The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1940-08-15
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Hazel
Eyes
BY
Hazel Brannon

person in Holmes county. The reduc-
tions on many commodities amount
TO as much as twenty percent, a nice
saving for both business nan and
consumer.
Our first reaction to this announce
ment was that perhaps it might make
more equitable the freight rates in
the north and south. The south has
long labcred under the distinct handi-
cap of unjust rates compared to the
east and other sections Of the coun-
try. 1t costs much more to ship pro-
ducts out of the south into the east
than it does to ship the same pro-
ducts from the east into the south.
However, we find on further in
vestigation that this reduction eff
fected by the Illinois Central is going
to be made by other rail lines in the
east as well.
Thus the same differential that
has existed for nearly four decades
will continue until the south can
make further progress in it's fight for
equalization.
This fight has been long and will
be unceasing until just equalization
is obtained. The rates We're placed
thus so that eastern industry might
progress at the expense Of the south.
1t is only one of many instances
where the south is still paying for
having lost the War between the
States.
Only when such barriers as unjust
freight rates and high tariffs are
dealt with fairly will the south even
really be in the Union.
Until greater progress can be
made, however, we can at least be
grateful that we are going to OBJ
tain very shortly a bit Of relief in the
way Of freight rates.
Shocid the compulsory military
training bill pass it seems as though
the recent census taken by the u. S.
government could be used to good
advantage in the matter of registra-
tion.
1t should be unnecessary to re-
gister all the men of the United
States of any ages. The government
should already have that record just
completed.
Rather than having a registration
period it looks like officials would
proceed Immediately to call out the
desired number of men for training.
Those claiming exemption and get
ting it could be replaced in the same
way.
By using the census records the
program Of compulsory training could
certainly be expedited and the clerical
work and expense lessened to a con-
siderable degree.
A group of Chiffon county farmers
have gone on record as opposing the
Burke-W adsworth CONSUMPTION bill,
citing the difference in wage scale
for WPA labor and conscripted men,
saying the bill is "unwarranted, UNI
justified and not necessary
1t is hardly likely that any man
being conscripted in the u. S. army
will relish the idea of board and $2l
per month. 1t will be a sacrifice for
practically every man in training to
serve his country for a year.
The idea of compulsory training,
however, is not to give the men jobs
but rather to train so that in event
of war this country may be prepared
to fight.
1t is extremely unjust to expect a
man to give up a year of his life
for training at $21 a month and pay
other men on WPA more money just
because they do not have jobs.
They should be the first ones to be
cut in the army. In the time of their
when they did not have
jobs, the government made jobs for
them.
Now, il this so-called national m
Urgency it is time for the WPA'ers
to reciprocate.
They should be the first to volun-
teer and serve their country IN any
capacity desired.
Friday, August 16, is the date of
the biggest event in Holmes county,
the annual brood mare and colt show.
Thousands of II o m e S countians,
black and white, will journey to Lex
ington to see the honie-raised work
stock and to set the free barbecue
served by Lexington Jaycees and
business men.
Shortly after nine o'clock the first
event will take place, a big parade
featuring many beautiful saddle
Horses ridden by All Club girls. The
Lexington School band will furnish
the music for this feature and the
rest Of the day will be crammed full
of delightful events planned for
young and old.
The mare and colt show was start
ed on a very small scale several years
ago and its growth has been nothing
short Of phenomenal. The interest in
livestock that it has created among
county farmers has been worth much