Show Main Street Street 1969 1969 The theme of the 1957 National Citizens Citizens Citizens Citi Citi- zens Planning Conference held in Little LittleRock LittleRock Rock hock Ark in recent rece-nt days days- was Main Street 1969 The year 1969 was referred referred referred re re- re- re to the scheduled completion of the mile interstate highway system The purpose of the conference was to enunciate enunciate enunciate and broadcast to all America a clear concept of the forces that are are- already at work creating the Main l Streets of the future Perhaps the most dramatic explanation explanation of what is happening is that of Elmer F. F Twyman vice president of Lale Towne who told the conference that America is being rediscovered In the adventure ad of rediscovery he said we are finding that there is land landin landin landin in all aU parts of our great country where industry can be established and where it itcan itcan itcan can flourish we are finding that everywhere everywhere everywhere every every- where there the are men and women with skill and aptitude for even the most complex industrial tasks Our system of communication communication communication cation and transportation have narrowed the expanses of time and space Nothing is distant any more and all Americans are neighbors Mr 11 Twyman noted that the continuing continuing continuing con con- dispersal of industry industry- away from large concentrated centers strengthens our defense and security in this atomic age but even more important is its in influence influence influence in- in fluence on economic growth This decentralization decentralization decentralization he said is equalizing prosperity prosperity prosperity pros pros- for alL alt The dispersal program of his own I company has resulted in three stew new plants in small towns in Virginia and Tennessee Te with others under construction in Arkansas California and North Carolina Carolina Caro Caro- lina Ilna so he should know whereof he speaks We found the strength of people people- he said small town Americans are generous generous generous gen gen- erous hospitable and neighborly good people to be among and good people to work with We found stability among people in small towns the stability that comes from nearness to the earth They The are purposeful and direct and proud of their capacities But what are arc the other advantages that industrialists look for in seeking new plant sites Mr Twyman man lists them as good transportation good communications communications communications nearness to raw materials and services services services ser ser- vices and a strong welcome and spirit of cooperation from officials and civic leaders lead lead- ers Our people in our own community measure up But how do we stand on other factors Maybe we ought to check up and before 1969 |