The Brinkley argus., 1914-08-21
B|G REDUCTION IN
 TAXES PROMISED
BRIEF ISSUED ON ACT NO. SAYS PEOPLE WILL PROFIT BY
 ITS ADOPTION.
NEWSPAPER MEN BOOST IT
Frankly Admit Their Interest ana 'e'' Why Voters Should Make U
 State Law.

Tho Publicity Committee of the AT kansas Press Association has 1ust is sued a 32-page brief in behalf of Ac' No. 8. known as the Publicity Bill which will be voted upon under the hi tiative and Referendum at the Septem Der election. This measure was ini tiatsd by the Press Association with tho signatures of l7,S92 voters to the initiative petition, only 13,600 sigma. lures being necessary under the l. x R. Amendment No. 10.
 The brief just issued is in the form of sn address to the voters of Arkan' sas, and is an exhaustive review of the provisions of Act No. 3. It's needs and benefits as seen by the Arkansas Press Association.
 Tho brief begins with an admission on the part of the newspaper men ol the state of their interest in the bill. but points out that ''the benefits that will accrue to the state are vast m conparison 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 est1- mate of the cost, but the newspaper men believe that the bill will reduce rather than increase taxes. by elimi- mating graft and extravagance and putting 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. 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 1t.
 What is tne extent of that interest :?
 "Act No. 3 r-ovides that all publi- cations made uncer 1t shall be made in the newspaperB. 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 tho 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 3 fair exchange of advertising space 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 did not believe Act No. was good in- vestment for Arkansas, the Press would be the last institution in the state to propose and urge 1t upon the people"
 Here the brief indulges in a casual review of the history and development of Arkansas and of the part the news papers have played in that progress It also discusses the duty of the state to it's Press and the duty of the Press to its state. Further along 1t says:
 The Press Must Be Free.
 The Fayetteville Daily said recently in a discussion of Act No. 8. What Arkansas most needs is a free and in- dependent Press and an economical administration of tho affairs of state The st way to insure an economical administration of affairs Is to rout the grafters through publicity And one of the good ways to make the Press free and independent is for the public to support 1t loyally. so thnt 1t will be at 10 time dependent upon. or tempted 10 turn to. designing politi- clans and other evil influences for its existence
 But. to be free and independent. the Press neecs no patronage for which 1t cannot render value received It asks the state 10 incur no expense that should not be incurred It coun- Bels tho closest economy, and advises no publicity at public expense that the state should not have. and that It's constituents are not entitled to. It Is asking that the state recognize the newspapers by having such publica. tons. as it requires. made in the news 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.
 Tn presenting Act No. 8. the news papers are not asking the state te make publications simply to provide revenue for the Press. but they art asking the state to publish in the newspapers the information which the people should have. and which the people want; information which ofter