The courier-index., 1919-11-07
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-( LITTLE ROCK LETTER
 By CLIO HARPER
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-f


 sive rains of October seriously in- terfered with the road buildinp program of the state, as we'll as with farm work. In fact, it has al- most caused cessation of road building, particularly in the lower counties. It is still possible to do some constructive work in the hill counties, but even there it is greatly retarded.
 The greatest amount of damage was done to the crops, much of which were ungathered at the time the heavy rainfall began early in the month. The cotton and the corn have been almost ruined in many sections. In some instances the economic loss was increased by the picking and ginning of wet cot ton, which reduced the value by at least one-half. A statewide move ment against picking wet cotton has proven more or less effective, and much less has been reported the last week.
 The rainfall last month broke all October records of the Arkansas weather bureau. The total rainfall recorded was 15.29 inches, which is three or four times the normal. Only two other months in the his- tory of the weather bureau had a larger rainfall-those being May, 1882, with 15.29 inches, and De- cember, 1884, with 16.93 inches. One of the peculiar features of the situation has been that there are no great floods in consequence of the heavy rains, the rivers being only slightly above normal.
 
 Politics is still one of the most popular games in America, although the legitimate rewards of holding office are the most megaer of any business in which a person may en- gage, unless it is teaching school. This is proven by the great army of avowed and prospective candi- dates for governor and for other state offices, eight months before the state primaries.
 It is seen in a smaller way in the contest that is being staged for member of the Little Rock city council. One of the aldermen last week announced that he would voluntarily retire after eight years service, without a defeat, because of the press of personal business. Then began a scramble for the va cant place. There are at least eight candidates for the nomina- tion, and others may enter.
 The office of alderman in Little Rock pays $40 month, with free telephone service and street rail- way transportation, or about $500 year. Despite the opinion of the people to the contrary, it is one of the most difficult positions to fill, because of the many petty annoy ances in connection with it. It means a great deal more than at tending council meetings twice month and voting faye" and mo" or ordinances and petitions. It means many council committee meetings, where the greatest amount of the real work is actually done, and it means being constantly on the job in the interest of the constituency.
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 Representative Lee Seamster of Benton county was in the city this week and told about the plans, of the Benton County Fox Hunting Association. The annual drive will be held next week, starting out from Sulphur Springs. Foxes are not chased to be killed, and hunter that would kill fox is heavily pen alized. The willy Reynard is chased with the finest imported fox hounds purely for the sport of the chase. Wolves are killed, but the fox is sacred to the Benton county hunt CTS. There are about 100 members of the club, which has been in ex- istence for 20 years. It is said to be one of the greatest outdoor sports of the state, and the fox chase brings spectators from all the surruonding counties.
 The scramble to secure houses has taken a most unusual turn m Little Rock. There are no houses for rent, comparatively few rooms, either furnished or unfurnished, that can be secured, and 1t has gotte nto be almost a true saving that if you want a place to live, you must build it. But the latest wrinkle is the appearance of the following ad. in a Little Rock daily:
 "Reward-Wil pay $1O for in formation about rooms to rent.
 This shows the straits to which people are being reduced to find a shelter.
 In recent article which was extensively published, State Hlgh- way Commissioner W. B. Owen, by analyzing the requirements ot man power, showed that it will take five or six years to complete the con struction of all roads contained m the states program.
 Viewing the road building pro oram from another angle, he con cludes that it will require l5,94f teams eight and one-halt months tho X lUU