The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1944-09-22
A Banker Talks

Editors Note: The following editorial. written by
Major James z. Crown. of the New Orleans States. noted
Southern editor. is reprinted from the September 10th
issue of that newspaper. The editorial was occasioned by
a news story in last weeks issue of the Chronicle Star and
Advertiser. reporting a speech made by Mr.. Herring to
the Moss Point Rotary club.
W. B. Herring, chairman of the Moss Point Rural Ac-
quaintance Committee, and well-known banker, recently
advised the people of Jackson county, Mississippi, to use
what the Lord gave"
In a Rotary club address, he declared that people of his
community can never be financially independent until they
learn to take advantage of the resources of their particular
section. What he said applies, not only to his own county
of Jackson, but to every community In the country, es-
pecially in the South.
Mr.. Herring believes and advocates that every section
of rural America should be educated in the proper nipple
ments to use for most efficient farming. He says that Jack
son county should never have one big money crop, but sew
eral throughout the year.
Why bring in foreign crops?n Mr.. Herring asked.
Use what the Lord gave us! We have favorable conditions
cows in steam-heated barns six months out of the year and
feed them like they do in Wisconsin and Minnesota! What
we lack is cows. We don't have the proper kind and as
many as we should have
he banker then vent on TO discuss the value of forests
and fields if properly cultivated, handled and developed.
ae doesn't believe in reckless experiments on a large scale
as a start, but progress should be gradual and safe. He be-
moaned the fact that his people are inclined to take things
our rural communities we get by with too little work and
too little planning: If our acres were properly titled and
made to produce the kind of crops they are capable of, the
wealth of this part OF the country would grow at an amaz-
ing rate
farmers and residents of rural districts, and it is a good
one. He suggests that Rotary clubs hold meetings at various
points and there place before the people Just what their
land is capable of doing and how ~, should go about de-
velopment. He would arrange for the women of each par
ticu1ar community to prepare dinner at a set price per
plate and invite residents of each district to attend as guests
of Rotary. He believes that this would not only advance
friendiness, but pave the way for a program of education.
Bankers have to be good businessmen in order to sue
coed. They are the custodians of the peoples money and
have to know how best to invest it. It is to their interest
in the land in this Southland of ours, if we but do our best
rural community seeks to solve the problems of the farmer
and those in business in hamlets and crossroads. The
wealth of America, and especially the South, will never
reach What. it sould be until our people learn to develop the
fields and the forests.
Mr.. Herring is right when he says a campaign of edu-
cation is needed. While he was talking about Jackson
county and his own immediate vicinity, what he said ap-
plies to all of this broad land of ours.
Education and sweat and toll will bring the South to
that pinnacle of prosperity and happiness which it should
occupy.