The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1908-02-13

the Farmers Union have been before
committees of the legislative bodies
recently in the interest Of legislation
for the benefit of the agricultural peo-
pie Of Mississippi, urging action that
help the farmers of the State. These
officials are very active and ener-
getic in their work, and the result
cannot help be of the best kind. The
good people should back them up in
every move they make, for it goes
without saying, that it is for the bet
terment of conditions among the far
mers and the allied interests.
The proposition to bring about
uniform system Of gin compression
that is being urged by both of these
gentlemen as well as the wrapping of
our cotton in cotton bagging, is an
important matter. There are so many
points ito be given in support of this
change that it would be hard to emu
merate them, but suffice it to say
that it would be worth millions Of
dollars to the people of the South each
year. Both reforms will bring about
long and holly contested fights with
the interests that have controlled the
crop for SO many years. 1t is fool
lsh to think that these people who
have multiplied millions invested will
give up without a desperate struggle.
The compress interests will Of course
star in every nerve to prevent the gen
eral adoption Of gin compression, and
IN this they will find powerful allies
in the railroads that are interested
also in the congresses. The adoption
OF cotton bagging would seriously af-
feet the Jute people and they would
of course put up the ablest fight posi-
BILE to prevent its use in general. There
is community of interest feeling be-
tween all of the trusts and it is like
ly that they would combine to fight
the proposed reforms.
And for this reason, if for no other,
the people of Mississippi should stand
shoulder to shoulder, backing up the
efforts Of their Officers to bring about
changes that would materially ad-
vance their interests. That the con-
test will be long and strenuous there
can be no doubt, but it must be won
and in the battle every man, woman
and child has part. Give this matter
careful consideration and act as your
conscience dictates.
The suggestion that the state install
the gin compression plants on the con-
Wet farms is a good one. In the eff
fort to bring about general adopt
ion of this system of handling cotton.
the state could and should aid the
movement by putting up its five thou
sand bales in that manner. This would
stimulate the change and encourage
individuals to fall into line in way
that might not be accomplished 9th
wise. Walter Clarke and G. r. High
tower, both practical farmers, are en-
thusiastic In favor of the plan and
will appear before the Board of Pris-
on Trustees to urge its adoption. The
Union and Cotton Association have
both .memorialized the board to put
the plan into operation, and no doubt
the next crop will be handled III that
manner. It means endorsement by the
state of plan that would be worth
many thousands of dollars to the far
mers every year. The state comes in
competition with the farmer in the
production of cotton and can be a
great help to them in aiding this
great movement.
Cheering news comes from every
part Of the state with reference to the
fifteen cent holding movement. The
farmers are standing by their agree
ment admirably as one brother says,
1--WE are out of biscuits just now, but
will eat bacon and corn bread until
we get the price that we feel we are
entitled to- Another thing that
looks good is the fact that there is
general. determination among those
who have heretofore bought largely
on credit to cut it out for the pres.
ent year. The great movement in
auguraed three years ago is bearing
fruit of substantial nature. Even
if cotton does not go to fifteen cents
this year, it las been lowering around
the twelve cent mark for some time
with the the prospect of going higher.
1t is safe to sap that the Union and
Cotton Association are responsible for
it not being down to the eight cent
mark. Keep up the fight Great good
has already been accomplished and
prospects for the future are bright
indeed.
It is not the legislator who proposes
and passes the greatest number OF
laws that Is ALWAYS doing the best