The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1946-09-05

HAZEL
EYES
az HAZEL

Every NlSoiSSiPPiaA - justly RAodh
of being a citiben of one of the
great agricultural states of Tire
nation. We are proud of the pro-
duction record of Mississippi farm
ers during the war. With reduced
/ labor and few new tools they have
produced bumper crops to meet the
needs of the world. The income
from Mississippi's agricultural pro-
ducts has reached a new all-time
high since Pearl Harbor.
But there is another truth that
all Mississippians must face and
the sooner this truth is faced frankly
and squarely the better for every
man, woman and child in our state,
whether they live on the farm or
in town.
That truth is just this-so long
as Mississippi depends largely upon
raw production for its income just
so long will Mississippi remain the
poorest state in the nation.
For example, with the highest
agricultural income in its history in
1914 Mississippi's per capita annual
income totaled only $4,000, the low
est In the nation.
The answer to this problem is
more processing, more manufacture
ing, more industrial jobs and pay
rolls IN Mississippi so that a sound
balance between agriculture and in
dustry may be enjoyed.
Realizing this fact the Mississippi
legislature in 1914 enacted the BAL
iance Agriculture With Industry Act"
which gives to municipalities and
other governmental subdivisions the
right to issue bonds for the erection
of industrial buildings which a
be leased to private industry.
Mississippi communities, because
Of this BAWI Act, thus have some
thing to offer industry that the COM
munities Of no other state have. In
stead of asking industry to locate
in the community, build a building,
install machinery, employ local peo-
pie and finance the entire operation,
Mississippi communities can say to
industry: 'You provide the machin-
cry, supply the know-how, hire the
people, provide the payrolls and we
will erect a modern industrial build
ing to meet your needs. You can
lease it with an option to buy II you
so desire in the future"
Industrialists are attracted by this
proposition for many reasons. 1t cuts
down their initial investment. 1t
proves that local people have faith
ii their own community when they
are willing to invest local funds in
a building. It gives the industrialist
confidence in the community and its
people. In fact, the entire plan Is
lust plain, down-to-earth sound bust
ness. It's good horse-sense. 1t Is the
"plus'' which we now have In Mis-
-sissippi.
That's why the officials OF Lex
ington have ordered a $3.50 DOC. New
Industry Bond election for Monday,
Sept. 30th. On this date Lexington
citizens will have IN opportunity to
do something about our low per
capita income and they'll have an
opportunity to take advantage OF the
highly favorable Balance Agricui-
ture With Industry Act. -.
The bonds will not be sold until
we close a contract with a spectre
industry. We simply vote our APP
prevail now and sell the bonds and
erect the building after we have
secured a sound industry.
Lexington has in this election an
onnort1rnitv to get in the march or
state progress and to secure an in
dustrv that will provide pobs and
pavrolls down through the years.
Let's all do our part to carry the
election by a big majority that we
NAV enjoy the benefits that win
come to every citizen when our per
.capita income is not just $56s.oo ~.
rather S1500.O0 per year, or more!
Hasten that day.