The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-07-31
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SUMNER SLUMP"
Activity Continues in Practically Ey-
cry Industry and Business--Hard
Surfaced Roads TO Increase
Prosperity.
tBy Clio Harper,

10y LILO Hafpeft
Special 70 The Star.
Little Rock, July 22.--Here it is the
last Of July. and the accustomed
Summer slump" in business has not
yet come upon US.
What's the answer?
1t is that business conditions were
never so bright in Arkansas as they
are today.
There are people who thought the
end of the war would bring about a
condition of business stagnation.
II has been just the contrary.
Arkansas was prosperous for two
years despite the war
Now Arkansas is prosperous simply
because there are the resources and
the commercial and industrial condi-
lions that justify it.
There is no place left in our state
program for the knocker and the pes
sinist, for the booster and the opti-
mist are in the saddle and going
strong.
Every line of business is feeling the
effects Of it, and there is no cloud on
the horizon.
There is more money in the state
than ever before-ask anybody you
meet how much he has laid by In Lib
erty bonds and War Savings Stamps
and you will be surprised
There is a reserve in the hands
Of thrifty citizens they have never had
before, and for the most part it is
being used and conserved judiciously.
There is more constructive work GO
ing on in the state than the state has
ever before known.
Not the least in the constructive
program--probabi the largest single
item in it's the construction of
modern highways, upon which millions
are being expended.
II is not an academic conclusion
that these thousands of miles of hard
surfaced roads will produce even a
greater prosperity, since it will reduce
the energy necessary for the move
ment Of products TO market.
Projects are being fostered that will
cover the state with a network OF
highways, and what is more import.
ant, provision is made for their main,
tenanee after they are built
Great drainage projects and leve,
improvements are being planned il
many places.
Government engineers are working
on the survey of the st. Francis rive
basin, which was provided for by Ac
Of Congress several years ago, ans
which was temporarily -tracke,
by the war.
When this is completed and thei
report made, Congress is expected t,
enact the necessary legislation to car
ry out the projects.
It viii mean the reclamation of fer
tile acres as rich as the Valley of tn
Nile.
1t offers no nsuperable engineering
problems, say those who have made
study Of it.
1t is only question of dollars, AM
when the country can be taught t
think and act in millions and billions
that offers no obstacle.
The recovery of an empire in East
ern Arkansas win speedily double tn
wealth of the state.
The constructive program of tn
state, now opened up freely by the re
moval of Governmental restrictions, i
keeping orr architects and our build
ers busy.
School houses, churches, stores
theaters, halls and buildings of al
kinds are rising under the blows of
regiment of hammers.
Commercial interests are every
where prosperous, with increasing
stocks and growing custom.
The newspapers of the state are re
necting the general forward move
ment.
July and August are considered a
a rule. dull, dead months, but this yea
the columns Of the papers are CROWDS
with progressive advertising, and tn
necessary increase in rates has onI
increased the subscription lists.
In Little Rock every printing hous
is crowded with work, and there is
constant demand for more workmen.
Prices may be high, but wages ar
higher, then why worry?