Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-02-04
Retaliatory Tactics Being Indulged in by Both
 Branches of Legislature.
LABOR VS. RAILROADS
Representatives of Organized Labor Present Numerous Measures, While Cabaniss Hits Back by Bill t0 Pro-
 hibit ''Drinking" by Trainmen.
(By IA. w. Parke.)

Woek ol lHe 1eSlSlatlVe SeSslOn lOuHu the prohibition question still unset tied, and a barrier to the passage Of much important Legislation, it beiag a case of tho drys and the vets de voting their time to watching one another, and fearful that every mea ure was going to bring the situation to a crisis. Thus lar the only align ment in the general assembly mas been on tnis one question, wet vs dry. No new leaders have develop. ed, and the legislature has not ex. erted it's strength, but this will come as soon as the liquor question Is set tied. Then Legislation will come with a rush.
 So far no bills of real importance have been passed by either house and vicious legislation has found trouble in gaining headway. Tho railroads and large corporations have So far fared we'll. with the indica- tions that the condition will last through the session. It is true that the house declined to entertain a j. cont rate bill, but the senate would
 
 measure The house came right bill, and giving it much encourage ment. The senate will no doubt re- taliate with a Scent rate bill, giving the railroads the chance to be heard stbat was denied them in the house. Then if the measures are passed by the houses in which they are intro duced, the other branch will be more cCnsiderate with it. The railroads have gained considerable sympathy since the house declined to permit the bill providing for Scent fares to be read second time, and practical fly every big convention which mas been held in Little Rock during the past TWO weeks has passed resolu- tions asking the assembly to be len. sient in dealing with the railroads. lIarrassing Railroads.
 N Many of the bills so far introduced which affect the railroads are mere sly for the purpose of harrassment, and to keep the legislature from de- voting attention to bigger things. Most of these measures are prepared by the labor unions, copsed from laws or other states, and So far the only retaliafory measure is that by Senator Cabiness of Howard, who has introduced bill to prohibit drinking on the part of trainmen. They are prohibited. under this bill. {: to drink while on or off duty, and tho < company employing them is liable to fine if it does not instantly dis : charge them. This measure has the support of the majority of the sen ate and will no doubt become a law.
 Other measures yet to come alons this line are one which will reduce Pullman fare to any point in Arkan sas, for a lower berth, to $1 and one which will reduce the cost of ten word telegrams within the state to 15 cents.ls
 The rapid introduction of bills has ceased. and will remain in such q condition until final action has been taken on many of the measures now before the assembly. In the future the consideration ofthe appropriation bills will consume the time of the bodies, but the last two weeks will see some bills offered, making radi- cal changes in affairs of state, the authors, counting upon the rush cf Legislation to tide them through, a minority at that time being able to block all other matters unless it is catered to.
 State Aid to Schools Dead.
 State aid to high schools is dead issue, or will be within a few days for the senate, like the house, ap- X pears to be for the repeat of this act ! The rural districts seem to feel that < their common school funds have been diverted to the schools of the towns or cities. without apparent improve ment sufficient to reward them fol the change
 <. So far in the senate debate on this subject, Senator Slaughter is the only one from rural community who has stood up for state aid. He resides in Palestine, St. Francis county, and declares that the present plan has resulted in the erection ol many high schools in the rural com munities, and that if it .comes to g question of giving up the least i'm portant, it would be better to part with the higher institutions of learn ing. Senator Slaughter is in the hopeless psinority.
 The publicity act was under fire 1uSL 4NCCA q iAAiioCti Ol t1ihNSs but AAAN opposition was more personal thar against the merits of the bill. Tht Y fight has been renewed again this week, but it is desultory and will end in some changes in the bill, bu, ( these changes will be offered anf < forced through by the advocates o < publicity, who desire to make of No 3 a perfect bit of legislation, and no1 gs freed upon tie press by it's enemies The placing of the printing arising E under this act will be let by the etate printing board instead of the secretary of state, but competitive bids will not be considered. nor vii the papers have to attach the price < to bs paid for each publication, 3: < required by ancth"r bill which IS now pending,