Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-02-04
40 Persons Protest Against Action of Mass Meeting
 in Naming Committee.
S. c. ALEXANDER
 PROMPTLY RESIGNS
Deploring "Uncomplimentary and Un- called fOr' Criticism of Members of Committee, One Member De-
 clines to Serve.

The action of the mass meeting Wednesday,, in naming citizens committee to study ways and means o' doing away with the recurren' flonds in the old lakebed section of the city, was the subject yesterday of considerable conpnisnt, arguments being heard on all sides, for and against the proposed plan for the formation of an improvement district.
 The talk made by Alex Powell, in urging that nothing whatever be done, and that the entire matter be allowed to remain as it is until the subsidencs of the flood. appears to have met with response from some property owners. while others were equally as insistent that nothing could be harmed by naming the citi- zens' committee, which could study ways and means, and have some- thing definite to put before the peo- pie when another mass meeting is called, in two or three weeks.
 e Attack Meetings Action.
 A published card, Tearing sigma lures of number of residents of East Pine Bluff, some in the area ncw submerged, and some outside of if, said in part.
 "Mr Rowell asked the meeting to wait until we could be present and join with them in their dsliberation, but the ',reeting did not see fit to do so. Scme members of the committee we think are alright, but some are not at all satisfactory to us There are some mlan that can fool the peo- rle at certain timos and get by. but if the people have been once fooled. those same men cannot be instru- mental in another movement and secure the approval of the people.
 We advise the people not tae sign any paper looking to forning a dis trict until we have another meeting in which the people who will have to pay the taxes will be represented It was stated by one speaker yesterday tlSa} the cost of the improvement would not exceed thirty-five thousand dcllars; we are reliably informed that the drainage district to carry the water away from Pine Bluff is esti- mated alone to cost over one hundred and twenty-five thousand dSllars. Again, it is a serious question as to just what is best, as certain improve ments might prove in the long run more detrimental to us than the pres ent condition, and we regret that this meeting was called within only AS hours notice, could not have been postponed until WE could have time to think mere about the situation.
 "We want all thinking people to think and let's be careful what we do. Rerember that before our bridge was built, it was said by good men tha. there would net be bridge un- less we secured g trunk-llne railroad. We now have the bridge with the tax on us, but no railroad. Certainly. In d matter as serious as this to all of us in the East End and t2 fhe entire city and county, we do not want any more misrepresentations. nor do we want any more men connected With this enterprise thas have been cen nected with any misreprese sentations.
 Mir. Alexander Resigns.
 The following letter to the editor O. The Graphic last night. following the publication ef the protest, Is self explanatory, and it is said other m embers of the citizens committee are conte mplating the same action:
 Editor, The Graphic.
 q hame just read a Notice to the Public in the Commercial.
 Ut is very uncomplimentary and uncalled for.
 "I was not at the mass meeting that appointed me on this commlttee r,o investigate ways and means for protecting the city in future from the floods.
 "I regret such harsh criticism of the good Ien and substantial cltlzans vho compose this ccmmittee. It is an honor unsought by me, and l refuse to serve. Yours respectfully.
 "S. c. ALEXANDER"
 Signers of the Card.
 The "card," which supports MT. Rcwsll's contention, which is so un- kind as to cast apersions upon mem- bers of the citizens committee, anu which threatens the success of pro feet that means so much to the me and hsalth of East Pine Bluff. bears the names of the following:
 J. E. Baker. c. B. Cornwell, H.~J. Pc erson, R. c. Martin, A. D. Bland, A. H. Martin. K. J. Sacconi. R. J. Hays, J. A. Laminack, N. H. Alex ander. J. A. Smith, A. A. Harper, l6lS East Sixth avenue, G. w. Mathews, B. E. Shields, ]. H. Lycn, 2021 East Ssy- snth, E. s. Huff, E. l.. Correll, $. E. Thompson, J. E. Bale, Elil Hercher. C. Moore, c. E. Fisher, c. E. Yowell, W.L. Meek, w. H. Rice, J. F. Hem inert, Mrs. Julia Hemmert, F. D. Reed. J. G. Galstsr, Nick Matz, J. H. ,Nitseh, w. F. Baldwin, Luther Russ, J. w. Holt, E. A. Rogers. J. L. Lee A. M. Lee, J. E. Clark. H. D. Mo Cliskey, W. F. Calvers. J-e Duncirk. Will NSt Make Race.
 Little Rock, Feb. 3.--F. E. Brown Arkansas railroad commissioner, an