The Brinkley argus., 1914-07-03
bI6 RtUuCIIOA IN
 TAXES PROMISED
BRIEF ISSUED ON ACT NO. 3 SAYS PEOPLE WILL PROFIT BY
 ITS ADOPTION.
NEWSPAPER MEN BOOST IT
Frankly Admit Their Interest and Ie'l Why Voters Should Make
 State Law.

bueu oZ-pdSo pAlct III DSh ~ No. 8, known as the Publicity blll which will be voted upon under the lni tiative and Referendum at the Septem Der election. This measure was ini tiated by the Press Association witf the signatures of 17,S92 voters to the initiative petition, only 13,6O0 sigma lures being necessary under the l. 6 R. Amendment No. 10.
 The brief just issued is In the form of an address to the voters of Arkan sas, and is an exhaustive review ol the provisions of Act No. 3, It's neeos and benefits as seen by the Arkansas Press Association.
 The brief begins with an admission on the part of the newspaper men oi the state of their interest in the bill but points out that "the benefits that will accrue to the state are vast III comparison with the benefits to the press" A thorough and frank discus sion of each section of the bill Is given to the public, together with an esti' mate of the cost, but the newspaper men believe that the bill will reduce rather than increase taxes, by elimi- hating graft and extravagance and putting property on the tax rolls which has gone unassessed.
 The brief, in part, follows:
 Newspapers Financially interested
 "The newspaper men of Arkansas admit their interest in Act No. 5. They will profit by it financially. if adopted by the people. The Arkansas Press Association has no disposition to shield it's interest. Arkansas news papers have always stood for theMest interest of the state, and will cont 5ue 10 do so. They have condep led ,reachery in matters of legislation as we'll as in other official circles, and they have consistently sought to in 'orm the people accurately on every question of public interest The origin of, and the motive for. any public proposition, it's evils or benefits, and my private interests which might be involved, are all matters which the people should know. and the Press of he state is not yet ready to turn from 'ully and accurately. Therefore, we come to the people with an open and rank declaration that we, who initia- ed Act No 3. are financially inter- ,sted in it.
 What Is rne extent Of that interest? :?
 "Act No. 3 provides that all publi- cations made uncer 1t shall be made in he newspapers, and that the newspa- ,ers shall be paid for this service. In other words. the newspaper men of Arkansas are seeking to sell the state ome of their advertising space. The purpose of this brief Is to tell you low and why. The question for you o decide Is whether or not you want he space.
 People Also Interested.
 But while the newspaper men will profit from the operations of Act No. ,, the people of Arkansas will also 'rofit. The benefits that will accrue 0 the State are vast in comparison with the, benefits to the Press. The lewspapers will give the state value eceived.' They are not asking for raft They have proposed in Act No.
 fair exchange of advertising space or some of the peoples money. a trade which they believe will be the most profitable investment the State of Ar Iarsas ever made. If the Press did lot believe Act No. 3 was good in Iestment for Arkansas, the Press would be the last institution in the 'tate to propose and urge 1t upon the ,ecple."
 Here the brief indulges in casual 'eview of the history and development 'f Arkansas and of the part the news papers have played in that progress. t also discusses the duty of the state 0 it's Press and the duty of the Press o its state. Further along it says:
 The Press Must Be Free.
 The Fayetteville Daily said recently n discussion of Act No 3. What Arkansas most needs is free and in iependent, Press and an economical administration of the affairs of state The 5est way to insure an economical administration of affairs Is to rout ho srafters through publicity. And me of the good ways to make the Press free and independent Is for the public to support it Loyalty, so that 1t will be at 10 time dependent upon or .empted to turn to, designing politi- clans and other evil influences for it's existence.
 But, to be free and Independent, he Press needs no patronage for which Il cannot render value received It asks the state to incur no expense that should not be incurred It coun sels the closest economy, and advises no publicity at public expense that the state should not have, and that it's are not entitled to- It Is asking that the state recognize the newspapers by having such pubHfca- lions. as it reGuires, made in the msws- papers of Arkansas. rather than through other mediums wnicn may take the money out of the state and result in poor service to the people.
 ''In presenting Act No. 3, the news papers are not asking the state to make publications simply to provide revenue for the Press. but they are asking the state to publish in the newspapers the information which the people should have. and which the people want; information which often escapes newspaper comment because 1t is shielded from the public for va