The Harrison times., 1915-03-13

mittee opposed the Griffin bill, which
did not provide FOR a tax raise, and
favored the Armstrong bill, which
does increase the rate. 1t seems
that many Of the members were
afraid they couldn't explain" when
they got home if they voted for a
bill to borrow money. Others did
not think the Griffin plan would
work out and repay the loan, but
Mr.. Griffin presented figures to
show that it would. What the
House will do with the Armstrong
bill is uncertain, but chances are
against its passage. If it fails, the
state revenues will be in a hopeless
condition for the next two years,
with danger of state warrants
dropping to 70 cents on the dollar.
Those who favor settling the
revenue problem now and saving the
state credit declare it will be a lot
harder to 90 back and explain why
the legislature spent GO days and
left the state "in the hole than to
explain their vote on a loan bill or
even an increase in the tax levy,
During the week the House put its
. foot down on any increase in the
railroad passenger rates, but it was
evident that sentiment is not nearly
so severe against an increase as it
was a few months ago, and many
members believe till yet that the
whole proposition ought to be re.
considered, and if an increase is not
given the railroads outright, they at
least ought to have the right to
make a showing before the railroad
commission Some of the leading
House members denounced in most
emphatic terms the practice OF
Jumping on railroads. Just because
/ they are railroads,
The new state charities board bill
went through both houses was
signed by Governor Hayes and the
new members appointed, os follows
lanes Surridge, OF Walnut Ridge,
for the 6.ycar term, and l., l.
Cotlmon, Harrison, 2'ycar term
w. NJ. Hall Camden, 4'year term
The old state board is abolished and
the new members are placed on q
salary OF $1,000 per year and re-
qured to give their entire time to
the institutions Mr., Goldman was
formerly state auditor, and resigned
to accept the job as commissioner
He was succeeded by Dr. NJ, +, Dick
iuson, appointed by Governor Hays
DR.. Dickinson was secretary OF tb'
state highway department. He has
already qualified as the new state
auditor Gov Hayes also appoint
ed Capt, John r. Burkctt, of Cam
den, a member Of the penitcntiory
commission, to succeed T, T. Murrey
of Little Rock Capt Burkett has
been confirmed by the legislature,
On the appointment Of Mr. Coh
mau, however Il strong fight
developed, and when his name came
up in the Senate Saturday there was
debate over his confirmation, The
Senate was in executive session all
day Saturday on n list OF the
Governors appointees, Mr., CoIlmoo
being among them, The opposition
appears to have been caused largely
by some serious charges filed against
Mr. Conman by his former deputy,
+ O, s, Refill who declared that
Mr. Conman had levied tribute on
his clerks for campaign expenses in
/ the last election, that he had carried
on u brokerage business in the
auditors office on outstanding state
warrants for personal gain, and
/ that he had been guilty Of base in,
gratitude in rcsigning aud leopard
izing the position Of those who had
aided in his election Mr., Co0man
entered a general denial to the
charges, but he was not called before
/ the Senate to testify in his own
behalf,
With regard to the new charities
board, a new appropriation bill vii
have to be passed for their support
carrying about 100000
The legislature has decided 60 kccI
| the investigating committees on th,
job until they get through with
every state department. and institu
/ tion, The second installment of the
special auditing committees report
was filed with the legislature last
| week, covering Investigations made
by the expert accountants IA the
state department OF mines aud aRfl'
cultural, It showed that about Ss,'
900 had been held back by the de,
partmcnt since 1919 aud was paid
in after the legislature convened
| This had bepn held ont, the report