The Tupelo journal., 1908-03-06


In this department. last week there
was a word of warning to the local
unions with reference to the contracts
for fertilizer that it appears just now to
have been founded upon incorrect in
formation. The notice was given for the
purpose of preventing entangling al
l~iances that would mean trouble for the
union in the future, as was stated in the
article. If this information was incor-
rect, it is but just and right that a cor.
~rection should be made in fairness to the
concern furnishing the fertilizer as well
as those desiring to purchase it. Bust
ness Agent w. w. WEIGH states that the
notes are made in this manner: A Joint
note is made by four reliable parties for
the aggregate of the whole amount of
fertilizer to be purchased. Then, the par
ties buying give to this committee of
four a note carrying a mortgage on a
YIN NtOp W NC IdiScu ~ Sudl-
antee the payment of their dues. While
the note made to company is negotiable,
it is understood that they are not to be
discounted or allowed to fall into the
hands of third parties. This plan is
undoubtedly all right and affords a means
for the financially able members of the
union to assist those less fortunate with
out undue risk.
The jew farmer said that when he
went to buy a horse he always stayed OH
the safe side and bought a mule. No
animal can take the place of the mule in
this country for heavy duty. The only
trouble with us is Mississippi raises by
far too few mules. Something like half
a dozen counties in the State raise more
than IS used at home, while the rest
draw upon these counties for a few, and
upon Missouri for the great majority of
their animals. The Grenada Sentinel re-
Gently contained a short notice of q
farmer near that town that has succeeded
Ill raising all of the mules lie needed, and
that at little added expense over the
usual run of farm outlay. His mules are
good ones, equal to those brought in from
other States for general farm purposes,
and do not cost one-fourth of the outlay
necessary to secure an average Missouri
mule on the market. 1t is suggested
that more mules could be raised, at least
enough to supply the home market, and
at little additional expense. 1t is a
weliknown fact that the farmer who
raises his mules is generally successful
in making farming pay. He does not
stop at mules but goes farther and pro-
duces other necessaries tina: are too often
bought by the farmer. Mississippi
should by all means raise enough mules
to supply the home market and indica-
tons are that this will be done ere long.
Further inquiry into the Jones county
matter has been made, and it is to be
hoped that it will prove an error, al
though the brother giving the informa.
ton was undoubtedly satisfied that he
was correct and was giving publicity to
a matter that might cause trouble later
on. This is no time to make mistakes
or allow our people to be imposed upon,
and it is the duty of every loyal men,
Der of the union to carefully guard the
interests of his brother as he would his
own. The writer assures all that his
article of last week was intended in that
way, and If the information was incor-
rect, advantage is taken of the first op-
p%ortunity to correct the mistake. The
plan as outlined by the business agent is
undoubtedly all right and where it is
carried out will not cause trouble, but
on the other hand, will prove of great
benefit to the union members in general
over the State.
EX-GOv. Nardaman, in an address to
the Farmers Union, said: THE roads
the everyday dirt roads of Mississippi.
over which the products of soil reach the
points of export to the markets abroad,
should be the backbone and strength of
the commonwealth, for as the roads are,
so will the progress be. They are the
regulators of freight and the creators of
markets, and once established they save
the producers many times their value and
cost"
Mississippi stands before a big propo-
sition, that Of getting good public roads
at an equitable cost. 1t is the greatest
need of the State today, and the man
who can solve the problem is deserving
of a monument that will tower to the
skies. These roads will cost money and
a great deal of it, but they will prove
the best investment that has ever been
made of like amount, be it ever so large.
More than three millions is paid as a
tax to bad roads each year and nothing
to show for it in return. 1t is time that
something definite is being done and the
legislative bodies now in session should
not side-step the proposition.
= X T.
Some of the State papers complain
that the railroad managers were invited
to come before the legislative commit
tees when matters of Importance to