Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-02-14
Delegation Will Visit Little Rock This Afternoon in
 Behalf School Matters.
w, w. BYRD ENDORSED
 FOR PEN COMMISSION
Trustees of Chamber of Commerce Also Endorse Plan to Relieve Tax Collector of Obligation to Visit
 Each Precinct Annually.

DGC1S1OH Was IcdCICu nS LAAo opSOA.~A meeting and luncheon of the trustees of the chamber of commerce yester- day noon at the Hotel Pines. to send a big committee from the organiza. ton to Little Rock today, to make every effort to bring about the final passage of the new high school bill and to confer with the board of trus- tees of the state university in an ef- fort finally to settle the matter of the branch normal college for negroes.
 There were score or more mem- hers of the trustee board of the cham Der Of commerce, members of the school board and othr business men present at the session yesterday, and President H. l. Hclderness presided over the session, which was held inn mediately after delicious luncheon had been enjoyed.
 The discussion of tho branch norm. al college matter followed a brief ex- nlanation by Secretary Bloom of the present status of that matter. and 1t was finally unanimously decided tha! the committee shall make every ef- fort to have the trustees of the state university finally select a site, that the chamber of commerce may carry out its part of the agreement. and that the rebuilding of the institution may be started at the earliest pos sible date. The matter has been tho subject of discussion, but without &C., tion, for four or five years past. and because the institution must either push forward or drop behind because Al, 1occ oe nf tc income, definite and final action is expected at the conference to be held this afternoon.
 The High School Bill.
 W. F. Coleman of the school board explained the status of the special bill which relates to the proposed new high school here. At the outset he explained that the proposed new building will be the high school proper, and that the present higl school building will be the 'junior" high school.
 MT. Coleman explained that in 1905 the legislature passed a bill al- lowing special school districts to is sue bonds for building purposes. However, provision in that bill ex- empted Jefferson county from it's pro visions. Who caused this provision to be inserted, or why did not de- velop at yesterdays meeting. MT Coleman then related the actions oi the school board relative to the pre- parations for the erection of the pro- posed new high school ruilding here and said that the exemption in tn. act of 1905 made it obi gatory to have vote of the people on the bond is sue. However, he prepared bill al lowing the Pine Bluff special school district to issue bonds for the new high school building without vote of the people. This bill has passed the senate, and has had two readings in the house, where it has been lyins inactive the past two weeks.
 MT, Coleman stated to the meet ing that he had been gwen to under stand that the bill was being hel: up by Representative Magee, in orde' that it might be amended, to make i necessary for the school board to ad vertise the issuance oe bonds, ans thus to ask bids on the issue. Ht suggested that the board has alread! decided to advertise the bonds, ant the Jefferson county representative! have been so informed. He suggested 7 also that if Representative Magee i. insistent upon measure to that ef feet, that he introduce general bil making it obligatory to advertise al bond issues, by all school districts and not insert provision in bil which affects Jefferson county alone
 Other members of the school boar, spoke along the same line, and eacl of them expressed the opinion tha the school board has done all in it. power, without accomplishing any thing. It was pointed out that tn, already overcrowded conditions of tn, high school. and of the higher grade in the grammar schools, were rapid ly becoming aggravated, and pr Breathwitt especially pointed out th vital necessity for early action in th' matter. It will take about nin months to erect the new building, an, already so much time has been los that the building cannot be com pleted before January l, 1918, if tn bill is passed and signed today.
 Opinion Is Unanimous.
 It was the unanimous opinion 0 the men at the meeting that as larg
 
 organization go to Little Rock thi afternoon at ? o'clock by automobile to confer with the Jefferson count representatives and Senateor Cald we'll, and to urge that the measur be finally passed. Volunteers t serve on this committee were calle for. and H. V. -Bahlau suggested an recommended that the entral Trade council be asked to send several dele gates with the committee. as mem bers thereof. Volunteers who sai yesterday they will make the tri, unless unforeseen developments pro vent. are Tracy Mills. Thurman Lou than, H. V. Bahlau, Leo M. Andrew H. B. Strange. w. M. Harrison, J. White, Walter Wilkins, w. l.. Nal thews, w. w. Taylor, George J. Mc Gibbony pr. William Breathwi