The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1938-08-18
through
Hazel
Eyes

Holmes county's fifth annual brood
mare and colt show has been pro-
claimed the most successful ever
held. A crowd estimated at from
1000 to 5000 people were on the
grounds practically all day. 1t is
believed that at .least 5000 people
visited the show grounds during the
day and looked the stock over.
Some beautiful animals were shown
in the exhibit which stands as a
tribute to Holmes county's progressive
farmers. Most OF them were sleek
and well groomed animals who look
ed like they had had the best of
care.
1t has been suggested by several
groups that the mare and colt show
be enlarged to embrace all kinds Of
livestock. With the success of the
show what II is now we would not
be surprised to see some group take
an active interest in promoting such
a move.
Southern farmers and business men
will be glad to learn that following
the report on the economic condi-
ton Of the south, recently submitted
to the President by the National
Emergency Council, a fight will be
made henceforth by the Department
OF Agriculture to obtain fair treat
ment for transportation Of farm pro-
ducts.
The present freight rates seriously
handicap southern manufacturers in
bidding for eastern business and make
1t possible for eastern firms to sup
ply southern business cheaper in
many cases than can southern mani
featuring firms.
1t Is heartening to know that the
machinery OF the AAA has just be-
gun to function in order to avoid
this discrimination in freight rates
against southern farmers. In the
future the secretary OF agriculture
may intervene in the interest of in
dividuals or cooperatives, or initiate
complaints on his own account when
there Is an obvious discrimination in
rates in agricultural products.
Now IL we obtain equal rates on
everything else the south will be
ready to assume its place in the Sun
TO take sides In a political contest
is to destroy public confidence in our
impartiality and fairness. 1t engcn-
ders friction and taxpaying resis-
lance. and thereby defeats the very
principle upon which we are operat-
ing this department. The coopera-
ton, confidence. and goodwill of the
~taxpaying pubic are just as neces-
sary to us as Is customer goodwill
to al Industrial enterprise. 1t is
necessary hat the public should know
and understand that we are operating
a business institution-not a political
machine"
The above statement was made In
a letter sent to the employees of thu
State Tax Commission and to the
public by the members Of the Com
= = AtoiACt OtAt L. LIZ
son and Bruce Van Zandt
The statement was made In order
to make clear to the departments em-
ployees and to the public that the
six year old policy of non-participa
ton in political affairs would con-
tinue to be strictly adhered to.
1t is largely due to this broad and
wise policy that Mississippi today has
one of the most efficient tax-collectinx
organizations in the nation. The ad-
ministration of the tax laws in this
state is second to none.
The reason the State Tax Commits
sion has been able to secure the won
derful cooperation it has is due to
the fact the public feels like it is
doing it's job impartially and fairly
with the same kind Of treatment for
everyone.
If every department of government
in Mississippi could be as free of
graft and political consideration as
h State Tax Commission perhaps
that surplus in Jackson would be
lots bigger.
The. State Tax Commission is not
seeking any special approval on its
policy. 1t is only doing it's duty
to as it should. Every public officer
should feel it is his duty to administer
his office to the. best of his ability to
everyone alike.
But how many of them do?