The Green Forest tribune., 1915-02-19

electric Hght, water, gas ana street railway companies from it's provisions, which will place the bill in a much more favorable attitude, both with the public utility corporations, but with the cities in which they operate, for the bill, as drawn, would take all franchise rights from the cities and towns of Arkansas and place it with the Commission.
 The question of a Constitutional Convention was not considered ser iously until 1t was found out Oil the floor of the house last week and pass ed. Now the senatorial wiseacres are scratching their heads to determine whether or not they favor a revision of the ancient foundation for govern ment upon which the state has stood for so many years. The only fear they have is that the right kind of men will not offer for membership in this con- vention, and that the constitution, pre- pared by politicians and weddings, would be travesty. It is realized on the other hand, that the constitution is a bit out of date, and growing more so each year. and that this risk will have to be taken sooner or later so it might as well come now.
 The real evidence of the strength or sentiment in favor of a Constitutional Convention is displayed in the an- nouncement of well known citizens of Arkansas for appointments within the convention. James G. Higgins, assis- tant chief clerk of the house, and for a number of terms the chief clerk. is the first of them all to announce as a candidate for secretary of the con- vention
 Eighty-five delegates to the conven- tion are provided, one from each coup- ty and ten from the state at large. If the bill passes the convention will be held in the fall, so real campaign would open in Arkansas right after the close of the legislative session.
 The Garret bill to extend the time of payment of taxes until fall, in or der to give relief to the land owners who have suffered by present financial conditions, has met with determined opposition in the Senate, and instead Of being considered as life saver. 1t is considered there as a means to so befuddle the conditions of Arkansas that 1t will be impossible to straighten them again. The Judiciary Committee made no recommendation on the bill. III returning 1t to the Senate, because the members of the committee were not bound to stand by a report. Had recommendation been demanded. if would have been given against the passage of the bill
 It IS argued that the delay of tax collection until fall would prevent the school districts from geeting their money with which to open schools. l partlcularly those Of the country, which are operated in the summer tune. Efforts have been made to re- lleve this situation. for conditions are so bad in certain sections that they must be assisted. If the statewide olll does not pass, many counties will ask for this relief.
 There is a disposition on the mart or the members to quit at the expira- ton Of the siXty-day session and go home. As one of the representatives, expressed himself on the floor of the house, The people have said they wanted us to work only 60 days, and so Tar as l am concerned, that is all l propose to work. If we cannot fnish the business in that time, it is not our fault. We will do the best we can. I am opposed to night sessions. too he cause that is when the committees do most of their work, and really some or the most important legislation is done in the committee rooms" All sessions of the committee 1n- vest1gating the Charity Board are exe- cut1ve, and the proceedings will not be published.
 The visiting committee will recon. mend $13O,0OO for the Tuberculosis eanltorlum, instead of the $90,OOO ask. ed for by the Board of Trustees.
 No further efforts will be made to secure relief from the General Assem. Diy so that Pine Bluff may have liouor licenses for the balance of the year according to well informed politician or thls city He states that the Ii. quor men fear that such action would result In a ten-mile act for Little Rock.