The Mena weekly star., 1921-03-17
ABOUT HALF OF HIS. PROGRAM EXECUTED.
Says Governor McRae in Review of the Work of the Legislature-Sen- ate Responsible for Failure te
 Carry Out Pledges.
From the Arkansas Gazette.

From the Arkansas Gazette.
 Little Rock, March 13.--In a review of the work of the legislature made at the request of the Gazette yester- day Governor McRae said that while some of the pledges of the Democratic party were blocked in the Senate, he estimates that 50 per cent of the plat form recommendation have been car ried out.
 The governors statement is as fol- lows:
 "The bewildering incidents of the last few days, some of which were extraordinary, much of it incident to the hurry and furry of the close of a General Assembly, have prevented me from surveying the whole situ- ation thoroly A huge task confronts me in composing the budget of ap- populations.
 "The Senate prevented the General Assembly from carrying out the pledges of the state Democratic plat form in full, yet some very important clements of those pledges were re- deemed 1 have all along considered the penitentiary problem the greatest one confronting the state, and this was changed to suit me, and I think it has satisfied the people The ex- pensive paid commission has been abolished and an honorary board sub- stituted l am greatly pleased with what this honorary board has already done. TLe legislature promoted some measures for the financing of the woe fully insolvent penitentiary, which will permit it to be conducted upon a cash basis,
 Municipal Rights Restored.
 ''The Corporation Commission was abolished While Railroad Commits sion was not asked for by me, it was the best I could get The high char acter of the men I have appointed thereon inures success in operation. The rights of municipalities were re- stored to them, which was perhaps the most important demand from the pub lie.
 "The most complicated problem was that of roads and highways. It was the demand of the people that the motor vehicle tax should be increased, the greater part thereof left in the respective counties, and this was com piled with in a measure. Hereafter there will be a gradus ted tax, 70 per cent of which will remain in the coun- ties and 30 per cent sent to the state. I was deeply disappointed when the Senate refused to pass the House measure which sought to suspend operation of the respective road i'm. provement districts created by acts of the General Assembly of last year and the year before, where. bonds have not been sold until the people who must pay the taxes had voted to con- tinue the work. This bill was drafted in accordance with the state Demo- cratic platform, and was insisted up- on by the public thru a flood of cor respondence and petitions, directed both to my office and to the legisla- tors.
 Highway Situation Improved
 "The General Assembly refused to abolish the Highway Department as at present constituted, but the net result of legislation affecting this depart ment is a decided improvement. My main desire was to take this depart ment out of politics. I advocated an honorary Highway Commission, which would appoint an executive head for the Highway Department, the execu- tive head to be Civil Engineer. My main thought Was to place the sums of money Nor highways in charge of a funcYSon devoid of incentive to play politics or favorites in the placing of the funds.
 q asked for the abolishment of the expensive Board of Control, desiring that it be succeeded by honorary boards for the management of the State Charitable Institutions. The House of Representatives passed a bill to effect this. The Senate refused to concur. This was repeated in the closing hours of the session, but a vote in the Senate was prevented by a tili' buster on the part of those who want ed the present board continued.
 Local Legislation Injurious.
 'It should be pointed out that loca l legislation complicates very greatly al general legislation. l had no idea until went thru with it, what a grea' problem local and special Legislation | presents. There can be no doubt that l this has inflicted an irreparable in
 jury to our state and is going to be come an issue in this state in tn, future.
 "Among the useless offices abolished