The Washington herald., 1922-01-08
Tells of Pike County Dia-
mond Fields and Also
Of>Fine Marbles.
MEETINGS HELD IN
THOMSON SCHOOL
Prominent Washington
Men Enthusiastic in
Work of Organization.
BY MAXINE DAVIS.

Arkansas is the third State in the
alphabetical arrangement Of the
commemorative of the Union. She
admits now that probably she
stands third, but IL the determined
efforts of her state society in WASH
ington succeed, she will undoubted-
ly stand first, the members are as
sured.
Folks from west of the Missis-
sippi. and especially south of st.
Louis may do things in a leisurely
way: they may talk things out at
great length. But why not. Why,
they ask, make a move until there
is no argument whatever that has
not already been demolished, when
the move is inaugurated? Thus the
Arkansas Society is being very de-
liberate, and laying plans very
carefully before they launch a big
program of propaganda for their
home State. They have taken the
idea out, busted 1t, examined 1t, and
are now ready to make use of it in
putting their State in the forefront
of the nation, according to Garrett
Whiteside. corresponding secretary
of the society.
Often Talk Politrcs.
Organized in 1912, the Arkansas
Society has as its avowed purpose
the development of Arkansas feel
ing and Arkansas friendship among
the former residents of the State
who are at present living in the
Capital.
1t is a non-political organization
but 1t is often observable that the
talk may become political because
of the homogeneity of the group
opinions. 81 have no way of max
ing certain" said Representative
William ]. Driver, the president Of
the Society, but I venture to saH
that If a canvass could be made,
the vote would be found practically
unanimous. However, no pressure
is ever exerted around campaign
time, one of the reasons being that
Arkansas probably has fewer
changes in the State delegation to
Congress than any other, for the
reason that the people recognize
the value of seniority"
Admits Society Has LanEuished.
Senator T. H. Caraway is the re-
firing president, new officers have
been recently elected. The Arkan-
sas Society has languished some
what in the past" explained Sem
ator Caraway. The dues have
probably been too low for interest
in the entertainment provided.
There has also from time to time
been a lack of concerted effort in
the House and Senate groups in
the interest of the organization.
Then, too, a school house is not
the best place for social meetings,
because of its general connotation
that IL the gathering is in the
school the program would conse-
quently be stiff and bookish.
This is, truly, not the case at
all. The program usually contains
music. some Rotations or a bit of
ballet, a speech by some person of
consequence, general dancing and
refreshments. The talks are easy
and absorbing: very often the
speaker is some member of the
delegation. and then the address
sometimes assumes personal
touch that delights the audience"
Meets Once n Month.
The society gathers together
once a month at the Thomson
School Community Center; is al
ways very well attended, and at
every meeting the members go
away very happily tired from a
very jolly time. for the officers
exert every effort of Southern So
cial inventiveness to make the
crowd mingle in the best possible
manner.
/ Miss Mabel Scurlock Is the frst
vice president. Miss Scurlock Is in
the Navy Department, and has been
an officer of the Arkansas Society
for the last three years. Repre-