The Little River news., 1923-01-17
GENERAL kSSE MbLY
 TO CONSIDER TAXES
Program Will Be Main Issue Before LeisiatOrs This
 Week.


 Little Rock, Jan. 15.-With the be- ginning today of the second week of the 1923 General Assembly, it is ex- pected that the policies of the session will start to take definite form. It is not likely that the committee to visit the various institutions will be ap- pointed until toward the end of the week, and that visitations will bo made before the next week. Both House and Senate, therefore, will make a start on the more important legislative matters.
 Chief among these is the governors tax program, which includes abolish ment of all taxes for state purposes and the substitution of severance. in- come, profits and business taxes, and the increase of franchise taxes. Very probably bills for severance taxes will make their appearance early this week, but nothing yesterday had been heard of definite plans for other taxes. President Jake Wilson, leading advU. cate for severance tax in the 1921 Senate, plans to introduce another severance tax law this session and other senators have announced similar intentions. Governor McRaes plan is to enact law declaring a severance tax, and to dispose of the disposition of the funds it yields by subsequent measures. It is very probable that there will be considerable contest ov- CT the disposition of the yield-wheth- CT the state will receive the entire amount, or the counties in which it is collected will be given a percentage
 Pen Walls Useless Expense.
 Senator Abingdon of Beebe this week will present two bills relative to state institutions; one to sell the penitea- tiary walls and apply the proceeds to the debt on the state farms, and one to sell the present building and grounds of the Arkansas School for the Blind on Eighteenth street and build new institution oh state land near the Arkanssa Deaf Mute Inst. ute.
 In discussing his measure last might, Senator Abingdon said that the walls" constitute a useless expense. and that they are not needed; ;he con- victs could be sent directly to either iof tie~-s tate farms, and headquarters for the system GSuid- be maintained at the Tucker farm. Also, he said, the site now occupied by the walls. close in on the Nineteenth street pike, is very desirable residence property, ex- cept for the presence of the prison, and that it will bring a good price.
 With reference to removing the blind school, Senator Abingdon said that this action also would free a good tract of desirable residence property, and that the proceeds will be amply sufficient to build and equip a thor outghly modern school near the deaf mute institute An economy could be effected, the senator said, by install ling central heating and power sta tions to serve both institutions if they were located near each other.
 Fight on Local Bill.
 Among representatives it was rum- ored last night that fight will be made on local bills this week which will take the form of movement tc. change the house rules so no local bills may be introduced while gener- al measures are pending on the calen- dar. So far, the percentage of loca bills in the Senate has been very small, and no similar action will be needed in that body.
 Senator Jackson of Randolph yes- terday said that he intends again to introduce a bill to make bank or high way robbery, in which firearms are used, capital offense. Senator Jack son had a similar measure before :he 1921 Senate, but it failed of passage.
 Both Senate and House last week voted unanimous acceptance, ssued by the Chamber of Commerce of Fay to spend Saturday in the uni versity city, and it is likely that both houses will adjourn to Monday at the close of the day Friday.
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