LITTLE ROCK — 100 YEARS AGO Dec. 20, 1912
John H. Page, commissioner of mines, manufactures and agriculture and a member of the Penitentiary Board, declared yesterday that the action of Governor Geo. W. Donaghey in pardoning 360 convicts in order to abolish the convict lease system was not necessary. Commissioner Page declared the members of the board did not intend to renew any lease after the present lease system expired December 31. Mr. Page stated that it had been the intention of himself and Secretary of State Earle W. Hodges to offer a resolution that the convicts not required on the state farm be employed in building a much-needed railroad from Varner to the state farm.
50 YEARS AGO Dec. 20, 1962 A controversy over whether the Blytheville Air Force Base should have “two tax-free liquor stores” yesterday reached the Arkansas congressional delegation in Washington. About two weeks ago Director Rolla Fitch of the State Alcohol Beverage Control Board issued an order for wholesale liquor dealers notto sell any more liquor to the Blytheville base. Yesterday, Fitch received a complaint that the base was running out of liquor with the Christmas holiday starting.
25 YEARS AGO Dec. 20, 1987
PINE BLUFF - At least 12 of the 17 pit bull dogs held at a Jefferson County residence as evidence in a dog-fighting case have been replaced with other pit bull dogs, authorities said Saturday. It was not known what became of the missing dogs. Officials from the criminal investigation division of the Jefferson County sheriff’s office checked the animals Saturday morning and discovered the switch, Capt. Virgil Brown said.
10 YEARS AGO Dec. 20, 2002
An Oregon federal jury found Wal-Mart Stores Inc. guilty Thursday of requiring employees to work extra hours without pay. Thursday’s decision in the U.S. District Court in Oregon marks the first time a jury has ruled against Wal-Mart in a class-action case involving off-the-clock charges. At least 35 similar cases are pending nationwide but have not achieved class-action status.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 12/20/2012