The Tupelo journal., 1906-09-07

titd lol SokioIt Ill oDNeot ~
both the United States and foreign coun-
tries. The commissioner is deeply in
terested in this subject and soon after
his induction into office began an inves-
t~igation to ascertain what had been
done toward demonstrating the use of
cotton goods in this and foreign coun-
tries with the view of bringing it into
more general use. While desultory eff
forts have been made along that line
at several times in the past, there has
not as yet been a concerted movement
to introduce our cotton goods in many
of the foreign countries. The com
missioner has been especially assigned
this subject at the next meeting of Cot
ton States Commissioners of Agriculture
to be held in Jacksonville, Fla, this
fall. The United States government has
Just begun to realize the necessity. OF
such a movement and has ~inaugurated
the campaign by appropriating 100000
for use in foreign countries. With a
cooperation by the cotton States it is
to be hoped that our cotton goods can
be popularized until it will not be neces-
sary to counsel the planters to reduce
acreage, but that every pound raised
will be eagerly sought to supply the de-
| mand for manufactured goods. There
is sound, common sense behind this
movement, and it should be prosecuted
to a successful termination.
The act also r%ecites that the commits
sioner cause to be made annually a col
lection of statistics, n to this end he
shall furnish the tax assessors with
blanks for that purpose, and it Is made
the special duty of the tax assessor OF
each county, to whom such blanks are
furnished, to fill out and return to the
commissioner. The supervisors and gin
ners of each county are also required
to furnish upon application such in
formation as called for, and the refusal
of such assessor, supervisor or glnner
to do so shall constitute a misdemeanor
and be punished as provided in such
| cases. When in smooth working order
this scheme of gathering information
will be excellent and surpassed by no
other State. The only trouble will be in
getting the reports, as no provision Is
made to recompense the officials desig-
mated for their trouble, although 1T Is
made a misdfmeanor for them to refuse.
It is hoped that those who are required
to assist in this work will do so from
patriotic motives rather than because
the law says they shall do it.
The commissioner is ordered to pre-
pare a convenient handbook as soon as
practicable, containing illustrated maps
and information relative to mineral,
soil. forest and other products, climate,
water power for the establishing of fac
tories, land, flowers, fisheries, mountains,
streams and all other information con-
, corning the attraction and advantages
which the State offers to immigrants,
and shall make illustrated exposition
thereof whenever practical at interna-
tional and State expositions. Several
thousand dollars would be necessary for
the carrying out of this instruction in
a y manner that would make the invest
ment one of profit. There has never
been published a comprehensive work on
Mississippi and her Incompatible re-
sources. Publications have been got
ten out from time to time by individ-
ulals and associations in keeping with
the limited means at hand, but a hand
book that would show what our great
State actually has to offer the man who
seeks a home or investment Of capital in
the various lines of trade, would require
months of toll and a considerable sum
of money. This matter will he prompt
lv attended to when the money neces-
sary is forthcoming.
As to what lines the commissioner
will attempt to carry out the provisions
of this act it could not be stated, more
than to obey implicitly instructions
where so given. The large field opened
in the general provisions will allow of
the handling of many matters as the
opportunity presents and necessity calls
for. The putting up and handling of
syrup made in the State and finding a
market for the same is mentioned as
an instance where great good can be
done at little expense. If the excellent
syrup made in our State can be ham
died in the summer months, there is no
doubt of the creation of a market for
every gallon that can be raised. Then
in giving publicity to the manner OF
putting it up and going into the North
and finding the market at good prices
gives the department al opportunity in
this one matter alone to- benefit the
people of the State many times the
cost of maintenance for a year.. Thu
matter of good roads, or better roads, at
a minimum cost has been taken up and
a bulletin on this subject with explicit
instructions as to method and cost will
be given and an effort made to interest
the people in the project. Only a slight
improvement in the condition of our
thoroughfares through the instrumental
ity of the department would many times
repay the cost of it's maintenance. Bull
letins on subjects of general interest will
be published from time to time, as OPP
portunity presents and conditions de-
mand.
This is an office that actually belongs
to the people, and the commissioner is
at their command at all times. The OPP
portunities for doing good will come
often and those who seesa place where
his services can be used in accordance
with the provisions of the act creating
the office should call on him without
hesitation. 1t will be his pleasure as
well as duty to heed all such calls and
do everything possible to aid those call
ing for assistance.
More than fifty numbering concerns
have been chartered in the State since
January LIST, and with a capital Of some
thing like three and one-half million
dollars. This does not include the price
paid for timber, but represents the in
vestment in mill plants alone. Nearly
as much has been paid for timber, one
concern investing nearly a million dol
lars for timber in the Pearl river val
ley. A great many years yet will be
rquired at the present rate of consump-
ton t deplete u supply of timber,