The Mena weekly star., 1917-01-18
COY. BROUCH'S MESSAGE 4 GREAT
 STATE PAPER
SHOWS STUDY OF CONDITIONS RARELY DISPLAYED BY
 INCOMING OFFICER.
COVERS A WIDE SCOPE
Places Field of States Activities and Needs Before the General Assem- biy in Comprehensive and
 Lucid Manner.

Little Rock, Jan. Standing on table in the center of the House of Representatives, with members of House and Senate and several hun dred citizens all that could crowd Tn the chamber Governor Charles H. Brough "Wednesday afternoon de- livered his inaugural address. Tn many respects this was the most re- markable address ever delivered by a Governor of Arkansas. It's recep- ton was most enthusiastic, and in every paragraph there was sug- gestion of constructive legislation.
 Governor Brough recommended the return to the old form of gov ernment fOI the State charitable in |stltutlons, thru an honorary board of representative citizens, a separate board for the Confederate Home, which he does not class as a chari- table institution, and a comprehen- siNe financial system which will put the state warrants immediately at par by the issuance of bonds to care for the present indebtedness, and then increase revenues so as to re- tire the bonds when they come due.
 Governor for All the People.
 Dr. Brough struck a happy note when he announced at the outset that he hoped to make Arkansas a governor for all the people, and so clear was the logic of the message that turnout the audience gave him the closest of attention Governor Brough displayed a knowledge of many things that a new hand in the office Of the executive is supposed to learn only by experience, demon strating that he has been quite busy in his investigations since he be- came the Democratic nominee, and was sure to be the states next gov ePnor.
 In many places Dr. Brough evil deneed a keen appreciation of the presence of women on state boards, for in most of the commissions he suggested, he left the inference that women are acceptable as members. Dr. BrOugh suggested some twelve or fifteen commissions to study dif- ferent phases of the States affairs, and commenting upon his wholesale recommendation along this line, stated that the cost would be so small that if any one of the commis- sions accomplished anything it would more than pay for the cost of all
 Tax-D0dging a Travesty.
 After paying tribute to the in- dustrial greatness of Arkansas, and it's growing resources. Dr. Brough launched into the revenue problem. showing that the State would on July 1 face a deficit of S750,000 and that the assessed valuation of prop eriy had actually decreased since 1913. Speaking nf the assessment condition, Dr. Brough said: They are sad commentaries on our anti quated and 'crazy-quilted revenue system, eloquent advocates of an improved assessment system, and reveal the whereabouts of the pan- dOra's box out of which flew ills of gross inequalities iii taxation, high rates, ridiculously low assessments, and a tax dodging that is a travesty on a self respecting people,
 The Governor advocated assess ing all counties at i00se, saying that the high rate under the present taxing system was a poor advertise ment to the state, as we'll as mak- ing the rate different in all the counties.
 More Power to Tax Commission.
 Governor Brough advocated the adoption of a constitutional amend ment to permit a proper classified tion between realty. tangible per- sonality and intangible personality. Dr. Brough favored the increase of the Tax Commissions power to peI- init it to review and change assess ments, and to order an assessment on any county. The Governor stated that the right of appeal protected the interest of the taxpayer. Dr. Brough also would give the commis- sion power to really assess corpora tions, and not permit the corpora- tions to do their own assessing
 To get all property on the tax hooks. Dr. Brough favors putting 1t up to the property owner, and re- quiring him to make his returns and make oath to their correctness. A minimum penalty of Si0 for failure to do so would bring the property owners to terms. especially if the prosecuting attorney was given one half of all collected, if the fees amounted to s200, and ten per cent for aii over that. pr. Trough poIn;- ed out that a jail sentence. as now provided, in addition to the Si pen
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