The spectator., 1921-03-18
M'RAE'S PROGRAM
 PARTLY ACHIEVED
TWO CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND MENTS ARE PASSED IN
 CLOSING HOURS.
REVENUE SYSTEM CHANGED
Repeated Efforts to Abolish Two Boards Fall, Although Board of Con- trol Is Badly CrippIed-High-
 way Department Remains.

Little Rock, Ark.-Adjournment of the Legislature saw the accomplish ment of less than half of Governor McRae's abolition program.
 Embodied in the governors inaug- ural message and in the platform of the Democratic party. were specific requests for the abolition of the High way Commission, the Board of Con- trol, the Corporation Commission and the Penitentiary Commission, and the substitution of honorary boards to take over their functions. Of this program, only the last-named was completely successful The Peniten- tiary Commission has been abolished and an honorary board now is func- tioning in charge of the prison sys- tenn. The Corporation Commission also was abolished, but the substitute Railroad Commission was created, with the consent of the governor.
 Board Is Badly Crippled.
 Repeated efforts to abolish the other two boards have failed. The Board of Control, however, is badly crippled. Although the House twice has passed abolition bills, they have been defeated in the Senate. The last attempt at abolition was made when the Johnson House bill was talked to death." Senator Deisch moved in definite postponement of the bill. and Senators Johnson and Wilson of Union both opposed the measure. They declared that the direction of the charitable institutions, and espe- cially the State Hospital for Nervous Diseases, requires direct supervision of a central control board located in Little Rock, and not board with members scattered about the State. such as an honorary board would be.
 Senator Collins gained the floor in opposition to the bill and talked against it until the Senate business ended. This left the bill on the Sen- ate calendar without action. How ever. a counter move was made in the House in the defeat Of the boards ap- propriation bill. As the board now stands it is without appropriation for salary and maintenance. and is lack ing one member who can be appointed only by the governor. The vacancy left by the resignation of z. M. McCar- roll several weeks ago has not been filled, and the two remaining members are W. H. Hall and B. J. Reaves. Since the board is not abolished. the mem bers may continue in office until the expiration of their terms. and defi ciency bill may be turned in to the Legislature two years hence.
 Highway Department Remains.
 Machinery of the Highway Depart ment is unchanged, although measures were introduced il both houses to take away the automobile tax, the de partment's principal source of rev enue, and to attach the duties of the department to the Agricultural De- partment The latter measure was defeated, and out of the various auto tax bills introduced a joint compro- mise measure was introduced and passed under which the counties will receive 70 per cent of the auto license collected within their boundaries, and the department the remaining 30 per cent. License fees are based on a sliding scale governed by the weight and horsepower of the car. and it was said that the 30 per cent which will go to the Highway Department will yield almost as much as the present 100 per cent under the $10 flat rate.
 No Salary for Inspector.
 The salary of the State mine in spector is held up under the action of the House in killing the appropri- ation bill, but the office itself is con- tinued. Several efforts to abolish the office of inheritance tax attorney also have failed. and the appropriation bill was passed by both houses. The Sen- ate confirmed the appointment of John Carter, inheritance tax attorney, who had been appointed by former Governor Brough. The confirmation was made in informal executive ses- sion. as were the appointments of A. l.. Hutchins and l.. s. Dunaway as members of the State Normal Board of Directors.
 New Revenue System In 1923.
 Probably the most important meas ure enacted by the Legislature is the Vaughan revenue bill. which revises the entire taxing system of the State. The bill requires the assessment of all property at full 10 per cent valuation with the rate of taxation based on the -~--~~->------->