The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-12-02


do this. Systems of rural credit nave
been studied and developed on the
other side of the water while we left
orr farmers to shift for themselves IN
the ordinary money market. you
have but to look about you in any rurai
district to see the result, the handicap |
and embarrassment which have been
put upon those who produce our 1000
Conscious Of this backwardness
and neglect on our part, the Congress
recently authorized the creation OF
special commission to study the vari-
GUS systems of rural credit which have
been put into operation in Europe
and this commission is already pre-
pared to report. It's report ought to
make it easier for us to determine
what methods will be best suited TO
our own farmers. l hope and belleve
that the committees of the Senate and
House will address themselves to this
matter with the most fruitful results,
and believe that the studies and re-
Gently formed plans of the Department
of Agriculture may be made to serve
them very greatly in their work OF
framing appropriate and adequate leg
islation. 1t would be indiscreet and
presumptuous in anyone to dogmatlze
upon so great and many-sided ques-
ton. but feel confident that common
counsel will produce the results we
must all desire.
Opposed to Private Monopoly.
Turn from the farm to the world OF
business which centers in the city and
in the factory, and l think that all
thoughtful observers will agree that
the immediate service we owe the
business communities of the country
is to prevent private monopoly more
effectually than it has yet been pre-
vented. think it will be easily
agreed that we should let the Sher-
man antitrust law stand, unaltered, as
it is, with its debatable ground about
it. but that we should as much as pos
sible reduce the area of that debatable
ground by further and more explicit
= legislation; and should also supple
ment, that great act by legislation
which will not only clarity it but also
facilitate it's administration and make
it fairer to ain concerned. No doubt
we shall all WISH and the country will
expect, this to be the central subject
Of our deliberations during the pres
ent session; but it is a subject sc
nany.siGed and so deserving of care
full and discriminating discussion thai
. | shall take the liberty of addressmt
you upon it in special Mosaic at
later date than this. 1t is Of capita
importance that the busir ess men o
this country should be relieved OF al
uncertainties of law with regard t.
their enterprises ami investments ant
a clear path indicated which they cal
. travel With ut anxiety. 1t is as impoI
tant tba-. they should be relieved o
embarrassment and set free to pros
per as that private monopoly Shout
be destroyed The ways of actio
should be thrown wide open.
, Favors Presidential Primaries.
l. turn to a subject which hope ca
t. be handled promptly and without ser
v Gus controversy of any kind. mea
~ the method of selecting nominees fc
le the Presidency of the United States
n feel confident that | do not misil
10 tnrpret the wishes or the expectation
g. of the country when urge the promI
Dr. enactment of legislation which wi
in provide for primary elections throug
O. out the country at which the votel
Is of the several parties may choos
A. their nominees for the Presidenc
ct without the intervention of nomina
le ing conventions. | venture the su
OF gestion that this legislation shoul
as provide for the retention of party co
n ventions but only for the purpose
declaring and accepting the verdict
the primaries and formulating the pla
forms of the parties; and | sugge
le that these conventions should consi
as not of delegates chosen for this sing
#. purpose, but of the nominees for Co
re gress, the nominees for vacant sea
r. in the Senate of the United States, Il
Id Senators whose terms have not y
rk closed, the national committees, al
d. the candidates for the Presiden'
Nv themselves, in order that platform
H. may be framed by those responsib
to to the people for carrying them in
nj. effect