission should bo abolished, what would take its place? Without a central agency empowered to equalize assessments how long would it he until the state would be In a state of demoralization, with insufficient revenues to meet its needs? Unless there is some instrumentality of the state government to prevent evasion of taxation, how could it be prevented? The state tax eommnsion isn't going: to be abolished. The people who would have had far greater burdens of taxation to alsculder but for the work of the commission will not stand for t"ho destruction of an agency that has saved them money and that has helped powerfully to provide South Carolina with enough revenue to conduct a progressive, humane and enlightened state government. BIDS EUROPE DISARM. /- ' ^ Senator William H Borah of Tdaho. who insists that nothine Is to be gained by cancelling debts if war programs are continued. OWN MANY BANKS Negroes Now Have Sixty-Nine In the United States. There arc sixty-nine negro banks in j the United States, with combined re- j sources estimated at $12,000,000. Six- j ty-one are in the South, writes Lester A. Walton in the New,York World. There are twenty-five negro insurance companies in the United States, with assets aggregating $G,339,19S.ri9. Twenty-one are in the South. These facts and figures are apt to startle the average reader, who is left to form an unbiased opinion of the r.egro in the South from what is published in the daily press about lynching." crime and l'hce disturbances; in which the negro prominently figures; from sensational articles of this character correct conclusions are sup poseu 10 dp <irn\vn, wan respect 10 race relationship. Negro hanks have enjoyed a longer existence than negro insurance comThe City Market WE HAVE NICE MEATS THIS WEEK AND EXPECT TO KEEP ONLY THE BEST FROM NOW ON ALSO CURED HAM, BOILED HAM AND BREAKFAST BACON. LET US FIX YOU UP A NICE ROAST FOR SUNDAY'S DINNER?VEAL OR THE OLDER MEAT. VVK i:UY IIIDKS. Geo. W. Sherer Geo. A. Sherer THE CITY MARKET "WE PAY YOU TO SAVE"? "There Is a Feeling "OK COMFORT in the knowledge that no matter what the futuro haa in store for you or your family, you are assured against want by a Bank Account. You can enjoy this feeling by starting a Bank Account w.th us and adding small amounts to it at your convenience." RANV OF HICKORY MM GROVE HICKORY GROVE, S. C. panics. Thr flffcfbnnk of its kind was (opened in Ihc early eighties. Twenty- ( live years ago insurance companies I owned and operated by Afro-Ameri| cans were practically unknown. Virginia is known as the home of the first negro bank. It was established at Drake's Branch, Yn., near Richmond, and opened in the home of the founder and president, wbo served in 1 I various capacities from porter to cash- j ! ier. Tile bank's first day's deposits ' j amounted to $100. From this unauspicious beginning blossomed the True Reformers' Bank, located for many ; years in Richmond. j The Alabama Penny Savings bank ' I was next organised' i'i Birmingham, \ and was a virile and influential instii tution. Shortly after the death of its j Beautiful An * There Is a certain charm about O! English dwellings. They have been sue cessfully used for hund.*eds of years an their architecture to-daj still pleases s much that we And the style copied 1 many forms In different parts of th world. The charming design presented here I that of a six room cottage contalnln all the modern conveniences. A larg side porch has French doors leading t It from the living room, which Is spacious room, 13x18 feet In size, an an attractive feature Is the opea Art place. A cased opening leads direct t the dining room. This Is exceptional! well lighted f>y a double mulllon wit dow on the side and a triple mullio window towards the rear so that whe one Is dining an attractive vista of th garden may be had. A jp 1 / 1UJ iii i i r~i lj|?fg?fijjjy F Entrance to the dining room from thi kitchen is through the pantry, a doubb door, being used here to prevent odor entering other parts of the house. The entrance hall has a stalrcasi square In Its layout' and this leads up stairs to three good sized bedrooms pro vlded with ample closet room. A large linen closet opens from th< hall which Is Just one single length . . I ?aT?/ fct m* * djajiajs ROOM r 12'-C, 13-0" 7"* ~ ' mmMt-m I bWAJ6J90Q^| - 13-0". WO* I guZTJ A Six I I i ^ * . ? ? S Since this 20 Per Cei ? Clothes have been extra; ? broken, and we have lost ? will certainly give you a in Palm Beach, Mohair, | need a new suit of summ f Full line of sizes in sizes in Men's Underwea A ? Don't forget that we ;|: and Suit Cases?suitable ALL DISCOUNT P j. M It founder sonto "yeifrs ago the bank ! closed its doors. An elevator building, tenanted by business and professional men o*' the negro race, known as the Alabama Penny Savings Bank building and situated in the business section of the city, stands as a monument to one ot the Sooth's first negro banks. Virginia Leads In Banks. Virginia also leads today in the number of negro banks, as eighteen are doing business under the super- 1 vision of the state banking department. North Carolina follows with ten. Georgia eight. Texas five, Tennessee, Maryland, and Pennsylvania four; South Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Misslssippi and the District of Columbia two; while Alabama, Kentucky, Michi- ; gan, Oklahoma, Massachusetts and j ? I nomes or mum Attractive English Cottage De d There is practically no waste space on t r this floor and the bathroom Is very con- c d venlently located both from downstairs t o and from the bedrooms, n The Construction of this house Is of v e hollow tile covered with a cream colored p stucco. The window sills, tops of chlm- v Is S 1 r. r* i^v, raum.iinii,l"ur eaturcs Which Would Pleaae Any Woma I; e neys, edges of porch and entry are of 1 e red brick, which contrasts very nicely s s with stucco work fctod adds Just a little a touch of color, Fjor tho best effect, a \ 0 variegated colored .roof would show the \ - best. The front ei|try can be finished In - the natural wood so as to show the 1 grain o rlt may ba painted the same as I b the trim. i . A very striking effect Is to have the I I m ||=Egp 1b | bEDROQttM T1 I 9-0\ IW loom House Containing All Modern Co % DISC j| On All Men's S || On All Men's Su $i On All Men's Sti fe? On All Low Sho and Children' At J. M. it Reduction Sale began our i good?so good, in fact that si some sales on that account. ; , great bargain in high-grade i Keep Cool or Tropical fabric er clothes. Low Shoes for Men, Women i r and Straw Plats. Come earl hate especially complete line 5 for Ladies and gentlemen. 3 'RICES ARE FOR SPOT CA . S T R ( West Virginia art each credited with ] a race bank. During the year of 1921, four rtegro hanks reached the million dollar mark in resources. Claiming: this distinction were the Solvent Savings Rank of Memphis, Tcnn.; .Metropolitan Bank and Trust company, Norfolk, Va.; Wage Warners Savings Rank of Savannah, (la., and Brown & Stevens, I 'hilndelphia. Cor a people removed little more than half a century front slavery to own and manage million dollar hanks is truly a praiseworthy commentary on negro progress; and in such an unrivalled aeomplishments are seen rhe awakening of a race consciousness and manifestations of a growing cnnil denoe on the part of negroes in negro srate Cost sign t'tndow trim and sash painted a fight* :o!ored green, also the wood worfc of he entry. This charming home can be built at a 'ery moderate price, owing to the comwictness of Its design. The price will ary in different localities, depending on - ^it' I. ev?v.?i^^cLi2s' sfi&fif KV.v 'r?o /-,7/1 o^^Qpi-^ < in umber prices and labor costs, but It Is i home that can be built for almost iny purse. The framing of the roof Is rery simple, as there are no Intricate rallcys to contend with. For further Information as to procurng building plans of this House Design <o. 14, send a stamped and self-adIressed envelope to the House Flans Sdltor, care of this paper. $EDK>CMX*2. f 15'0\ 13-47 I | "HH ^EDKUUMAM, Prf J U'-O'uW-Z' J nventences i irv itt^t nn U U IN i I ummer Clothing . | immer Underwear | raw Hats | es?Men's, Women's s- f STROUP'S ! sales of Men's Summer ? zes are becoming badly * [f we have your size we ;j; summer weight clothing | ;s. Come early if you ? & md Children; full line of ? y. I s of Trunks, Hand-bags % ?riced just right. .SH ONLY. | ) U P I II X* X-vI business. I have used the phrase "growing i | conlidenee" advisedly. What negroes have on deposit in race banks does not \ i fully represent the amount of money 1 they have deposited in banks under ( white management. In Norfolk, Va., | negroes have between J 1,000,000 and j $2,000,000 in banks conducted by mem! hers of their race, while between ] 000,000 and $7,000,000 of their money ' is said to be in white hanks. A ulrniREAL ESTATE AGENCY FOR SALE Ten Room House?On Kind's Mountain street in the town of Clover, on I coi ner lot 100x300, shady side of street, I water, lights and sewerage; surround -! ed hy cement paving. One-third cash i and balance on easy terms. Two Story?Glass front brick building 26x90. in Clover, on lot 30x400. One-fourth cash and balance on easy terms. Four Vacant Lots?On Main street, I Clover, 25x400, joining Xicholl's garage. Four Room House?And small store building, on lot 38x400 feet fronting on Main street, Clover, near the postoffiee. One-third cash and balance on 7 per cent credit. Good New Six-Room House?On a good lot in town of Filbert, near Presbyterian church. Business Lot?On King's Mountain street, Clover. 41 1-2 Acres?With C-room house and outbuildings. Oeo. A. MoCarter home-place. Joins i?. C. Pursley and others. Also 25 acres near this tract, and without buildings. Fifty acres on Clark's Fork, 20 acres of which is good J bottoms. Several Shares?Clover Cotton Oil , Company for sale. See me when you want to Buy or Sell Real Estato, Stocks or Bonds. Tho McCall Farm.?50 acres -all workable, 5-room house, barn and other outbuildings, 1 1-2 miles north of Clover. One-third cash and balance on time at 7 per cent. Matthews Store House?On corner lot in Clover. House 22 by 56 on lot 27 by 00. One-fourth cash balance on long time at 7 per cent. 97 Aores?New 4 room dwelling; 3 room tenant house; fine orchard and pasture, near Charlotte road, six miles from courthouse. Five Room House?On Wright avenue; lot 80x270; water, lights and sewerage. Fifty Aero Tract?Near NeW Zion church and school; three-room house and barn; lot of good snw timber. Fifty Acre Tract?Near New Zion church and school. Residence Phono 111 and Office Phone 74. C. F. SHE RER ; Fruit Jars? There is some fruit this season?Can All You Can can?We have the FRUIT JARS in all sizes, and also have Extra CARS for Mason, and E-Z Seal Jars, and also Rubbers and Fruit Powders. BOLL WEEVIL MOLASSES? We have a molasses that will please the taste of the Boll Weevil?The price 22 1-2 CTS. a Gallon. I WHITE HOUSE VIINEUAK? Have a barrel of this splendid hlghgrade real sour Vinegar?GO CTK. a gallon?You furnishing the jug or other container. SEE US for AUTO TIRES?Right in Quality and Right in Price?all sizes. W. F. JACKSON Mackorell-Ferguson Co.'s Old Stand, i i | Buggies at Reduced Prices Old Dobbin an dthe snappy looking , Buggy is not yet extinct in this county and you'll be several years older be- ; Core these become extinct like the dodo j | ?hence every now and then some man | | wants to buy a BUGGY, and that Is the place where we can best serve you. WE HAVE THE BUGGIES?and our Buggies are of best qualities In workmanship and styles, and furthermore? and also to tiie point?WE HAVE THE PRICES THAT WILL INTEREST YOU IN A MINUTE. If you want to i buy a BUGGY take time to visit our wareroom. We will be glad to talk to you about Buggies and Prices, and to be sure if you have a FORD CAR that you would like to exchange for a bugg>', we will ialk to you about that, too. J. H. CARROLL ?? : WVWVVWVWWWWVWWVWW | YORKVILLE C01TC 11 FIRST CU OUR ROLLER MIL j? condition mul in charge <1 j? business, lias been tlirou I! j ing, and we are GIVING A SATISF FIRST-CLASS FLC WHEAT. OUR PATRONS test i j to get better satisfaction j! where. Bring us your w | YORKVILLE COITO lar ratio is said to obtain in other cities where there are white and colored banks. . iir A porpoise wjl) devour its weight in fish every 48 hours. v j . i " ' ' " h vjts Cheap Protection i I Nil908, 15 yearsgo, a maji 45 years of a tin, applied for and obtained a policy fbr $2,000, Ordinary tilfc, in the M IJTt.'AL HKNKFIT. The contract premium was $74.10 annually, or $1,112.40 for 15 years. The 'dividends amounted to $225.04, making the NET annual cost for $2,000 insurance $58.45. If tip; assured should decide at tbe end of the 15th year that lie wants to discontinue the insurance hg can get $654.54 in CASH for his policy, which would he $222.42 less than he had paid out and would figure his PROTEC TION to have cost liiro-J7.41 per 51,000 per yeur; . Is tluit not cheap protection? Whether it is-or not, NO OTH- ? ER Company has boon able t6 duplicate it. , >| SAM M. & S. E. GRIST DISTRICT AGENTS IWWe also write Fire Insurance. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiniiimiiiHiiiiiH | CATHOLIC BOOKS | = SENT FREE ON APPLICATION. S jjj GET YOUR INFORMATION j= FIRST HAND.y s -i = s = QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY = S MAIL. ? E WHITE TO 1 REV. W. A. TOBIN Saint Anne's Church E ROCK HILL, 8. C. E - 4. s T?iniifiiiiifimiiiiiriiiiiiifiiiii!iiNiiimnff .. . . i, 1 I n . PROFESSIONAL CARDS. Dr. C. L. WOOTEN -DENTISTOFFICE OVER THE POSTOFFICE Telephones: Office, 128; Residence, 93 CLOVER, - - S. C. 71 t f. 6m DR..WM. M. KENNEDY ? DENTAL 5EKGEON ? Office on 8?cond Floor of tho Wylit Building. Telephones: Of fire, 99: Residence, 161 YORK. - 8. C. S. M. SIFFORD . Surveying and Leveling CLOVER, - - S. C. 50 f 13t J. S. BRICE Attorney At Law. Prompt Attention to all Leral Dullness of Whnt???r Nature. Office on Main Street in the Moore Building, First Floor, formerly occupied by 8. E. Spencer. f . ' f J. A. Marion W. G. Finley MARION AND FINLEY ATTORNEYS AT LAW Office opposite the Courthouse. Phone 126. YORK,8. C. YORK FURNITURE CO. Undertakers ? Embalmers YORK, - - 8. C. In All It* Branches?Motor Equipment Prompt Service Day oreNlght In Town or Country. 'JOHN R. HART ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW. Prompt and Careful Attention to All Business Undertakeh. Telephone No. 69. YORK. 8. C. 7? ft > It Tvnawriter Ribbons and Tyoewriter Papers at The Enquirer Office. AA/WWVWWWWWWWAA^WI IN OIL COMPANY j iSS FLOUR ' I /L, always kc])t in good j j if a Miller wlio knows his ! | gh a complete overhaul- j! ACTORY YIELD OF >UR FROM GOOD ;ify that they are unable ! | than Ave give them any- j ! heat. JI iN OIL COMPANY j j