The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-07-30
PROSPECTS FOR A
CANNING FACTORY
Gone Into at Some Length and a
Committee Appointed to Arrange
For Same.-FeW Farmers Present.

The directors of the Commercial
Club met at the club rooms yesterday
afternoon to discuss the matter of ar
ranging for the reception of Mr.. j. NJ.
Pratt, assistant U. S. engineer, to
Major Jervey, at Mobile, who will be
here next week for the purpose of be-
ginning a preliminary survey Of Leaf
River to determine the matter of a
| further appropriation for the improve
ment of the river A committee with
DR.. Donald as chairman was appoint
ed to make all the arrangements for
entertainment and for taking the party
down the river. This committee is
as follows: Mayor Donald, F. w.
Foote, r. L. Bennett, w. A. Collins,
H. A. Camp, J. A. Hearn, T. S. Jack
son and NJ. l.. Bixler
President Jackson appointed Messrs
Foote, Bennett and Collins a commit
tee on ways and means to raise the
money necessary to pay the expense of
this entertainmnt. AS this is a matter
for the benefit of Hattiesburg and as
part of the entertainment will be Of
a public nature, without regard TO
membership in the club, everybody
will be expected to contribute.
The matter of a South Mississippi
Fair to be located in Hattiesburg was
next considered and a resolution adopt
ed approving the plan and pledging
the support of the club to the fair.
1t was decided to ask the railways en-
tering Hattiesburg to contribute their
share to the enterprise as they would
be more directly benefited than any
other interest. Before appointing the
committee to take the matter in hand
the directors adjourned to the court
house to attend the meeting which had
been called to discuss the feasibility
of small canning factory to take care
of the cane and sweet potatoes being
raised in this vicinity. There was a
good attendance of club members and
business men but few farmers. Pres
ident Jackson called the meeting to
order and a short address was made
by Mayor Donald. Mr.. NJ. L. Ward was
called for and discussed the subject at
length, showing that a very high grade
of syrup could be made and that it
must be made uniform to bring the
best price. Mr.. Ward stated that he
was willing to take stock in a ten
thousand dollar concern and thought
that it would be necessary to have |
that much to make a success. The
question was asked as to how many
acres had been planted in cane but |
only twenty-five acres of cane was |
reported by those present. A motion |
was then made to appoint committee |
to canvass the county and find out |
how much cane is in cultivation. Mr..
w. A. Johnson was appointed chair
man and authorized to select four
1t was then moved that |
committee of three be appointed to in
vestigate the kind of machinery need |
ed and the cost. The motion prevail
ing, the president appointed the fol-
lowing committee. J. A. Quick, ]. A.
Travis and T. o. Watkins.
The matter of securing subscriptions
was then discussed and a motion
adopted to appoint a committee OF
five to solicit subscriptions for stock
in the proposed canning factory. The
president appointed the following CON-
mittee: M. L. Ward, chairman; ]. B.
w. A. Johnson, NJ. ]. Epley
and NJ. G. Field.
In the matter of South Mississippi
Fair to be held in Hattiesburg, after
The plans for the organization had
been discussed President Jackson was Il