Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-06-29
RUSHING WORK. I. 81.
ON ANgt-PR0.
Law PETITION
Opponents of State wide En-
ergetic in Efforts to Re-
peal Measure.
(By Clio Harper.)

by CllO T1dTpeI.J
Little Rock, June 26.-The circula-
ton of the petitions for the initiation
of an act to repeal the statewide pro-
hibition law is being pushed by its
promoters. They are securing many
signatures, but doubt is expressed
whether they will be able to secure
the requisite number Of little less
than II, 900 names by July II, the last
day on which the petition may be
filed.
The old-time leaders in the saloon
fight of the past are not active in the
movement, for most of them have
gone into other lines of business
which they find more renumerative
and more respectable, and the others
have moved from the state. The bust
ness men Of the city, many Of whom
favored licensed saloons, are opposed
to return to former conditions, de-
claring that their business is better
and collections much larger than
formerly. A strong appeal is being
made to the negroes for their support
OF the movement and it is being given
very generally. Paid workers and
former bar-tenders are going about
among the negroes urging them to go
out and circulate the petitions, and
they are responding very generally.
1t is not believed that the money
for the campaign is coming from Ar
kansas, but that it is being furnished
by the brewing interests of other
states who are anxious to restore this
state to their market. Some men who
have heretofore been identified with
the saloon propaganda are interested
in the management of the campaign,
and they are sending the blank petit
tions to workers all over the state,
that they may make whirlwind cam
paign and cleanup" in few days,
before any organized opposition can
develop.
Not since 1898, when the Spanish
American war called out two regi-
ments of the Arkansas state guard,
as it was known at that time, has the
spirit been so strong in Ar
kansas as it is today. There has been
some difficulty in recruiting the two
regiments of the national guard to the
full war strength, because, apparent
ly, the country does not yet fully
realize the gravity of the situation.
Those who are interested actively in
the mobilization of the troops are en-
thusiastic and look with slight favor
upon the "slackers" who have no
family ties to deter. them from enlist
ing. In some rare instances, much
feeling has been aroused by the slight
ing remarks made by those too
cowhrdly to enlist themselves, and
lacking in sufficient patriotism to see
the unselfish sacrifice of others.
It is expected that the Arkansas
troops will begin moving toward the
border the latter part of this week,
as it seems probable that they will
be moved in smaller units than regi-
ments for patrol duty. Regulars will
probably be thrown into the interior,
and the guardsmen employed in
border patrol.
Many are seeking to secure release
from the service, but few are sue
ceeding. Only extraordinary cause
will secure releases, on account of the
difficulty in securing recruits. One
instance came up last week that illus
trates. Three brothers in an Eastern
Arkansas town were enlisted in the
same company. They have a widowed
mother wholly dependant upon them
for support. She interceded with the
authorities to have one of her boys
stay at home while the other two went
to the front. Believing that two sons
given to the cause were enough, the
military authorities granted her re-
request.
An effort will be made in the next
Ia OF, 70 rny,oo1 %ho ro%v, occoI hxy
the last general assembly for the con-
solidation of elections. Although it
has not yet been put into effect, and
the first election under the new lav.
will be held next November, there is
much dissatisfaction expressed among
political leaders over the change.
Secretary of State Earl w. Hodges,
who will retire from politics at least
temporarily, January l, to enter the
life insurance business, says that he
is opposed to the consolidation of
state with federal elections, and that
he will do what he can for it's repeal.
He sees in it an element of danger in
the injection of the negro into state
elections, and is convinced that the
actual harm that will result will far
outweigh any theoretic benefits. He
says that friend of his will introduce
the repeal bill, and that he will give it
all his influence. It promises to be a
warm fight, for consolidation has
some very arden advocates, as we'll as
vigorous opponents. The proposition
had been defeated many times in the
legislature before its final enactment
into law by the session of 1915.
PLANNING BIG GARAGE.