Other days

100 YEARS AGO April 24, 1913

If there is any truth in the old adage that cleanliness is next to godliness, convicts at the Arkansas penitentiary soon are expected to “get next.” The Penitentiary Board is installing modern shower baths at the prison to replace antiquated tubs long used and convicts, at least, will be given more sanitary toilet environments. For many years past the penitentiary has been equipped with two tubs capable of accommodating 20 convicts each at one time, and as a result there was only apathetical rejoicing when Saturday night rolled around.

50 YEARS AGO April 24, 1963

Mayor Laman returned to his office today after being away since Sunday at a public housing conference in Fort Worth, Texas, and predicted that the antics of the city council members would someday lead to an election for city manager form of government in North Little Rock. The mayor compared arguments and charges and counter-charges among members of the council to the actions of the Little Rock administration previous to the change over in government systems. The city council has recently been at odds with itself over two appointments to the Civil Service Commission. Four members of the council have been accused by another alderman of having formed a “clique” which votes as a block.

25 YEARS AGO April 24, 1988

Reactions were mixed in Little Rock on Saturday when airlines began enforcing a nationwide smoking ban on short flights. The Arkansas Democrat surveyed passengers and airline officials at Little Rock Regional Airport, Adams Field, on the new smoking restrictions. The federal ban on cigarette smoking during domestic flights of two hours or less, about 80 percent of the total, took effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

10 YEARS AGO April 24, 2003

Gov. Mike Huckabee said Wednesday that he’ll call a special legislative session starting May 5 in the hope that lawmakers will take advantage of a second opportunity to pass a budget for the next biennium. The Legislature was unable to agree on a state spending plan before the regular session ended last week. “I cannot conceive that with as much frustration [that was] experienced and expressed by the public that the Legislature would come down in a special session with the spotlight on them in a very focused way and walk away without resolving the budget,” he said.