The Washington herald., 1908-05-31

OF certain KIM, TOO many alleged hu-
morous books about the people and their
manners; too many lies told about the
State TO raise laugh and turn a dIshon-
est dollar by the sale OF such literary
trash. The time has come to let the world
know what is here; the mineral agricul-
tural. and social wealth Of the State.
above all, Its life-giving climate. pure air.
and delicious water. Arkansas has no
feuds. Black Hand or dynamite lfiends or
night riders; the people are quiet, friend
ly. peaceable, and industrious. II Is one
OF the best all-round home places I have
ever known
II certain plans which have, recently
been laid before the Board OF Trade Of
Washington, d. c.. come TO maturity, Ar
kansas will in time have a splendid oppor-
tunity to let the world know what she
has to offer.
The Shoemaker Plan.
Some years ago Louis p Shoemaker. an
intelligent and public-spirIted citizen OF
the nations Capital, had a bill introduced
In Congress providing that an acre lot in
Rock Creek Park, adjoining the city on
Territory in the Union to be used by them
as sites for the erection Of State build
ings. in which could be kept such collec-
tions OF historical, artistic, and other OBJ
jects Of interest as would best represent
the respective State or Territory; as, FOR
instance, portraits and statues of eminent
citizens. literature and other exhibits per
tanning 10 It's natural resources, and such
samples OF It's products and resources as
could properly be gathered and main
tained. Objection was raised 10 the use
of public park for such purpose. al
though other parks were used as sites for
public buildings. &C The authorities SIM
ply failed to see the grandeur and inlpor-
tance OF this project. the fulhllment OF
which would have been of untold benefit
TO every part OF this country, in a social
as well as commercial sense. II is inevi-
table, however that something OF the
kind will be finally accomplished. The
country needs H. for a central point of
Information and distribution OF business
Is indispensable to our future growth.
Project Made Worldwide.
The plans presented to the Board of
Trade at Washington a few weeks ago.
however. embrace a much wider field
than the one above outlined. They con-
template the acquisition OF a body Of land
OF sufficient size. In the District OF Colum-
bia, 10 provide sites OF from two to four
acres each for every State and Territory
in the Union and every civilized country
on the globe, offered TO them under a per-
petual lease upon nominal terms upon
condition that they viii each erect there
on, furnish and permanently maintain
buildings with exhibits kept IN charge OF
agents, who will show samples OF goods,
manufactured products and natural re-
sources, and furnish reliable information
pertaining 10 their respective States and
countries. and take and give orders for
goods in quantity in any line OF trade
represented by them. The foreign and
State agents 10 be in constant business
intercourse with each other, as well as in
touch at all times " tn the visiting pub
lie, which might run into the millions in
short time. for this sort of a show
would draw the crowds from everywhere.
Samples of All Products.
As a recent writer expressed 1t: For
example, the cotton. timber. fruits. min
erals, &C, of Arkansas would be repre-
sented in an appropriate building or series
of buildings by suitable samples and lit
erature. specimens of soils. &C. as we'll
as products OF the fields and mines. TO be
renewed whenever necessary, all in charge
OF capable men having at heart the best
interests OF their State and ready a, all
times TO show forth its vast resources 10
the best advantage to the throngs of visi-
tors or inquiring agents of other States
and countries; housed in beautiful struc-
~ .ofo - -
style OF architecture: not temporary build
ings Of wood, stucco, or other trumpery
characteristic OF ordinary exhibitions, but
editces built Of Arkansas marbles and
limestones and decorated with native
onyx. finished in native woods. and built
10 stand for ages Not a worlds fair for
few months. costing many millions and
of doubtful profit, but a permanent busi-
ness exchange Of worldwide significance;
commercial clearing house for the whole
earth. outstripping in actual results all
the international exhibitions ever plan
ned"
Would SystemntiEe Trade.
The foreign manufacturers would be
buying our cotton. thousands Of bales at
time by samples. as well as other sta
Piles, through local agents on the grounds.
and we would buy our sugar and other
products from them in quantities. the
deals consummated by wire. without loss
of time, and at the same time emigrants
for our undeveloped lands could be Sc
cured and located promptly and satisfac-
torily in sufficient numbers to build UP
the waste places In a hurry We now
buy from all countries, and all countries
from us, but in sort of haphazard way.
This would systematize and vastly stinu-
late international trade. and as a world
clearing house 1t might standardize values
and steady the volume Of trade so as to
effectually prevent serious financial pam
les. A scheme that would help everybody
and hurt nobody. OF course, Washington
City would receive a tremendous growth.
and rapidly become one of the chief cities
in the world 1t has 90 far remained
pretty well unsullied by "commercialism, "
but in that event it would become the
most important commercial center on
earth, and in a nice, dainty way. without
soiling its cuffs and collars.
The members of the diplomatic corps.
representing a dozen different countries at
Washington, on being Informed OF this
project in an informal way, expressed
their approval Of 1t. They seemed to
think that as business largely rules the
world at present, a commercial as we'll as
diplomatic corps would not be bad idea
to put in operation.
Great Art Temples Planned.
The plan outlined also provides for spa
cious parks. streets. and avenues among
the business plots; also. sites for a tenn
GG RannE EDM" METWnnc