Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-09-06
BAN IS LIFTED
 BY DEFENSE BODY
 ON XMAS BUYING However, Buy Early and Use Discretion, Is Urged
 By State Counil. LITTLE ROCK POLICE QUITTING POSITIONS Everything Is Wrong With Public Service Corpora
 tions in Little Rock.

OPONA0A " AAC II e PlllSs
 Little Rock, Sept. 5.-The National Council of Defense has announced a modification of its policy previously promulgated, relative to Christmas buying. At first it was designed to discourage all Christmas giving, which was working great hardships on merchants throughout the country, including Arkansas.
 The reasons for these restrictions are the necessity of saving labor for industries more essential to the win ming of the war, and the saying of transportation and deliverery facili- ties necessarily involved in the large volume of Christmas purchases.
 The State Council of Defense has been advised that, after conference with the mercantile interests, it has been agreed to remove the absolute ban, but to insist that the buyiny be done early to avoid the usual Christ mas rush, and that the Christmas giv- ing be confined, as nearly as possible, except for young children, to useful articles. The period for holiday pur- chases is to be spread over the months of October, November and December.
 The retail interests represented at the hearing before the National Coun- cil have agreed not to increase their working force by reason of the holi- day business over the average force employed throughout the year, and not to increase the normal working hours of their force during the holi- day season. They have also agreed to cooperate with the War Industries Board to restrict deliveries and to in. duce customers to carry their own packages, They will also carry these facts prominently in their advertise ments beginning with September, and the Council believes that if these sug- gestions are faithful enforced it will make possible a continuance of the holiday custom without endangering the national interests thereby. The Council of Defense expects all organ ized business bodies to cooperate.
 Coppers Quit Jobs.
 The city is finding it difficult to keep it's police department recruited up to its full strength, as so many of the men are resigning to engage in Government or other employcent that pays them better images. There is pending petition for an increase in their pay, but unless the city is able to find anoher source of revenue, it will be difficult to grant the increase, as it wouldo mean an increase for other departments.
 Everlastingly Kicks.
 The City Council is besieged with complaints from the public about the service of public utilities. The man. agement of the gas, electric light, street railway, water, and telephone companies has been lon the carpet" to explain the reasons for insufficient or unsatisfactory service, and in al- most every instance it has been ascri- bed to the labor situation.
 It is almost impossible to secure competent labor. Another source of trouble is the inability to secure ma- chinery, pipe, and other material need ed.
 Street cars, telephone cable and switchboard, rails, pipe, pumps, and other equipment have been ordered for year in some instances, and by reason of the priority of war sup plies, delivery cannot be promised. Louis Luck, who was granted fran chise for gas line from Monroe to Little Rock, has been given an exten- sion because of his inability to secure the pipe.
 University to Open.
 The University of Arkansas will op- en Oct. 1. In a statement to the young men of the state, President Futrall says: "You now have an exceptional opportunity to secure college edu- cation without cost, and not only that but the Government will pay you $50