The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-02-06
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr.. Mays on Current Topics.

of 1912 has passed and we approach the
threshold of the second month of the
new year we find the volume of business
of 1912 pretty nearly rounded out. The
general maneuvers of the merchants and
farmers of North Bossier seem to be-
speak the fact prosperity has once
again overshadowed this section of the
woods. New fences, new fields and new
houses are to be seen, and the farmers,
seemingly, wear new faces.
One year ago the common talk was
hard times, a scarcity Of feed stuffs and
high prices for the necessities THAT must
be brought to the farm. The blessing of
a good feed crop seems to have elimi-
mated such conditions. AS result six
or eight cars of fine, fat hogs have been
shipped to Northern and Western mar
kets, representing six or eight thousand
dollars, together with about eighteen
cars of cattle at say $500 per car, we
figure approximately $4,000 to the
farmers and stock raisers. AS total,
we find the surplus stock marketed from
the prosperous little town of Plain
Dealing to be $4,000. This the writer
considers very nice sum for the farmers
who raised them.
Stock raising is a very important side
line that rightly belongs to farmers. He
who neglects it is doing himself and his
business very grave injustice. Stock
raising is one great enterprise that is
fast making and will continue to make
the Sunny South the most prosperous
section of the Union.
l notice from the proceedings of the
January meeting of the Police Jury that,
in their wisdom, that body saw tit to
make the liberal donation of 5000 to
demonstration farm work, if like sum
can be raised by individual subscrip-
tons, meaning s4OO in good money
spent in advocating cause long lost by
the United States Agricultural Depart
ment. Say, Mr.. Stockraiser, how about
striking the jury for liberal appropria-
ton to build public dipping watts in
proper localities throughout the parish
for the purpose OF eradicating the cattle
tick and hog lice, which are costing the
stock raisers thousands of dollars each
year? The police juries of several other
parishes are making such appropria-
tons. Our business is proven success,
for we are delivering the cash. With
these tanks located properly every
farmer would dip his cattle, hogs and
colts. With one years experience, l
find a marked improvement in the con-
dition of my stock and corresponding
increase in earnings. Let's strike 'em,
boys; what do you say? The little
$4,000 overdraw doesn't seem to excite
them. The fifty-mile demonstration
road suggested by the Hon. J. T. Wat
kins will only cost Bossier $4,000, while
there can't be as many as dozen white
farmers living on or near to the pro-
posed road, or rather that stretch lead
ing from Shreveport to Minden. True,
it will be quite nice drive for the
owners of automobiles residing in those
two towns. If the members of the jury
will stop to reflect moment, these peo-
pie can go on first-class passenger
trains, as the L. and A. runs in and out
twice a day. l fear the sum realized
from the sale of eight or ten parish
mules, recently sold, will be inadequate
to defray the expense of building this
splendid proposed auto road. And, in
the mean time, we wonder and wonder
what will be done with the good roads
that the people really use. Wait and
we'll see. l know that the revenues de-
rived with which to maintain roads anC
4 bridges are insufficient to meet the
, demands.
This great problem now confronts the
+ Police Jury: What will be the bes
dodge to make? That is the perplexine
: question to both the people and the jury
. This is an age of prosperity and pro.
erosion. Neither the jury or the people
can afford to step backward. have only
one solution to suggest-ask for more
revenues. We will pay it. He wht
. would complain of paying twice, or three
times, for road maintenance might vel
be considered narrow in his business
views. We should not expect something
6 for nothing. The Police Jury OF Bossier
or that of any other parish, cannot NEE
$50, 600 in costs per annum with a $1,000
income. The overdraw, as natura
!, consequence, will become greater iron
Y year to year.
In conclusion, regret to note the res
ignation of our Parish Treasurer, MI
w. H. Scanland, for he is deservin,
. and honorable man, and one OF the ranl
. who stood staunch throughout the dar
days OF reconstruction, and since ha
ever exercised his great usefulness TO
the betterment and upbuilding of GU
:, parish, ever faithful in the performance
. of his many duties. For this trust, s
well imposed and never abused, he ha
installed in the hearts of his man
? friends a kind recollection. May hi
. latter days be those most fruitful c
pleasure. Your friend,
G.. T. MAYS.
? Red Land. La. Jan, q, 1918,