St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1914-12-19
LEAGUE AFTER LOWER
RATES ON EXPRESS
Opelousas Body-Half It's
Subscription Secured
Already Working.

Louisiana State R. r. Commission
has joined in the demand for the
reduction Of express rates on
merchandise, silver, beer, etc.,
raised last winter on all weight
packages Whereon the Parcel
Post, under the fifty pound regu-
lation, was competitive.
The case was heard Tuesday at
Baton Rouge. with representa-
tives of Lafayette Chamber of
Commerce, the originator of the
fight and Of other commercial
bodies outside of New Orleans,
forcing the issue. The case was
taken under advisement by the
commission, with every indiea-
ton that the petition will be
granted, effecting thereby for
Opelousas what amounts practi-
cally to a fiat reduction of 20
Gper cent over present express
rates.
Many Of the country people are
showing their interest in the pro-
posed bringing of the agricultural
short course from the University
for a three day sojourn here i'm
mediately after New Years but
not a sufficient number have
registered yet to warrant the
venture. Every man who is in
terested in cattle, hogs or poul-
try growing, the building Of silos
or the diversifcation and market
ing of crops should make haste
to register his intention Of at
tending the course at the Office of
the League, any Opelousas bank.
or the Clarion Office. There are
no fees required, but the league
must he assured of an attendance
commensurate with the impor-
tance Of the work, and the high
character of the faculty who.
with Drs. Dalrymple and Dodson
at the head, are conducting the
school.
Manager Switzer reports over
half of the necessary funds for
the conduct of the League dur
ing the coming year, already
pledged, with the strong proba-
biIity that this proportion will be
increased to three -fourths by the
close of the present week, some
large interests having promised
early favorable consideration of
| the matter. Despite the unfav-
4
orable business conditions he
says that the first thousand dol
lars has been easier to secure
than in the case Of some commu-
mites he has worked in when
business conditions were better
and he is so sure Iof raising the
necessary funds that he has al
ready entered correspondence
with prospective candidates for
the permanent managership of
| the organization.
Those who have read the re-
ports and recommendations Of
the State Bankers Association
| at their special in Alexandria
Tuesday will note how closely
| the proposed operation of the
League conforms to the plans
they promulgated for the solu-
ton of some of the agricultural
and economic problems confront
ing our people. Proper credits,
equalized freight rates, and CO.
operative marketing are the ne
cessities II we are to reduce our
cotton acreage and diversity our
crops the coming year. And it
is only through concerted and
sympathetic effort on the part of
all our interests, through prop
er. business-like organization,
that these ends can be achieved.
A live commercial organiza-
tion in a community is not a cure
Iall for its evil conditions but
along certain specified lines it
can do more than any other
agency for their relief. at a cost,
collective and individual, incon-
sequential compared with the
benefits gained.