The Mena weekly star., 1921-02-03
Willing To
 Trust McRae
By Clio Harper

By Clio Harper
 Little Rock, Jan. 3O.-The close of the second week of the 43rd General Assembly indicates that the member ship of the House and Senate is rapidly swinging to the views held by Governor McRae as to the man agement of state affairs. The first real test came in the House on the bill by Mir. Gates of Lonoke to abolish the penitentiary commission and to sub stitute therefore an honorary conn mission of five members to be ap- pointed by the governor. it had been expected that there would be fight on the proposition, but the sentiment seemed to be all one way. There was only one speech and one vote against 1t by Colonel J K. Wood of Marianne, one of the oldest members of the body. The vote was 92 to 1. The bill was an administration measure and those. who favored its passage asserted that they were willing that the governor should assume responsi- blilty for the future management of the institution and relieve the pre- would be able to relieve it from it's present financial difficulties. 1t is probable that the bill will easily pass the Senate and by the end of this week will have become law, in which event, immediate action will be taken to take over the management of the institution and relieve the pre- sent commissioners from their con nection. It has even been rumored that wholesale resignations may be expected. Drastic measures have been introduced and others are ex- nected involving the question of peni- tentlary management and finance. According to the report of the State Comptroller, the net current indebted ness of the penitentiary February 1, 1921, will be about $300,000 and S15O,- 900 will be required for operation un- til July l, 1921. The Comptroller says:
 "The why of this indebtedness need not be discussed by me here. It IS condition which prevails and must be met and disposed of"
 To meet this emergency the Comp trolled suggested and bills have been introduced in line with his sugges- tions that $150,000 be borrowed from the permanent school fund and that the State Debt Board issue certifi- cate at per cent interest payable September 1. 1921. He also suggests that the State Debt Board be author ized to issue per cent notes for S30O,O00 and sell the same at not less than par. These proceeds to be placed to the credit of the penitentiary fund. These recommendation of the comptroller are for the purpose of meeting the emergency in it's finances. The reason for such a condition and methods whereby similar conditions may be prevented in the future are for the legislative branch of the gov ernment to work out. The House has already passed an emergency an- propriation bill of Sf00 900 ta fake care of the immediate needs of the institution.
 Another real test of the governors strength in the General Assembly will come on the bill for the abolition Of the Arkansas Corporatin Commits sion. There is reason to believe that the fight on this measure will develop considerable acrimony. Administra. ton bills now pending provide for the appointment of an honorary board for the control of penitentiary affairs and for the absolute abolition of the Corporation Commission and the re- turn of its jurisdiction over utilities to the municipal and other author ities in control before the creation of this. office. The fact that many or- ganizations and agencies turnout the state, by resolution and otherwise are endorsing the stand taken by gov ernor McRae, and demanding of their representatives thoro support of his policies presents a strong argument in favor of legislative action along lines laid down in the Governors inaugural message
 The legislatures, and more particu- larly the House, has shown a growing disposition to support the governors policies of strict economy in the man. agement of state affairs. In line with his tendency many of the members have been voting against even the emergency and deficiency appropria- tons for some of the minor offices One man made the statement that if would be much easier for him to ex- plain to his people vote against an appropriation bill than it would he a vote for it. therefore he considered 1t the part of the wisdom to be on the safe side. At least one man has from the beginning consistently vot- ed against every appropriation bill offered, including even that for mile age and per diem out of which he has been, drawing his own salary of SC per day.