The log cabin Democrat., 1913-08-21
REVENUE IS IN FOR
 LONG DRY SPELL
NO MONEY FOR A YEAR
STATE GENERAL FUND EX- HAUSTED, WITH NOTHING IN
 SIGHT TILL NEXT JULY.

Little Rock, Aug. 19.-Until taxes have been paid in 1914, and the col lectors make their settlement with the state treasurer, the general revenue fund will be depleted and the state virtually on a script basis. With only one county yet to settle, St. Francis, and that one not making any material difference, and with practically all the franchise tax collected, the general revenue fund is dry and there are thousands of dollars outstanding war rants.
 At the first of the present year the state, which pays it's running ex- penses through the general revenue fund, was anywhere from $250,000 to S750, 900 behind, the total depending upon who was asked to estimate it. The administration placed it at near the higher figure, as Governor Joe T. Robinson recommended bond issue of that amount to pay off the out standing indebtedness.
 The legislature then proceeded to make appropriations calling for S3,- 100000 for the two years. None of the items were vetoed by the gover- nor. Against this the income of the state, at the highest estimate, is from all sources which pay into the gen. eral revenue fund, S1,500,000, making $3,O00,000 for the two years, or a deficit of $200,OOO for the biennial period. This must be added to the deficit which had accumulated when Governor Robinson took office.
 When Governor Donaghey assumed office he pruned the biennial appro- priatons to about $1 100000 for each year, which was equal to the revenue received from all sources. He repeat ed this feat at the second meeting of the legislature during his tenure of office, and thus his administration just about kept even, the deficit hav ing originated previous to his inaugu- ration.
 The last legislature made heavy ap- propriations for improvements at the state agricultural schools, the State Normal and the Tuberculosis Sana- torium These buildings are now in the course of erection, and heavy drafts are made upon the treasury to pay for the work as it is completed. It is these buildings which have eX- hausted the general revenue fund, and which will force all holding claims against the state to wait until next July or August for their money.
 In addition to this, the state may lose about SS5,000 in liquor license, which has been always received before in January, and had tided the treas ury over until the sheriffs and collec tors began to advance funds to the treasurer. As the new liquor peti- ton act goes into effect January 1, there may be no liquor license paid in 1914.
 The legislature of 1913 increased the revenue of the state, which goes into the general revenue fund, by about S500,000 annually, but adding expenditures of $600,O00 annually did nothing toward getting the state very far out of debt.
 The next legislature is bound to find deficit of about S7OO,OOO in the gen. eral revenue fund, but by failing to make appropriations for new build ings at any of the state institutions this will be wiped out in two years [ It will also make surplus which may be expended on new buildings at the University of Arkansas, which is the fonly state institution new buildings were denied by the last legislature.