The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1907-02-07

Supporting the contention of tht
writer that the rate for telephone
service in Mississippi is already tot
high and being increased on every
preteXt, comes the announcement from
Clarksdale that an agreement has beer
reached with the Cumberland at thai
place and contract signed whereby
that city gets per cent. of the gross
receipts from rentals and the free USE
of six phones with one to be added
every time eighty-five new subscribers
are connected with the exchange. The
city is also allowed the privilege OF
installing a fire alarm system to be
operated by the telephone company
without charge and the company tt
be liable for damage in the event OF
failure to so operate it. If Clarks-
dale is entitled to this privilege, ev-
cry city in the state is also due the
same concessions, but would it not
be much better to reduce the rate to
a fair amount and allow each sub
scriber to share in the reduction? The
present Imgh rate with the graduated
increase for distance from the ex-
change will completely prevent the
extension of rural service, which is
fast becoming an important factor.
With an equitable rate for service,
and service after the price has been
paid, .in a few more years almost ev-
cry farmer in the state would be
supplied with phone. The present
condition of affairs will prevent the
rural people altogether from the en-
joyment of this great convenience.
Hon. Walter Clark, President of
the Cotton Association, issues a high
ly sensible address to the cotton grow
ers of the state. He cites the enor-
NOUS increase in the state of Texas
and Oklahoma, stimulated by large
volume of immigration and the cheap
ness with which cotton can be pro-
duced there, and urges the people
of Mississippi to look the situation
over carefully before pitching their
crop for this year. 1t would not
be good business sense for our people
to increase their acreage if it were
likely that the production would be
brought to a figure that would bring
the prices below ten cents. Mr.. Clark
also show that corn is worth Is cents
in Mississippi and only 30 cents in
the states named, while hay bears a
proportion 500 to $50 per ton against
$40 to $12. Then it would be better
for our people to plant less cotton
and more ccrn and hay. 1t will pay
every man an the state to read this
address carefully.
The Progress Club of Laurel is
offering handsome cash prizes to the
, citizens of that elegant little city for
the permanent improvement and beau
tifying of their premises. A splen-
did reward should be the result of this
movement. Mississippi should be a
state of home-owners and such pro.
gressive movements as this will tend
to make it so. The Club is also ar
ranging Ito plant several hundred
shade trees and care for them until
they are sufficiently large to care for
themselves. Laurel's Progressive
Club is an innovation for the beauti-
flying and improvement of the city
/ that will be watched by the whole
state with interest, and it might be
we'll for other places to get ready
for an emulation Of her example.
Considerable quantities Of meat
killed during December and the first
half of January was lost on account
Of the warm weather. At any rate
our good old state has saved more
than ever before and it is to be hop
ed that the increased attention be-
ing given this important subject will
insure in a few years sufficient sup
ply for home use. Hogs can be rails
ed here more economically than in the
colder countries and our people are
fearfully in their own light allow
ing their smoke houses to be located
in Chicago and Kansas City. A
change is coming however, and In a
few years it is anticipated that Mis-
sissippi will raise her own meat.
The writer desires photos of the
modern country school houses of the
state for use in this department dur
ing the present year. Would Like to
have both of the new and the old 70
properly depict the Improvement that
our state is making along this line.
Have a good picture of your school
made and mail it as soon as. posi-
BILE.
The gardens Of Mississippi have been
40 o.,4 I1oc nno,.1xy q III 1xni,,-