The Mena weekly star., 1919-12-18
NENA MEN WERE
 TOGETHER FRIDAY
Seyenty, Representing Almost Every Business and Profession, Partici- uated in Commercial Club
 Luncheon.

Rusiness and professional men of 3dena to the number of TO gathered 4t Hotel Mena Friday noon at the 6rst get-together luncheon of the Commercial Club.
 For nearly an hour after luncheon had been served, the gathering heard d discussion of strawberry farms, Food roads, good fellowship and kin aren other topics that pertain to com nunity betterment. From the hearty Interest shown in the meeting there 3as no doubt of it's success or of its value in making acquainted in social way those who attended.
 When the diners had pushed back 4heir chairs and Secretary Smith had Distributed the perfectos, President n E. Dodd arose and announced the {alkfest was to begin. He called first 4pon Judge k. w. Mills, assigned to 3ell what he thought of Mena as alace in which to live The former ct Louis iurist exprest himself as well satisfied with Mena as resi- Hence, and then proceeded to enllven fhe crowd with string of stories that Brought laughter and put everyone in Food humor. The speaker brought but the thought that no community should be self satisfied, lest develop 1nent be halted.
 Capt. James K. Berry, the new city Superintendent of schools, spoke Briefly and pointed out that such meetings as this one helped com munity in getting heads up, hearts to- gether, eyes to the front, that 1t may sec clearly the way to civic success.
 The new pastor of the Baptist rhurch, Rev. H. L. Waters, announced lis intention of identifying himself uith all interests for the uplifting of th community. He declared the xroup of men within the room could in all liklihood have anything in Mena it aesired, and predicted that Mena "is going to be largely what this group of hen make it."
 Secretary Fred J. Smith made an Expressive talk on what is recognized as the "unscheduled assets" of the xommunity. Among those of great est value, tho it has no rating at the Ranks. or in financial records, is good Fellowship, and that was the one pro- <luct the get-together luncheon hoped &o create. The secretary also spoke 0f the problems of production, trans- portation, business and civic enter prise, which confront Mena, and spoke Enthusiastically of the manner in (which they are being met. He also Explained some of the details of the plan for the berry and fruit farm the Commercial Club has started and pre- dicted that by 1921 shipments of Strawberries in carlots will be real jty.
 R. Golf spoke of his experience as a retailer in a community where ber- *Iies were produced, declaring the ber- Ty season was the best business seas on of the year. Judge J. I. Alley told of the benefits that accrue to a com- munity whose people work together for development. He caused laugh Fer by iokingly referring to an al- 4e ed attempt to usurp the privileges ot hls beloved 'Possum club.
 George w. Petty was called upon to zen or progress in the Mena-Big Fork highway and aroused enthusiasm by declaring he expected to see this the first improved road built in Polk eoun.
 y h
 Mayor Smith was asked to tell of # fhe progress of the Jefferson High sway but turned off the honor to Capt. F. D. Ellsworth of the Southwestern 8 8Engineering Company, who got the glad hand when he stated it was ex- # pected that actual construction work on the north and south road would be started by February 1.
 V w. St. John told of the depot sit hation, relating that thru the Commer clal Club an order was secured from the State Railway Commission for new station, construction to be begun oy January 1, 1920, but that the Kan sas City Southern had asked for de. lay of six months, the club granted a postponement until April l, 1920, and all now pointed to the beginning of E actual construction by April l, the re. suit of negotiations carried on by the Commercial Club.
 At the close President D. E. Dodd asked an expression as to whether it was worth while to repeat the luncheon each month, and met with Tousing and unanimous response in the affirmative.