Pocahontas star herald., 1924-04-04
why this sudden interest in the source
Of big Batesville Record.
Little Rock Letter

Little Rock, March 31.-This is the
second week of the extraordinary ses-
sion of the 44th General Assembly,
called to pass an income tax law for
the benefit of the public schools. Dur
ing the first week the lawmakers roam
ed far afield in the introduction of
bills, many of which can not under any
Interpretation he included i'm the pur-
view of the Governors call. There
are even number of local measures
proposed, although under the circum-
stances II has been impossible to give
the required notice of thirty days for
their introduction.
Almost dozen bills relating to tax
alton have been submitted in the two
houses and both House and Senate
Monday afternoon settled down defin-
itely to an effort to thrash some grain
out Of the accumulating chaff. The in
dications are strong at the time this
Is written that the House will pass
some kind of an income tax bill as
the sentiment appears to be gaining
in favor of it, 1t Is not so strong how
ever in the Senate, which is seeking
through cigarette and tobacco taxes
and by retrenchment in departmental
expenses to provide a fund sufficient
for the relief of the schools.
One of the definite developments of
the session, a sort of by-product of
these numerous extra sessions is the
question of the proper compensation
Of the legislators. Experience seems
to be providing that the Amendment
initiated by former Attorney General
Norwood limiting the session to sixty
days and fixing the per diem for regu-
lar and special sessions is very un-
satisfactory at this time.
At former special session the pre-
cedent was set of appropriating $1.OO
day for stamps, telephone, telegraph
and other expenses of the members.
This was opposed at the time by some
who foresaw the extent to which 1t
might be carried. Later $50 was vot-
ed to each member for the same pur-
pose and this got by the auditor and
state treasurer. Emboldened by these
precedents and actuated by a desire
TO secure pay for their services where
the law provides only $500 day for
fifteen days, the lower House adopted
resolution to pay each member 500
In a lump sum for his stamp and
other expenses. This resolution origi-
nally providing for $500 and then
scaled down to 500 was adopted by
vote of As TO 30. two days after a
similar resolution had been defeated.
The members, however. appeared TO
have Overstepped, and after two of
them had secured their money, state
treasurer. Joe Ferguson. clamped down
the lid on the state treasury and refus-
ed TO honor any more vouchers. At
the same time an injunction proceeding
was filed in Chancery Court. at the
mstigation of the state treasurer, Re
pre- sentative Henry stephens Of Colum-
bia county and others. who enjoined
the treasurer from paying further war
rants. The case will without doubt
be taken to the Supreme Court for
final determination.
Mr.. Quarles of Helena, author Of
the resolution, frankly admitted that
his purpose was to raise the issue that
il may be decided in the courts. I'm
less this should be done the legisla-
lures would have no limit set upon
the possible raids they might make
upon the state treasury
The opinion is generally expressed
that the members are inadequately
paid. that the sixty day session is a
failure, that frequent extraordinary
sessions are undesirable and that some
radical changes should be made in the
| legislative system. III is prODaDle that
in the near future an amendment will
be submitted placing the members Of
the legislature on salary, probably
$1,000 each for the two year term,
without further emoluments of any
kind, and providing for unlimited ses-
sions The Norwood amendment has
undoubtedly served good purpose,
but new conditions have made It obso-
lete and reasonable changes have be-
come imperative to avert the establish
ment Of conditions as undesirable as
those which formerly existed.
Cy Adams Says: