Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-03-05

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farmers to whom cotton making
a trade transmitted from genera
tion to generation and the onl
trade they thoroughly understand
In view of existing conditions an,
the mysteries of the future tn
Examiner now as always counsel
as the only safe policy the MAXIM
of essential food crops and all tn
cotton possible as a standby and
surplus, to be carefully handled
and judiciously marketed.
In the war zone of Europe the,
are preparing to utilize every acr,
of available land for the produc
tion of root crops for the main
tainence of the army and people
and prizes are being offered for the
earliest harvests. Millions ofacre.
heretofore planted in sugar beet.
and grain, will be given to pota
toes, turnips, cabbage, beets, car
rots and pumpkins. The wise
southern farmer will follow this
example and on a small acreage
vastly improve the quantity and
quality of his food supply for his
family and stock. In France and
England they are temporarily con.
verting their great parks into
sheep and cattle pastures with a
view to increase the meat supply.
History records no race possess
ing our advantages and opportun-
tiles. Here in the south to the
land owner there is but a narrow
gap between poverty and affluence,
and any man with health and will
can easily bridge it. Poverty is q
crime to the owner of a dozen or
two arable acres and is absolutely
unknown among that class in 9th
er countries where industry is bur
dened by all kinds of imposts and
exactions. 1t is pitiable to see
strong men soliciting petty credits
for articles of absolute mainten-
ance, WHO should be In the market
as lenders of money. But it takes
all kinds ofpeople to make a world.
The toll on a vessel passing
through the great canal, is $1. 20
per ton, and the expense of the
haul is about $500, making a total
for a thousand ton ship 81, 500, and
for five thousand ton vessel &c.,
300. Now those who favored ex-
emption for the protected and fav-
bred American coasting vessels vot-
ed to surrender this great sum to
The shipping trust that gave moth
lng in return. and yet certain ad-
Vocates of that measure opposed
Is ''subsidy" the Presidents ship
purchase bill.
Ihe suspension and apparent
allure of the Presidents ship pur-
,hase bill, has been a heavy blow
10 the cotton producers having
ieadened the export market by
eaving the shipping in the hands
# the shipping trust with it's
'n0rmous profits and dividends.
The blow is not so severe to the
vheat growing interests, as the
var demand compels sales and ex-
'orts regardless of freight and
landling charges.
The Talmud tells us that stthe
Vay to keep the streets of Jerusa.
em clean is for every man to sweep |
'efore his own door," This maxim |
8 peculiarly applicable to agricul-
ure. Every farmer knows what |
best to be done so far as his own
lolding is concerned, and it is his |
'ounden duty to apply the broom
vhether his neighbor sweeps ornot. |
With every one sweeping order
1ust come out of chaos and gener-
| prosperity ensue.
That there will be many sacri-
ces of neutral ships and cargoes
uring the pending war is certain,
nd there seems to be little chance
f avoiding these disasters or of
equital except by treaty when
ostilities cease. But there is no
xcuse for murder such as is, in
olved in torpedoing by subma-
ines of merchant ships without
'arning.
How about that ''secret caucus"
! Senator Bank heads room,
here seven conspiring senators
evised ways and means for the
efeat of the Presidents ship pur-
hase bill? Several of those sena.
,rs had basis for their action as
ley naturally supported the ship
ing trust that was a local inter
It, but no such motive stimulat-
l the others.
A prominent cotton buyer re-
arked last week that he would
Dt be surprised to see October cot.
IN selling at eleven cents. We
D not know the basis of his ex-
ectations but as a guess it islabout