The Mena weekly star., 1910-10-20

Little Rock, Oct i5.-The Board of Railroad Incorporation, with all mem bers present, today unanimously voted to grant charter for the Mena and Hot Springs Railway Company. The Board also declined to issue a charter to the Hot Springs, Ouachita and Mena, (the Kansas City Southern sub sidiary company which under slight ly changed name has held a charter for several years.)
 With Governor Donaghey presiding over the board, J. B. McDonough re- newed the application for the charter regardless of the fact that a month ago he had agreed before the board not to stand in the way if Mena want ed to build the road.
 W. M. Pipkin presented an applica- tion for the Mena people showing the amount of capital stock subscribed, rendering certified check for $7, 700. together with charter fees. MT. Pip kin then called attention to the fact that McDonough had agreed at the last meeting to withdraw his applica- ton if citizens would show they could build the road. He said that the peo- pie were in dead earnest; had com piled with all McDonough's conditions and were there to call his hand. As Mr. Pipkin closed, Attorney General Norwood at once introduced a resolu tion granting the charter to the Mena people. It was seconded by Commis- sioner of Lands Coffman.
 McDonough was then given chance to speak. He stated that there was misunderstanding as to his propo- sition at the last meeting. He said that at that time he had said he would recommend to his company to permit citizens of Mena to build the line. but his recommendations had been de- clined by his company. He read let ters which he had written to Pipkin after the last meeting showing such was his intention. Said his company was in good faith and wanted to build; that the road would cost $2, 800, ,000, which Mena would be unable to raise, but that the president of the railroad was unable to give bond for construc- tion until the matter could be passed upon by the board of directors and that as yet no meeting had been held. Mir. Norwood then asked McDonoueh if the stock of his proposed road was not mostly his own subscription. Mc- Donoueh replied that it was, but all understood he acted solely for the Kansas City Southern, being author ized to do so by President Edson. MT. Pipkin asked McDonough if his application for charter for q new road was not merely an effort to indi- rectly secure a renewal of the old charter. which the law prevented him from doing directly.
 McDonoueh replied no. and stated financial conditions had been such
 that the old corporation could not
 build the road, but that the new stock holders have money and were able to build it.
 McDonough then argued that the
 board should grant both charters
 which would give state more fees, more
 development if both should build a
 road and if not both, then there would
 be chance to see which was in ear nest.
 MT. Norwood then entered upon a
 scathing arraignment of the Kansas City Southern, opening his remarks with the statement that it's dummy railroad grace had expired with the
 Board of Railroad Incorporation of Arkansas. He then gave history of the efforts to have this road between
 Mena and Hot Springs built and fol-
 lowed by motion to grant the Mena
 charter, saying give the people of
 Mena halfth time given the other road
 then if they have not done twice as lmuch work at the end of the time as