The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17
Arkansas at the Worlds Fair.

From the Arkansas Gazette.
The convention of active and honor
airy commissioners of the st. Louis
Louisiana Purchase Centennial Expo
sition for Arkansas accomplished a
great deal at its meeting in this city
Thursday. 1t set the ball rolling in the
right direction.
Some very able speeches on the neces-
sity of having Arkansas well represent
ed at the fair were delivered by patriotic
citizens familiar with the needs of the
state. Hon. Phil. d. Scott, member
of the national commission, gave some
very interesting data in regard to the
scope and plans of the great enterprise.
His suggestions were all good and
timely. Among these were the follow
ing, which deserve thoughtful consider
alton by every citizen of the state. In
the course of Mr.. Scott IS address he
said:
II think that the greatest good this
body can do at the present time is to
devote its energies to two things. First,
work up a public sentiment in favor of
"a large appropriation to be made early
in January, 1908, and, If necessary, see
that the representatives from yonr
counties are instructed in favor of it :;
and, secondly, to work up strong
sentiment in each locality for local
exhibit | think every city, town and
hamlet, and every county, rs a county,
should have an exhibit there. Instead
of collecting Il general fund to spend on
exhibits from here or there. ! think the
commissioners. selected rs they are
from all parts of the state and men
of commanding influence in their com.
munities, can see that each community
has its own natural wealth and industry
displayed ut the exposition.
II think that every dollar appro-
priated by the last legislature should be
spent in erecting house which would
fifty typify the state and large enough
to properly display the exhibits which
shall come from every part Of the state.
There Is no place In Arkansas but
what can make y creditable display Of
the resources of nature, industry and
art there found. If the money of our
citizens is spent on their local exhibits
1t will be given more readily, more
generously, and inure to greater ad
vantage. Let every school, factory,
mill, plantation and business have its
display there.
Then let the railroads, the coal
mines, the zinc mines and the various
other large industries have their places,
too.
1.-THE state, rs a whole, should bear,
through legislative appropriation, the
general expenses, and the exhibits Of
such things as belong to the state, as a
state, its historical interests, its state
institutions, etc. and the localities have
their own displays borne by themselves,
and this body is capable Of carrying ont
thoroughly this plan, and 1t is submitted
to you for your careful consideration. -
In view Of the failure Of the legisla-
ture to make an adequate appropriation
for exhibiting the resources OF the state
at st. Louis the suggestions Of Mr..
Scott are the best that could be offered,
Money should be raised In every county
to insure local representation Mt the
fair. The general expenses should be
cheerfully borne by the state. No tax
payer should object to this proposition.
The boards Of trade, the business men s
leagues. the railroads and the great
industrial corporations, wholesale and
retail merchants of the state, should
Join in the movement to secure the
funds necessary to make Arkansas
exhibit the most attractive of any state
in the union.
The convention WAS enthusiastic and
harmonious. 1t was composed In the
main Of business men who will labor
necessarily from now on In the interests
of Arkansas. They will assist and
encourage the permanent commission in
their efforts to make proper showing
for the state In st. Louis.
1.-THE ladies Of Arkansas will take an
active part In raising funds and collect
ing exhibits that will attract the atten.
tion of the world to the apple blossom
state.
No citizen Of Arkansas who favors
industrial progress and the development
Of the resources of the state will hesitate
in taking u hand in the good work
mapped out by the convention commits
sioners.