Macon beacon., 1907-08-31

telephone situation, kicking vigorously
AZ the increase in rates recently order
ed. This matter of efficient telephone
service at reasonable rates is one of
the biggest questions Mississippi has
to handle at this time. The telephone
is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
The home without one is fast becoming
an exception instead of a rule, the ex-
tension of the service to the rural com
mulities is causing more trouble than
all else. For several months the writer
has been endeavoring to get hold of the
"Facmers' Contract mentioned at
times bat has so far signally failed.
Hon. Il. l.. Bradley, railroad commits
sioner, also took it upon himself to get
hold of this mythical document, but
has also failed. There is just cause for
the next legislature taking some action
looking to the regulation of this impor-
tant matter The country people need
telephones even worse than those in
town, and they are deserving Of law
that will supply this need and at rate
equitable to all, but at u rate they can
pay.
An able paper Of the State advocates
the passage of law requiring the cor
porations that own immense tracts of
land in Mississippi to develop it or
place 1t upon the market at a reason
able price so that those desiring homes
can buy it and do the developing them
selves. While such law may seem
drastic and unwise just at this time, it
is likely that the future may demand
something of the kind. Foreign cor
porations have bought millions of dol
lars worth Of our timber lands and are
holding for the increase in price that is
coming steadily. The greater portion
of it was purchased for practically
nothing, and up until the past year or
two, taxes were paid at a rate Of assess
ment even less than the purchase price.
Such a law as suggested might be
classified as anti-corporation legisla-
tion, but it would apply to individuals
as well as companies. The people of
Mississippi are frequently placed in a
false light us harboring strong senti-
ment against corporations, This is not
true in any sense of the word. All
that our people ask is, that corpora
tiops be accorded the same treatment
as the man with forty acres and a mule.
Mississippians ask for no more than
they are willing to accord to others, but
do vehemently insist that all be treated
in similar manner and that conces-
sions and exemptions TO monied con-
Germs be stopped,
The people of Amite county are be-
ginning to give attention to other mat
ters besides raising cotton. The Rec
ord at Gloster speaks of the fact that
number of energetic men are hauling
wood to town and selling it that comes
from land being cleared, thereby maxi
ing it source of profit instead OF
waste. Also of the fact that melons
are bringing a good price and with a
steady demand. One man will plant
pretty largely of broom corn next year,
encouraged by the extremely high
price of the article. 1t might be sug-
gested that the corn be manufactured
into the brooms right here at home,
thereby keeping the whole amoune of
money here, Peanuts and other crops
will be given attention, and the pre-
diction is made right here that a con-
tinuation of this policy will, in Il few
years, make the territory around Clos
ter the most prosperous in the State.
The Herald at Water Valley takes
up the proposition for county fair for
Yalobusha and Calhoun counties and
makes a strong appeal for the orgaDi-
zation of such an enterprise, In years
gone by there was good fair at
Water Valley but in the great period
of depression it went the way Of sev-
eral Others The people of that section
are in position to make a splendid
display of agriculture, horticulture and
stockraising, and it is to be sincerely
hoped that the Herald's agitation will
be productive of revival of the fair
for that section. ..aaI
Mississippi has a large number of
commendable innovations to her credit
AS many or more than any State in
the Union. One of these was the abol-
ishment of Imprisonment for debt, a
nefarious law that prevailed IL all the
States Of the Union. Away back in
1924 January ~ this statute was re-
pcaled and the lead was followed by
other States. While there may be
moderate number Of "shylocks" still at
large, the misfortunes of man cannot,
cause his incarceration in jail. The
past history Of our State is one to be
proud Of, and it should be the ambition
of every citizen to see that the future
is in keeping with the past.
The United States department ofagri-
culture at Washington has recently is
sued bulletin on Eradication of john
son Grass" that should be Of especial
value to the farmers of sections where
this grass has gained a hold. Copies
of this bulletin will be furnished upon
application to Farm Management U. 5.
Department of Agriculture. Thousands
of dollars have been spent in devising
a plan to get rid of this grass and 1t
would be well for those interested to
write for copy and get the benefit oil
this extensive investigation.
The flood OF advertisements offeritg
sure-shot and get-rich-quick schemes
continues, and suckers bite With alarm
ing regularity despite the repeated
warnings of the press. There Is no oc-
casion for man 10 send cent OF
money away from Mississippi for in.
vestment, the orportunities'bcing equal
to or SUPERIOR to those from any part OF