The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-15
SUMTER IS AFTER
 BETTER HIGHWAYS Roads Due To Rains Are
 Well Nigh Impossible MAY ABOLISH OFFICE
Movement on Food Around Cuba To Do Away With County Treasurer and Drawing Jurors By Commits
 sion-Cattle Industry Grows

Cuba, April 14,-(Special) 1.-The eontinu- ous rains, with consequent impossible roads, has brought the question of road improvement to the front as never before in Sumter county. All interests are suf- fering, and especially the farmers who cannot haul out any fertilizers to amount to anything. Some years ago the county issued bonds in the sum of s12o0lO for road betterment. which was so applied as to do but little permanent good. As things now stand all of this fund is ex- hausted and there is no money in the treasury to keep the, road machines going as fully as they should.
 May Abolish Office
 movement is on foot to create sentl- ment looking to the abolishment of the office of county treasurer and also to abolishng the present method of draw ing jurors by a commission. It has gen. eraly proven unsatisfactory in this coum- ty and a burden on the taxpayers that can be oviated-
 Another matter that is provoking some discussion is the fee system and the rather heavy cost of operating the county. It is said that more than 40 per cent of the revenues go for salaries, and it is also said that by putting offices on salary basis more than s50OO per annum could be saved
 Rate Decision Discussed
 A topic widely discussed here is the re cent decision of Federal Judge Jones in the matter of freight rates made by the Conner administration, which he decided were conhscatory, although the counsel for the state declares that the Louisville and Nashville in particular made $27o 90o more hauling passengers under the 1res- ent rate than the former one of cents. So far the Alabama Great Southern has not given notice of any raise and it is remain in statu quo for the present. Re lations between carriers and the public here is very friendly and if any ad vances are made the people will be in- clined to feel that they are warranted, although the old cent rate for passen- gers would likely provoke some discord if put in again.
 Torrential Rains
 1orrential rains for the past two days continue to greatly hamper farmers who are now blowing in the rain in order that lands may be prepared for cotton. Pi'ae- ticaly no cotton has been planted so far, and the impression is general that oy req son of the late start boil weevil damage may amount to considerable.
 Truck continues backward and the out look IS none too good. Peas may be nov ing by May l. The rains have hindered the growth of strawberries and they con- tinue backward with no ear lots in sight yet.
 Cotton Industry
 The cattle industry continues to grow in favor, the newest recruit being J Brewster, who lives just over the line in Mississippi. He has recently purchased. so it is said, over 100 acres for pasturage purposes only and will commence in small way with Herefords. ". F. Me- Gowen & Co. are highly pleased with the showing they made last year and are adding more pure bred stock to their herd.
 Cuba Bankers Will Attend
 Officials of the Bank of Cuba will at tend the meeting of Group of the Ala bama Bankers association, to be held in Selma on April 24:. l.. Poole and w. E. McGowen will discuss the subject, "Agri- culture: How to Make Our Acres More Productive"
 School Closes
 The closing exercises Of the Yantley High school took place this week and were very successful. On Wednesday night the music class under the direction of Miss Irma Coo kgave splendid recital. while the exercises on Thursday were above the usual high order for which Vanity is noted. Dinner was served on the grounds to a large crowd, while at night the closing concert was rendered by home talent to crowd the house would not hold.