The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1920-07-29
SENATOR KIRBY
SPOKE IN NENA
No Advance Notice Had Been Given
of Meeting and Small Crowd At
tended Defended His War
Record in 2-Hour Talk.

Mena Democrats had opportunity
Tuesday Of meeting a member of the
United States senate. but not many
availed themselves of the privilege.
1t isn't often that United States sena-
tors come to Mena but the fact that
such visits are rare didn't seem to
arouse much interest with the domi-
nant party men.
William F. Kirby, one of the two
Arkansas men that have seats in the
upper branch of congress, came to
Mena on No. and was met by no
manner of reception committee. no
distinguished citizens nor prominent
party men Thanks to few who hap
pened to be at the railroad station on
business, who recognized the senator,
the visitor was told how to find ho-
tel and the court house and that end
ed the welcome.
Senator Kirby Is candidate for re-
election to the high office he now oc-
cupies. He is now campaigning in the
tier of counties on the western border
of the state and visited Mena in the
course of his travels. During the af-
ternoon hours he walked about the
streets and greeted friends and
chance acquaintances in true demo-
cratic fashion-by shaking hands and
introducing himself and his purpose.
At night Senator Kirby spoke to a
gathering of both men and women I'm
the circuit court room of the court
house. No advance notice had been
given of the Senator's coming, no ad-
vertising had been done and the num-
ber in attendance was OF course small
Ter than a man of his prominence de-
served.
Freeman Johnson presided and pre-
sented the senator who spoke for
campaign and particularly those is
sues that effect the senatorship.
The major portion of the senator's
address was devoted to telling what
he had done while a member of the
United States senate and defending
his war record. According to his
statements he supported President
Wilson and Secretary of War Baker
in all national activities after the war
began and he submitted documents
and other evidence as proof of his
assertion. Senator Kirby did not
deny he opposed the United States en-
tering at time when the nation was
unprepared, but once the country was
committed to the great task, declared
be heartily supported the government.
Senator Kirby spoke on the need of
governmental help for the farmer and
made clear his stand on women sur
frage. He aroused the audience to ap-
plause when he spoke on the good
roads problem and declare a change
was necessary in the state. The sena-
tor advocated the building of good
roads but declared all classes of pro-
perty should be taxed to pay for them
and not the land alone
After telling what he had done and
what he proposed to do the senator
asked that his record be compared
with that OF his opponent Congress
man Caraway, whom he declared had
accomplished little or nothing. The
speaker did not make direct charge,
but intimated that Caraway's supper
ters were endeavoring to buy the NOM
nation and were prepared to spend
large sums of money to win the NOM
ination for the Jonesboro man. His
final plea was that the nomination for
the high office of United States sem
ator be not sold to the highest bidder
but be awarded on merit.