Pocahontas star herald., 1923-09-14
MCRAE CALLS SOLONS
TO ENACT ROAD LAWS

extraordinary session OF the ARKANSAS
General Assembly to meet at noon,
Sept. "a, to enact laws for the reor-
ganiza ion of the state highway de-
partment, and to consider bills per-
tanning to about 30 other general leg
islative subjects.
Eleven of the subjects designated
for consideration are related to high
way construction, or other work in inn
provement district organized to con-
struct roads, bridges or approaches to
river bridges.
An amendment to the narcotic law
and consideration Of a law to prohibit
the storing or possessing of alcoholic
liquor" are among the subjects desig-
mated in the call.
Other subjects deal with protective
measures for forests, certain birds,
mussels, etc, with fees and licenses,
manner of appeal from municipal to
circuit courts, appropriations, valida-
tion Of oil leases on lands held by
school districts, and several other sub
jects.
The highway clause states that If
the legislation needed to restore fed
cral aid cannot be enacted the pur-
pose then will be to abolish the high
way department and transfer its func-
tions of collecting auto license taxes
and issuing license plates to the com
missioner of lands.
Another clause of the call proposes
the enactment of laws apparently in
tended to clear up the legal tangle
surrounding the agricultural depart
ment appropriations.
The proclamation follows:
Know ye, that, whereas an ex-
traordinary occasion has arisen, which
makes it necessary to do so, !, Thomas
G. McRae, as governor of the State of
Arkansas, by virtue Of the power and
authority vested iu me by the consti-
tuition of the state Of Arkansas, do by
these presents call an extraordinary
session Of the General Assembly to
convene at the capitol building, at the
seat of government, at the hour of II
O'Clock noon, on the twenty-fourth day
of September, 1923, and l specify the
purpose for which the General Assem-
bly, is convened as follows, towit
Il. To enact laws for the reor-
ganization of the highway department (;
the placing of the power of employ
ment and removal of employees and the
disbursement under the control of the
commission, and the requirements that
all moneys, including federal aid, shall
be paid out only, on the order of the
commission; to pledge the good faith
of the state to maintain all roads in
the STATE, on which federal aid funds
have been are may hereafter be eX-
pended: and to maintain, construct
and regulate the traffic on state high
ways: and 10 provide state funds there
for by taxes on motor vehicles, gaso-
line and oils, and for an annual al
lotmen. of a part of said taxes for the
payment of valid bonds and interest
coupons Of road Improvement districts,
said allotments TO be continued from
year to year until one half Of the out
standing unmatured bonds and inter
est coupons have been absorbed there
by: to prohibit the issue of bonds by
any road Improvement districts that
have not heretofore made canstruc-
ton contracts or issued bonds for ex-
ceeding 80 per centum of the cost of
construction, and no bonds to be is
sued unless a majority in value of the
land owners in fee simple therein
have voted therefor. If the legisla-
tion necessary to restore federal aid
cannot be enacted, then to abolish the
highway department and provide the
commissioner of state lands with such
assistants as is necessary TO admin
lister the land department and make
provision for the collection Of auto
license tax and the issuance Of IL
censes.
"2. To make such amendments as
may be deemed necessary in general
laws relating to the formation Of pro-
ceedings In road Improvement district.
And also by providing that districts
may be organized hereunder for the
Improvement Of highways, portion
of which may consist of streets with
In the limits Of cities or incorporated
towns. and providing that the assent
Of the property owners to the improve
ment shall be ascertaiucd at an cleo
tion to be called By the county court
for the purpose
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Residence 144 Can either at any