The Mena weekly star., 1917-01-25
FOR UNIVERSITY
 IN LITTLE ROCK
New Bill Creates An Improvement District to Donate Sl.OOO,OO0 Edu- cational Institution to the State
 Has Strong Backing.

Little Rock Jan. 2i.-The long threatened bill to establish a new University of Arkansas at some cen tral point in Arkansas became a reality Friday afternoon when Sen ator E. E. Alexander of Mississippi, joined by Senator Edmonson of Stone, intrduced bill in the sen- ate creating an improvement dis trict to donate Si 100000 univer- sity to the state. The bill was re- ferred to the committee on educa- ton, which will give public hear- lng to those who favor and oppose the bill.
 Two small townships in Pulaski county are left out of the district, and some of Little Rocks most prominent bankers and business men are named as commissioners for the district, showing the weight that is thrown behind the bill. The commissioners are Herman Calm, president of the Bank of Commerce, the bank showing the largest depos- it's in Arkansas on the last state ment; J. R. Vinson, president of the Southern Trust Company; McOre- head Wright, president of the Union Trust Company, and president of the Arkansas Bankers Association; w. L. Hemingway, president of the Mercantile Trust Company; ". E. Lemon, president of the Peoples Saw ings Bank; w. B. Smith, member of the law firm of Smith & Moore, and president of the Little Rock ! Board of Commerce; and G. G. Price, < of the insurance firm of Price X Ledbetter.
 The bill states that the commis- $ sioners are to consult with the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas. and with general edu- \ cation board, for the purpose of de- 4 ciding upon the character of build < ngs desired, and the location. and then proceed in line with their sug- < gestions.
 There is a stipulation in the bill that the present University of Ar kansas is to be maintained as an horticultural and industrial school, for which it was originally created.
 Commissioners of the district stat &ed after the bill had been introduced that Little Rock was out to establish a great and modern University of Arkansas, but in doing so, no effort would be made to cripple Fayett- Mile. but on the contrary, Little Rock would see that ample proyis-
 bon was made for the mainttnancc Spf the present university. They ftated that the attendance the first Sfear at centrally located univer- kSty would total at least 200O and Few who now attend the university HFould be drawn from it.
 When Senator Johnston of Scott, nade motion that the Senate ad- eourn at i o'clock until Monday nornlng, out of respect to Gen RObt II Lee, he opened the floodgates and w m a rush of bills, senators falling Qver themselves to get them in be- Iore the limit placed upon local leg Riation by Gov. Brough should ex- Dire.
 The local bills ran out before the alternoon had passed and Senator 5pnes called up his bill for working opnvicts on the roads. This bill pro- Rdes for the working of surplus Nhlte conyicts under the highway Apartment and is designed to have Wem paid for out of government pnds. The bill was strongly op- Kpsed by Senator Caldwell, who fed Nhe fight against it. The bill lost and Senator Jones gave notice that tbn.
 The senate passed the deficiency
 to pay the expenses of the fer kIzer inspection and borrowed S20.-
 rom this fund to pay per diem
 mileage of the legislative ses- MrIRn
 Another general bill was passed, S* Hester measure to make effec- VT the twelve mill school tax