The Sentinel=record., 1911-06-06
ABOUT CONVENTIONS.

HVIiH6s. Dume time ago Ilipc ItOCk
had an idea that its central position
and railroad facilities, together with
one new hotel, would enable It to
beat Hot Springs on convention ar
fairs.
We were then getting all the state
conventions, and almost all the other
conventions that came to Arkansas.
At that time some here hyored TAX
ing extraordinary action to get the
conventions back, while others said:
Let Little Rock go: she can't 80 far
because convention that goes there
wfil never repeat. !"
The time has come now the con
MENTIONS are tired of Little Rock, and
with it's big deficits afloat, Little
Rock Is tired OF conventions. Not
dong since the Gazette Haunted in an
,swer to our question as TO why Little
Rock got The conventions, this: Lit
tie Rock pays for the conventions. 2
Now while Little Rock is paying
for its last convention. (which 10 a
process that may last some time) and
while the conventions are Disguised
with Little Rock. We respectfully IN
wife them to come to Hot Springs.
Not long ago Little Rock put up to
this city this proposition: I'VE want
the conventions. we have the money,
and We are going to buy them away
from you.r
NOW, we say 10 the conventions;
We have the most beautiful city in
Ne country in convention seasons.
al we have the best and cheapest of
accl modations. and we have hospital
ity, Nd cordially, and entertain
nent eJf these viii serve you. brine
your conventions here. T"
But that soh.s Of the skeptics may
think we are speaking too criticall,
Of the situation at Little Rock, we
merely present these excerpts from
the state press, about the Travellers
convention held there last week; Here
they are:
AIitile Rock is sick of conventions.
And conventions are getting sick OF
Little Rock. For years IL has been the
convention city. The Travellers, the
doctors and lawyers, the Owls and
Eagles. Moose and E.lss, grocers ano
dry goodsmen have held their conven-
tions at the capital city and the old
town has come to believe that she
owns them.
When the Arkansas Travellers met
there several years ago the Marion
Hotel and several saloons decorated
with some bunting. but her hospi-
tally did not exceed this. This
year the Arkansas Travellers met
there again and there was not even
any bunting displayed Dry goods
have advanced A delegation Of Tray
elers went from Pine Blur in full
uniform. with Scott Band. and the
reception they got was as chilly as
Peary's az the pole. Their whiskers
were frosted and their eyelids frozen
together.
Only two months ago. the schools
Of the state. with representatives
throughout Arkansas. held their tracl
meet in Little Rock. TWO train loads
OF teachers and pupils went from
Pine Bluff, Col. Balm OF Portland
chartered special and took the Port
land schools there in body. Fort
Smith. Hot Springs. Searcy and in
fact full representation from every
city and hamlet in the state went to
Little Rock to participate In the fes
tivities. arriving there on Friday
The public schools Of the |
city were not even dismissed for the |
day. There was no reception commit
tee at the station. and, like the Ar
lansav Travellers. they had to shift
for themselves. Many business men of
The city did not know anything un-
usual was taking place. There was
total nbseuce Of school pride. They
book the money, but that was all
Field day sports at park were free
Is all but In awarding prizes at the
theatre at the close children and
teachers had 10 pay to get into their
pxn SNOW. Everybody came home
@There WAS the same absence Of
|Ioupifality at the Travellers conven
|1on. Many enthusiastic men LEFT here
16ne1day morning but returned on !