The Harrison times., 1915-01-09
STATE CAPITAL NEWS.

duSdS, III OJuGI lldI lHC ram OduS
may at least beGumc sell sustaining
No information is given as to the
increase in freight rate desired, but
it is probable that it will exceed the
old Tariff, No. 3, making it practi-
callv what the railroads were
permitted to charge under the Court
Tariff which was an increase of
about SO IS per cent. As for pass
enger rates, they will probably be
raised from two to two and a half
cents per mile if the bill presented is
adopted.
One of the most prominent rail-
road men of Arkansas, and one who
is not connected with a railroad
now in litigation with the state, is
authority for the statement that if
the railroads are forced to pay the
rebates claimed against them, that
several will go Immediately into the
hands of a receiver The roads
referred to are the big systems Of the
State. This official declares that an
increase in the rates is the only way
these railroads may earn enough
money to pay the rebates which
are claimed, and which the courts
have yet to finally pass upon,
At the last session of the legisla.
ture bill placing the passenger
rates at two and halt cents per
mile could have been adopted with
ease, but the rate litigation was
then in the Federal court, and
neither side cared to accept a com
promise for the State had hopes Of
putting the rate back to two cents,
and the railroads were confident they
could maintain the three, cent rate,
Many members Of the legislature
have expressed themselves as still
being willing to pass a two and a
half cent rate, and in all probability
the railroads will grasp the op.
portunity this time.
If those who are now threatening
dire things for ccratain state
departments carry out their pet
schemes in the legislative session,
the time OF the General Assembly
will be largely taken up with inves-
legations and attempts to abolish
other departments Members Of the
legislature have intimatcd that two
departments Of the State, at least
are booked for thorough investiga'
tions, while three Others will either
under 90 changes or be abolished,
The nature Of the charges against
state officials have not been di,
yulgcd and many consider the state.
ments already made 20 be mere idle
Boosting, but it is generally ad.
mttcd that the coming session Of
the legislature will present more in
the way Of politics than any session
since the days Of the Brooks'Baxter
frolic.
That there will be a hard fight
to repeal the Going anti.liQuor bill is
certain, at least so far as the pro-
vision requiring the pctitioning in Of
the saloons every year is concerned,
There are also indications that the
session generally is to be rather
literally inclined, There will be a
bill introduced TO lcgal1e horse
racing at Hot Springs,
Little Rock is still rs dry rs a chip
that has been long in an attic, with
indications that it will remain that
way for some time, The same may
be said for Argcnta, but the saloon.
lists there will be in no rush for
license this year. trying out their
cases in circuit court before they
open, and in this way prevent the
loss Of license money should the
appeal be decided against them
The Little Rock petition is yet short
of the required number, but the
saloon men are busy and expect 20
be able to open by Feb, !, or soon
after. The tendency in most Ark'
unsos towns where liquor is TO
he sold, is now to reduce the number
of saloons, This is being done by
agreement among the saloonists,
It is reported that Fort Smith will
in this manner reduce from II to 20
saloons II license is granted
Two years after the ontrtipplng
bill became a law q real crusade 10
have it enforced will be inNugurOtcd,
The Arkansas Travellers are organ
izing such a campaign, and they cN.
pcet to have il terminate successfully
through the determination 60 have
every hclcl or restaurant proprietor
ot the state arrested who permits
this violation of the state law,
President w. G. Norman has now
committees work gathering inlurmN,