The courier-index., 1917-08-17
Lee County Given Big Boost
 In Daily Press at Paragould

can be reduced to a minimum by
 picking up and burning the fallen
 squares. This fall the farms in the
 valleys which last year proved the
 hibernating places for weevils will be sowed to wheat This is one plant the weevil cannot feed upon, and it is
 believed this rotation of crops on infested areas will practically put the pest out of business.
 BEGIN WHEAT CAMPAIGN. "The Marianna Commercial Club is now making plans for a vigorous campaign for an increased wheat
 acreage this fall. What I mean by campaign is that the merchants, doc tors, lawyers, bankers and planters all affiliated with the Marianna Com 'mercial Club-organize themselves in squads of from four to six men to the team and for a period of
 week or ten days fill appointments at the churches anr schoolhouses in every section of the county, talking to the farmers, white and black, and putting up to them in the strongest possible way the necessity for rais- ing food and feedstuffs and live stock. The campaigns early last spring were mapped out and carried through by the members of the Commercial Club. The business men seem to enjoy the work. They go into it enthusiasti- cally. They are always ready to re- spond to call, and think nothing of quitting their business, even to the point of closing the doors of their es- tablishments, if this extreme measure is necessary, in order that they may meet an appointment, It is this splendid spirit of unity, this keen sense of public obligation, this enthu- siasm in all activities for the greater good that comes from community ser of the most progressive in the state and Marianna famed as a city of deeds. So rapid has been the pro- gross in farm development in Lee county that a recent government sur vey made by A. D. McNair shows the average yield in dollars and cents from the farms in Lee county is far in excess of that from the farms in any other county in Arkansas.
 FINE SYSTEM OF ROADS.
 Incidentally, it may be profitably stated that Lee county has the finest system of dirt roads in the state. With no desire to disparge the ef- forts that have been made in Greene county during the past six or seven years to construct a system of good roads, is in order to observe that this dream will never be realized un- til the people make up their minds that they-not somebody else must dig down in their jeans for the money. It is true the large amount paid into the road fund each year in the shape of direct taxes IS enough to make many permanent im- movements, but the fmpracticaDle and criminally wasteful system or expending this fund through road overseers whose positions come un der the baneful and blighting influ- ence of local politics, invariabiy re- suits in negative returns.
 ENTIRE COUNTY IN IMPROVE
 MENT DISTRICT.
 -"In Lee county about five years ago tbe progressive citizens determined to nut an end to this frightful waste or public funds. They had speciai act passed by the general assembly ere ating all of the county into a special road district. The act authorized bond issue of s1OO,000. This money was expended under the direction or a committee composed Of i've or the hest citizens of the county. Iney em- nloved a competent superintendent, who in turn employed supordlnate overseers, accountable directly to the and subject to dls- missal by him at any time their ser vices proved unsatisfactory. Wi.n tbis organization net work of exceii- ent dirt roads was constructed Ill the county. Levees were punt oSei io" nlaces. all streams were bridged, sub stantial culverts were constructeu' and splendid drainage system went hand in hand with the construction of the roads. The result IS that at any season of the year the hlgn"ays all over the county, with the excep- tion of those through the gumpo DOL toms, are in good condition TOT trai- fic. I
 "But perhaps you are most ineer ested in how these bonds are re.ireu and how the money is raised to keep up this system of roads. unaer ehe special act creating the district communication tax of five doliars ID maid by every male person Tn the
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