Evening star., 1961-10-30
Kennedy breaches NoturoI Resources
Dedicotes Road on Oklahoma Border
~ the Associated Press

President Kennedy came back
to the Capital today after
spending a Sunday in Okla
homa dedicating q scenic road
way and staying overnight at
the ranch of Senator Kerr,
Democrat of Oklahoma.
Mr.. Kennedy arrived at An
drews Air Force Base at 1851
pm. after a two-hour flight
from Fort Smith, Ark, on the
Oklahoma border.
The President walked briskly
to a helicopter which brought
him to the south lawn Of the
White House about 1:10 pm.
At the Fort Smith airport he
had been greeted by Arkansas
and Oklahoma dignitarieS. then
walked 80 yards to shake hands
with a group of about Is in
valids and retarded children,
brought to the airport through
arrangements made by Fort
Smith Mayor Robert Brooksher.
Mr.. Kennedy was solemn as
three elderly women, near tears,
took his hand and gave him
their blessing.
Crowd Applauds Wildly
The President then entered
q red convertible and toured the
public area where some 1000
persons had gathered. The
crowd applauded wildly as he
waved.
Mr.. Kennedy made brief
talk yesterday in Fort Smith
and then went to Oklahoma to
help dedicate a scenic new
mountain highway.
In Big Cedar, Mr.. Kennedy
preached natural resources,
learned about cattle and boost
ed Democrats on his first trip
to the West as Chief Execu-
tive.
He also shook the hands of
scores of countryfolk and min
gled with Democratic office
holders.
Greets Political Trio
Landing at Fort Smith yes
terday, Mr.. Kennedy strobe up
to q group that may get in
volved in an Arkansas political
scrap next year. Senator Full
bright was there with Gov.
Orval Faubus and Representa-
tive Afford, both of whom re-
portedly are thinking about
opposing Senator Fulbright for
denomination in 1862.
Mr.. Kennedy shook hands ali
around and worked in a plug
for Senator Fulbright. who. he
said, has labored for a strong
United States in a peaceful +:
world-and also spoke for the !
interests of Arkansas" ,
Senator Fulbright is chair
man Of the Foreign Relations
Committee, and Arkansas critics
have charged him with forget :
ting the State while pursuing
foreign policy problems. ,
Senator Mcclellan and Demo-
Gratis in the Arkansas House
delegation also turned out for
the President. who carried
Arkansas handily in 1850.
breaches Resources
Both at Fort Smith and at !
Big Cedar, the Chief Executive '
said the Nation cannot lose ;
sight Of its natural resources, /
its land, wood and water"
while building its military I
might. III
I'VE hold the sword" he told
thousands who converged On
the big Cedar crossroads, "and
we are determined to maintain
our strength and our commit
ments. But we also hold in our
hands the trowel."
Senator Kerr, Senator Mon
roney. Gov. ]. Howard Edmond
son and Oklahoma House mem
bers joined him later at Ker-
Mac Ranch. There Mr.. Ken
nedy watched a march-past Of
Black Angus and mock auc-
tioning of Ker-Mac Marshall
47th. a massive black bull rated
by Senator Kerr the best OF his
herd. /
Mr.. Kennedy spent the night
with the Kerr family, including
the Senator's three sons and
q daughter and their wives and
husband. He had shuttled there
by helicopter from the Big
Cedar dedication Of Oklahoma
highway 103 through Ouachita
National Forest.
Mr.. Kennedy chatted private
" for about half an hour with
Senator Kerr. whose opposition
he would like to soften to his
plan for linking medical care
for the aged with Social Secur-
ity.