The Carlisle independent., 1921-01-20
STATE CAPITAL NEWS

Little Rock, Jan. 17.-Taxation seems to be the predominating theme in legislation which has so far been proposed. It is not so much an idea of regulation as it is to create reve- nue with which to carry on the state government and wipe out the existing deficiency. Practically all the special license features now being considered are in the interest of good roads and no matter how the revenue is pro. duced, the bills specify that it go to the good road funds of the county in which it is raised There is a bill pending in the Senate to license soda fountains and place a tag on cold. drinks, with the entire proceeds to go to the good roads fund. So far the measures all give to the county the funds raised therein, though hard fight is expected later to retain the automobile tax as an entirety to in- sure continuation of federal aid. About the only business not so far ef- fected is the motion. picture industries and if corridor gossip is worthy of belief, efforts will be made at both regulation and taxation of this indus try. The State Board of Censorship bii will in all probability be revived and if there is a taxation feature, it will be assessed only against the mo- tion picture houses which display ad- vertising films and slides.
 s5
 | Among the interesting bills yet to be introduced in the assembly is one to make participation in the throwing of baseball game crime, chasing it as conspiracy to bribe, and making the punishment the same as bribery. Such bill has been prepared in line with the efforts of the baseball mag nets to keep the game clean. Charles Jacobson, a director of the Little Rock Baseball Association, has pre- pared the bill which has the sanction 'of all interested in this sport. It will make impossible a scandal in Arkan- sas baseball circles.
 Legislation regulating the banks will probably be rare specimen in the legislative session. The present banking laws have worked so satis- factorily that no depositor in state bank has lost cent in the past few years. A bank guaranty feature could give no better protection to the depositors and it's operation would be so much more expensive that the leg islators appreciate the value of the existing laws The Arkansas banking laws were drawn with a view of mak- ing bank failures few and far be- tween, being preventive more than remedy, and should bank guaran ty bill be now offered it's support would come from only the radical members and they are few in this ses- sion of the legislature.
 Under the caption, "A bill to pro- hlbit the sale of cigarettes to minors" bill has been introduced in the Sen ate that has such strong educational features that it is sanctioned by the Arkansas Public Health Bureau and is expected to warrant the support of those who have opposed the repeal of the law prohibiting the sale of ci- garettes in Arkansas This bill places license of from $500 to $1O on the retail dealer and $25.00 on the wholesaler. The fund thus derived to be placed at the disposal of the Public Health department to conduct campaign of education in the schools to point out the evils in the use of tobacco by minors. The bill license the sale of cigarettes to adults only and sale to minor sur renders the license of the guilty deal CT as well as imposes a stiff fine and possible jail sentence. The dealer may secure another license if the State Board of Health desires to give
 
 him another chance, but bond of 5000 will be required and should he second time violate the law, this will be forfeited to the state. This bill has the support of many prose cutting attorneys who declare it is preferable to the present unenforci- ble anti-cigarette law. It has the support of the State Board of Health which declares that the cigarette is the least harmful manner in which to- bacco may be used, despite the popu- lar prejudice to the contrary.
 The Little Rock automobile show will be held in the early part of March, probably at the Hotel Marion. In order to make use of this building it is probable that large plate glass window and portion of the front of b.rsIJ.ror xrvsl1 loxx1