The Little River news., 1921-06-15
SURVEY OF THE 1921 ARKANSAS.

SURVEY OF THE 1921 ARKANSAS.
 The results of a survey, embodied in a series of five articles, made by the GlobeDemocrat on the road situation in Arkansas have dissipated a num- Der of misapprehensions, some of them of serious quality. Dissatisfaction ex- ists and the causes for some part Of it are not unjustified Use of state, county or city credits for Arkansas public improvements of this character is forbidden, and road, levee and drainage by improvement districts. This is the only state employing this system in road work on a large scale. How far a more centralized system or certain causes of complaint might be made a subject of fair inquiry. with re- suits of value to states which have undertaken ambitious good road plans.
 Tnequitable assessments for general taxation exists in Arkansas, as else where, and in some cases these un- equitable assessments have been made the basfs in fixing road benefit assess ments, with consequent complaint. Many farmers would find it difficult to pay their taxes, either regular or spec ia1, out of last years farm profits, for because of the deflation in cotton and other crop prices there haven't been any profits. But this lean year was preceded by several fat years of peak prices and farm credit and fin- ance are sound. An unprogressive element. which would protest against any improvements, no matter how just and advantageous, is probably just as large in Arkansas as In Missouri or any other state.
 But facts of much greater impor- tanne than any bearing merely on a .iiscOntent that IS almost neglibible in a comparative sense, at least, were made plain by Mr Hutton. In nearly all localities the tax delinquency is no greater than in the average year. A deep satisfaction with what is being done is the representative condition of Arkansas people. The accounts of majority of the Road Commissioners are in excellent shape. Gfart has been minimized. That Arkansas road and Improvement bonds are among the most desirable form of investment was the universal opinion, to which even kickers make no dissent.
 One of the most instructive feature of Mir. Hutton's survey was that it made known in greater detail perhaps than has been done heretofore what the Arkansas of 1921 is doing and is thinking about With perception of it's own distinctive needs, a daring enterprise in fitting means to ends and 6 determination to realize the essen- tials to modern well-being. in which qualities perhaps it has not been equaled hv any other state since the opening Of the present century Ark ansas is creating 9 magnificent sys- tenn of highways, levees and drainage districts. It is making Arkansas a better state to live in, without counting too narrowly the cost.
 In overcoming physical handicaps and insurine vast material benefits it's new highways and other public inn provements will have enormous value, but may there not be almost as great a value in another direction? The eff feet on the psychology of people cap able of making these present sacrifices for their own and ther childrens fu- ture in interesting and important. Ar kansas is truly state of magnificent possibilities and with an up-to-date toward. aggressive people is about to take the rank to which It's vast re- sources long ago entitled it-St. Louis Globe Democrat.