Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-02-25
Columbia Legislator Urges Appointment of Commit
 tee to Probe Charges.
CHARGES OF THEFTS
 IN THE LOWER HOUSE
Employees of General Assembly Ac- cnsed in Resolution by Coker of MariOn-FOrt Smith Salary Grab
 Bill Goes Thru the House.

Little Rock, Feb. 24-The bill by MT. Davis of Columbia to provide for the appointment of committee to investigate charges with reference to the administration Of affairs and treatment of patients at the state hos pital for nervous diseases, was taken up Saturday morning. Mr. Davis made an argument in support of the pass age of the bill, declaring that condi- tions are such that there must be an investigation to protect the good name of the state. He said he thought it could be completed in 15 or 20 days.
 Some of the members urged that the other side should be given an opportunity to be heard when when charges of such grave char acter are brought against a state in- stitution. At this juncture, MT. Johnson of Pope. asked:
 Do you consider there is any other side to a question of murder or sus- picion of murder in a state charitable institution?''
 The bill went over as unfinished business at the expiration of the morning hour.
 For Road to Springs.
 The bill of MT. Shockley Of Saline for the organization of the Little Rock and Hot Springs Highway dis trict was passed unanimously. The commissioners named are K. O. Bag ley of Pulaski, w. S. .Sorrells, of Gar land,' and George F. Buzbee of Saline.
 Il: 1.lv to accept the declaration of congress that Cache river is non-navigable stream. This was done over the pro- test of Representatives French of Poinsett, Brinton of Chaighead, and others, who insisted that the stream should be kept open,g and if the Difl were passed, no appropriation could be received from congress. MT. Mathis insisted that bridges are of more value than the stream which is not subject to navigation, and can not be made so by $4,0O0 a year.
 Investigation of "Fhieving."
 MT. Coker of Marion introduced resolution in the house Saturday thieving, as follows"
 "Whereas, t is reported that some employees of this house have been guilty of very unbecoming conduct, and have abused some of the property of the state, and,
 Whereas, some employees are ac- cused of taking stamps and other things of value from the desks of members, be it
 Resolved that the speaker appoint a committee of three to investigate said charges, to the end that any per son or persons found guilty of any of said charges be properly removed from the position they now hold"
 The resolution was adopted and Representative Coker. Rowland and Cardwell appointed as the committee.
 Held Fights Extrayagant Salaries
 There was spirited debate over Sebastian county salary bill by Sena- tor Hester, and it was passed by the house by vote of 43 to 20. Repre- sentatives Osborne and Johnson were for the bill, and MT. Held opposed it. MT. Held made an intellectual attempt to place the bill back on second read ing for the purpose of amendment, 10 make some changes in the proposed salaries, declaring that they were ex- orbitant, and savored too much of graft. MT. Held agreed that some salaries should be raised. He said he was willing to let the people vote of the bill, which makes following in- increases: County treasurer, $3,000 to $4,000; circuit clerk, $4,75O to $6,000, county clerk $4,750 to $6,O00, county judge, $1,200 to $2,000, assessor, from $1,20O to $2.00O, total in crease of $4,65O.
 Germany did not become a ship building nation until within the last