Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-03-14
Sane, Bordering on Riot
as, Precipitated at coun-
Gil Meeting.
n oFC. COMMITTEE
REFUSED HEARING
ALBANIAN We'll and Mayor Exchange
Commitments (O, But the Alderman
Sticks to His Guns, Getting Moral
Support from Simpson.

BECAUSE objection by one member
Of the council is sufficient to with
hold the privilege of the floor from
anv outsider, Alderman Ben We'll last
Won't prevented the committee from
the chamber of commerce from hav-
ing hearing on the occupation tax
ordinance.
other members of the council were
willing for the committee to be heard,
several of them stated even that thev
were anxious to hear The callers, but
Mr.. We'll insisted on his object on,
and the committeeman remained
merely as interested spectators.
Mr.. Wells objection was to the
members of the committee as repre-
s:ntatiyes of the chamber OF COM
MERGE, He expressed his willingness
to hear any one or more of them indl-
yidually, if they happened to be taxed
und.r the occuation tax ordinance.
None Of the members Of the commit
tee showed any inclination to take
advantage of The point made by Mr..
We'll,
(DTUdF Ill VIItMUcIs
Mr. Wells objection was followed
by statement by mayor Simon
Bloom. and Mayor Blooms statement
was followed by an uproar, which
lasted nearly ten minutes, and which
was abated only when Aldermen
Franey and McGibboney prevailed
upon Mr.. We'll to take his seat and be
quiet, thus to avoid being elected by
Chief Of Police Frank Stewart, at the
order of the mayor.
In his statement. Mayor Bloom an
nounced that it was the first time
in the three years that he has been
mayor, that any citizen of Pine Bluff
has been refused the privilege of the
floor in the council chamber.
Gentlemen of the chamber of COM
merce, l am ashamed that we have an
alderman who would take such a
stand, and # were in your position
| would say adieu to Mr.. WE'LL, and
leave"
Mr.. We'll was on his feet in flash,
and shouted that the mayor had no
right to make such statements. He
was interrupted by the mayor, who
ruled him. out Of order. Mr.. We'll
continued to shout-in the effort to
be heard over the noise made by the
pounding of the gavel on the mayors
desk-and finally the mayor called for
the chief of police, and ordered Mr..
Wei elected.
Chief Stewart sought to quiet Mr..
We'll. but without avail. Aldermen
Franey and McGibboney added their
Efforts, while Mr.. We'll continued to
Voice his sentiments and the mayor
continued 10 use the gavel. Finally,
MT. We'll resumed his seat. The other
aldermen did likewise, and Chief
stewart retired. Then Mr.. We'll de-
handed that he be heard.
There is nothing before the house"
said the mayor 49,.
Il appeal from the ruling of the
cnair," said Mr.. We'll, who offered 4
motion that he be given the pr vi
iegs' of the floor. This was granted
MN, whereupon he made an impas-
stoned talk, stating the occupation
.ax is badly needed to prevent the
olty rom becoming burdened with an
increasing deficit.
Says $4,000 Overdue.
Mr.. We'll said there are outstanding
warrants aggregating approximately
N6'OoO, which must be paid, and it Is
me duty of the council to make an
EFFORT to take them up.
Inc chamber of commerce will not
settle this Indebtedness" he said, "the
vouncil must do it. 1t is not right that
we people who hold these warrants
SHOULD have to carry them year or
maybe two years. l, for one, will not
ue alctated to by the chamber of COM
.aerce, and l do not intend to allow
mem to dictate to me-"
,Ee closed by announcing that he
sted On his objection to granting
'ae privilege of the floor to the COM
ml'tee. reiterating that he would be
slad to hear any individual who was
aaxed by the proposed ordinance.
\, alderman Franey said undoubtedly
W.T. We'll was "little worked up
aucut THIS matter. and he would per-
sonally urge Mr.. We'll to reconsider