The Brinkley argus., 1914-08-07
BIG REDUCTION IN
 TAXES PROMISED
BRIEF ISSUED ON ACT NO. 3 SAYS PEOPLE WILL PROFIT BY
 ITS ADOPTION
NEWSPAPER MEN BOOST I
Frankly Admit Their Interest and Tell Why Voters Should Make 's
 State Law.

!
 Why Voters Should Make Is
 State Law.
 | The Publicity Committee of the AT kansas Press Association has just IT. sued a 32-page brief in behalf of Act No. 3, known as the Publicity Ell 1 which will be voted upon under the ini- tfative and Referendum at the Septem 1 ber election. This measure was inl- l tiated by the Press Association with the signatures of 1z,s92 voters to the initiative petition, only 13.600 signa- 1 lures being necessary under tne l. ~ l R. Amendment No. 10.
 The brief just issued is in the form of m address to the voters or Arkan. sas, and is an exhaustive revle" oi the provisions of Act No. 3, its needs and benefits as seen by the Arkansas Press Association
 Tho brief begins with an admission on the part of the newspaper men oi the state of their interest In the p'il, hut points out that "the benefits that will accrue to the state are vast III comparison with the benefits 10 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 eliml-' hating graft and extravaganza ana pastfng property on the tax rolls which hitherto has gone unassessed.
 The brief, h part, follows:
 Newspapers Financially interested.
 "The newspaper men of Arkansas admit their interest in Act No. 5. They will profit by 1t 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 fully 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 fs mo extent of that interest?
 "Act No. 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 to tell you how and why The question for you to decide is whether or not you want the space.
 People Also interested.
 But while the newspaper men will profit from the operations of Act No :, the people of Arkansas will also profit The benefits that will accrue to the State are vast in comparison with the benefits to the Press. The newspapers will give the state value received They are not asking for graft. They have proposed in Act No < , 2 fair exchange or ai vt!.sirss .~,ace for some of the peoples money, a trade which they believe will be the most profitable investment the State of Ar kansas ever made. If the Press dis' not believe Act No. was good in yestment for Arkansas, the Press would be the last institution in tho state 10 propose and urge 1t upon the pee plc'
 Here the brief mdulges in casual review of the history and development of Arkansas and of the part tho news papers have played in that progress h also discusses the duty of the state to its Press snd tho duty of the Press to its state. Further along it says:
 ne Proso Must 30 Free.
 ~The Fayetteville Daily said recently in discussion of Act No. 2. What Arkansas most needs is a free and in dependent Press and an economical administration of the affairs of state. Ihs st way to insure an economical administration of affairs is to rout tho graftcrs through publicity. And one of the good ways to make the Press free and independent is for tEe public to support 1t loyally. so that t will be at no tilne dependent upon. or tempted to turn to. designing politi- clans and other evfl influences for its existence
 "Dut. to be free and independent. the Press needs no patronage for which II 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 constituents arc not entitled to. It is asking that the state recognize the newspapers by having such pnblica- dons. as 1t requires. made in the news- I papers of Arkansas. rather than 1 through other mediums wnicn may 1 take the money out of the state and result in poor service to the people.
 Tn presentinn Act No. 8. the news