The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-06


 creasing for several years, so that the taxes collected are not sufficient to meet current expenses, much less pay old scores. In order to cure this disastrous business system the legislature created a state tax commission With power to equalize assessed valuations so far as pos sible, and it is hoped that valuations will be increased to such an extent that no county will receive more money from the state than 1t pays in, as a score or more of them do now. It was found that in some counties mules worth $25O each were assessed at an advance of $40, that lands worth, and which could not be purchased for less than $50 to s75, were assessed at less than $10. Lands that are good for bale and a half of cotton or 50 bushels of corn per acre were found by the legislature to be assessed at about SS, while other lands that would not and never did make quarter Of bale per acre, nor more than 20 bushels of corn were assessed at much greater figures.
 The tax commissioners have found that they are up against a serious problem, but they are taking the county assessors into their confidencse, and are cultivat- ing the boards of supervisors and ap- pealing to the sense of fairness of the taxpayers so consistently that It beg1ns to look like assessed valuations are go- ing to be, largely increased without re- sort to drastic measures The property is here to raise tax money to meet all the states obligations as well as current expenses, and pay off the $3,oOoOOo bond ed indebtedness inside of two or three years if valued for taxation what 1t is worth-and that is what the state tax commissioners are expected to do.
 CRUSHING PLANT LOCATED
 The nenitentiary board of trustees have at last located the limerock crushing plant they were directed by the 1egisla- ture to establish In south Mlsslsslppi, but they got it within few miles or the Alabama line, at Waynesporo, ana thus both plants are on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, and on the eastern side of the state, the one for north Mississippi being at Oklona. The trustees found an abundance of limestone nearer the center of the state, but removed mile or two from the railroads. and said rail roads would not cooperate in building spur track to the quarry. It is expected that the trustees in building a spur tol supply the farmers of the state with crushed limerock at about SIPS per ton, freight added, and the railroad commis- sion is looked to for rates that will not be prohibitive. Machinery that will crush eight tons per day will be installed as soon as possible; in fact, has already
  erected on the sites for the accommoda- ton of the force of convicts that are to do the work at state expense. REFERENDUM CASE APPEALED
 The attorney general has filed his ap- peal in the referendum case that Chan cellor Taylor decided against the state a few days snce and it is understood that the justices of the supreme court will assemble in special session shortly after +l, fo o<rixr ing to the cause. The contention of the prohibition forces is that the referendum amendment to the constitution did not carry in the election last, summer and that the legislature improperly inserted it, so that the new liquor law-the one quart every two weeks law-cannot be repealed by referendum vote. It is charged that they are afraid to let the question go before the people of the state, l knowing they are disgusted with such legislation and such curtailment of their rights and personal liberties, and all they want is a whack at the law. This may or may not be true, but certain 1t is that the court proceedings have the propos- | tion tied up, and the secretary of state is enjoined from ordering an election. | Should the supreme court agree with the | chancellor to the effect that the initiative l and referendum amendment was illegal ly inserted in the constitution, that ends | 1t, and there will be no election; should | the chancellor be reversed the injunction will be dissolved and the election held next November. Should the election car l ry Mississippians will be found once more ordering their Jersey lightning by the gallon and every day, if they want it, instead of one quart only every two weeks as is provided under the Weak ley bill.''
 VANCANT SCHOLARSHIPS |
 State Superintendent of Education Smith announces that there are four va cant scholarships in the George Pea body College for Teachers at Nashville, | Tenn. for some bright young Mississip- l plans, and applications are invited These sscholarhips are in what is known as the | Seaman A. Knapp School of Country | Life," and will be awarded to young | men and women who are preparing to | educational work in the country.
 One of these scholarships is offered i by the Commercial-Appeal of Memphis, l and has a cash value of $100.
 Another is offered by Montgomery l Ward & Co. of Chicago, and is worth | $15o.
 The Charles Scott scholarship, given by Charles Scott, a wealthy citizen of RosedaIe. and preferably for boys of his county, Bolivar is worth S1OO.
 The Judge Edward Scott scholarship, also given by Charles Scott, has a cash value of $10o. and Is intended for some young man who has proved himself dis tinguished in practical agriculture and has the recommendation of the state di- rector of farm demonstration work.
 An effort to secure one or the other of these scholarships is we'll worth the while of the young men of Mississippi. 1 but the condition is taht the applicant