The Forrest City times., 1914-06-26
B|G REDUCTION IN
 TAXES PROMISED
BRIEF ISSUED ON ACT NO. 3 SAYS PEOPLE WILL PROFIT BY
 ITS ADOPTION.
NEWSPAPER MEN BOOST IT
Why Voters Should Make 1t State Law.

The Publicity Committee of the Ar kansas Press Association has just is sued a 32-page briet in behalf of Act No. 5. known as the Publicity Bill, which will be voted upon under the hi tiatiye and Referendum at the Septem- ber election. This measure was mi hated by the Press Association with the signatures of 1892 voters to the initiative petition, only 13,600 sigma lures being necessary under the l. & 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 of the provisions of Act No 3, it's needs ,nd benefits as seen by the Arkansas Press Association.
 The brief begins with an admission ,n the part of the newspaper men of the state of their interest in the bill, but points out that the benefits that will accrue to the state are vast in comparison with the benefits to the press" A thorough and frank discus sion of each section of the bill is given 10 the public together with an esti- mate of the cost but the newspaper men believe that the bill will reduce father than increase taxes, by elimi- ,atng graft and extravagance and 6utting property on the tax rolls which hitherto has gone unassessed.
 The brief, in part, follows:
 Newspapers Financially Interested.
 The newspaper men of Arkansas admit their interest in Act No 3. 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 the best interest of the state, and will continue to do so They have condemned treachery in matters of legislation. as well as in other official circles, and they have consistently sought to in- form 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 any private interests which might be involved, are all matters which the people should know, and the Press of the state is not yet ready to turn from It's practice of informing the public hlly and accurately. Therefore, we come to the people with an open and frank declaration that we, who initia- ted Act No 3, are financially inter- ested in it.
 What Is tho extent of that interest?
 Act No. 3 provides that all publi- cations made unCer 1t shall be made in the newspapers, and that the newspa- pers shall be paid for this service. In other words, the newspaper men of arkansas are seeking to sell the state some Of their advertising space. The purpose Of this brief is 10 tell you now and why. The question for you 'o declde is whether or not you want the space
 People Also Interested
 hu' while the newspaper men will proflt from the operations of Act No.
 
 p'olIl The benefits that will accrue Nne state are vast in comparison "''h the benefits to the Press. The he"Spapers will give the state value looeiVed. They are not asking for e'"C They have proposed in Act No. lar exchange of advertising space 'o' some Of the peoples money, trade "hich they believe will be the most p'0liable investment the State of Ar ""neaS ever made. If the Press did not believe Act No. 3 was a good in ,eSNmeht for Arkansas. the Press .oul" be the last institution in the o'"'e 10 propose and urge it upon the people"
 nere the brief indulges in a casual ..'ieW of the history and development
 Arkansac and of the part the news 'ai,trS have played in that progress.
 III presenting Act No. 3, the news p"pers are not asking the state to .l"Ne publications simply to provide e'enue Tor the Press. but they are N'N'ng the state to publish in the 1e"spapers the information which the peOple should have. and which the p00pie want; information which often .. ,.C'pes newspaper comment because
 10 shlelded from the public for va ouS and ofttimes mysterious reasons; a'ornation which will put the grafter iilsht and result in an enormous sN'ing to the taxpayers of Arkansas
 uiVerting thousands of dollars an- .ually into the treasury of the people, ao"i the hands of thieves and plunder- and other unholy channels of no Benefit 10 the state
 ignorance and darkness make the