The Little River news., 1915-12-15
HODGES OPENS
 HIS CAMPAIGN
Secretary of State Earle W. Hodges in Race For Governor, Made Open.
 ing Speech Tuesday.

Special to the News.
 Fo,rest City, Dec 14-Hon. Earle w. Hodges, Secretary of State, form ally opened his campaign for gov ernor here this afternoon He outlin- ed his policies at some length, and de- voted great deal of attention to the policies of his opponents, Col Tnc5. C. McRae and Dr. C. H. Brough
 He declared that Dr. Brough is tax mad, and said he had heard it stated by some of his close friends at the University that he will spend $20,0O0 in his race for governor.
 "In his campaign speeches." said MT. Hodges, "the Doctor advocates ,> special tax levy for the University, which means a direct raise in taxes, and also that the University would virtually swim in the peoples money. !n addition to this, he goes on record as fayoring the issuance of interest bearing debt certificates CT bonds, and then follows this up by insisting upon the adoption of the Constitutional am- andment to be submitted to the people at the next General Election, which would allow a possible increase in the school tax of three million dol lars per year, CT six million dollars in the biennial period. Hence it would be possible, should Dr. Brougn be elected, for the people to be ,axeG, over and absTe their present heavy tax burden, at least one million Goi- lars fer the University of Arkansas, another million for the interest bear ing bonds, and at least twelve million dollars for school taxes, making the enormous total of fourteen million dc,lars during his administration of four years" T T Mfr. Hodges called attention to the fact that both Dr. Brough and Col. McRae advocate the issuance of snort term loan notes, as solution of the states financial problems. He saia That if there were any merit In tae suggestion the credit should so to him. since he had advanced the iGea in his last biennial message.
 However, after going into the mat ter thoroughly, he had become con- vinced that it is not necessary to bor- ;ow money for the general revenue fund. With the proper economy In all departments" he said, "and in all the state institutions, and as they arc now being conducted, the general rc- venue fund will be on a cash basis ar- ter next July, and on it's feet to stay. As your governor I shall insis: that first thirty days of the Legislative ses- sion, and am going to make it a point to work in such harmony with the General Assembly, and keep the members in such good humor that they will do. their work promptly and not take up their time quarreling with the governor"
 MT. Hedges declared that if he has a real hobby, it is for the construction of good roads, and he will advocate more road work and modern equipment and methods. He commenced the work of the State Highway Depart ment.
 After reviewing briefly his own pub lie career-born on farm and edu- cated in country print-shop. MT. Hedges expressed high ideals for the future of his native state, and declared that. what the state needs now at the head of it's affairs is mot dreamers nor drifters, nor men who have been tried in public office fer eighteen years and can show no results except an enormous accumulation of wealth"
 He paid high tribute to the faru,- CTS of the state, and commended the agricultural schools, which are reach tug worthy class of young men and women not reached by any other  school. He said he would appoint no man on the Agricultural school board who is not tiller of the soil, and em- phasized strongly that he is in favor of these institutions
 He said that Dr. BrcMgh, in advo- eating that the University be taken out of politics. would get if in daane- and said:
 The elevation of Dr. Brough to the office of Governor would mean the vir. taal absorption of he four agricultur- al s'.hools by the State University and would sound the death knell tc, thu ropes end ambitions of the farmer boys src girls of the state who desire 2 rasStical education at home. The