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LET’S BOOST
JACKSON AND
BUTTS COUNTY
VOL. 49—No. 9
GEORGIA TO GO
m GASH BASIS
GOVERNOR-ELECT HARDWICK
SAYS IT IS TIME FOR STRICT
ECONOMY. TOO MANY
BOARDS, HE DECLARES
The state of Georgia will be plac
ed upon a strictly cash basis during
i administration, and its credit and
reputation will be saved the injury
that they have suffered from the in
ability of the treasury to pay
promptly funds that have been ap
propriated for various institutions
and activities, declared Governor
elect Thomas W. Hardwick in ad
dressing the Atlanta Real Estate
3oard Thursday at the Capital City
club, in a speech that was remark
able for its clarity and frankness. •
No state in the union is in better i
shape in its fundamental finances
than Georgia, the Governor-elect de
clared. Georgia’s bonded debt is far
below the average and the state is
possessed of revenue returning prop
erty the Western and Atlantic Rail
road, which is worth several times
the $6,000,000 bonded indebtedness.
“There is no state in our union
whose finances are in such splendid
shape,” said Mr. Hardwick. “Un
fortunately, however, Georgia’s
credit has been reflected upon and
injured in the eyes of those not fa
miliar with the facts through the
inability of the state treasury to pay
warrants to meet al obligations, as
they fall due. It has been necessary
to borrow money with which to de
fray the cuiment expenses.
“When I become governor, the
state is going upon a cash basis, and
Georgia is going to pay as it goes.
I shall insist that the legislature ap
propriate no funds until adequate
provision has been made to assure
that' the funds will be available
when needed to meet the obligations
thus created.”
The governor-elect expressed the
deepest interest in the development
and maintenance of the state insti
tutions and declared that he favored
a liberal policy toward all of them.
Time for EconoC~y
“But it is futile and absurd to
appropriate funds for cur colleges
mid our schools and our pensioners
until we make adequate provision
for raising the funds and having w
in the treasury and available for the
payment of warrants when they be
come due. "
“The warrants of the state of
Georgia and the credit of the state
shall not be hawked about during
,-ny administration if I can help it,
and I promise you that I will assert
the stem power of veto to prevent
it, if that becomes necessary. It
isn’t right, it isn’t fair, it isn’t busi
ness for the great state of Georgia
to call and rely upon private inter
ests to finance our institutions.”
Governor-elect Hardwick attended
the realtors’ luncheon as their guest
of honor to discuss the subject of
taxation. His remarks concerning
the finances of the state were pre
liminary to a general discussion of
taxes, which Mr. Hardwick smilingly
declared was a subject generally un
unpopular with all classs.
Mr. Hardwick expressed the view
that the income tax is the fairest
and most equitable scheme of taxa
tion thus far devised, especially in
mo far as the federal government is
concerned, but, he added, be hoped
t would be unnecessary for the
state to resort immediately to this
method of taxation.
“The time is upon us in this pe
riod of deflation for retrenchment
and economy in government, as well
as in business,” he said. As govern
or of Georgia, I am going to strive
relentlessly to hold expenditures to
the minimum. I am going to dis
courage appropriations that arc not
essential, and I am persuaded that
there are many boards and commis
sions and agencies of that kind
which may be dispensed with. They
may or may not be all right in their
vay, but the present period of strin
gency is no time for squandering the
money of the people in the main
tenance of agencies that are not ab
solutely essential.”
Mr. Hardwick declared that in
jrging a policy of retrenchment in
expenditures he will be moved pri
marily by recognition of the fact
that the time is not now ripe to lay
additional burdens of taxation upon
the people. It will be said, his ef
fort to make the burden of taxation
as light as possible.
“You realtors here assembled are,
of course, especially interested in
the taxation of visible or tangible
property,” he said. “What you
nave and what you handle never es
;apes the tax collector. It is in sight
THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS
WORKMEN’S ACT WAS
EFFECTIVE TUESDAY
CITY OF JACKSON INSURED
ALL ITS EMPLOYEES BUT
THE COUNTY DID NOT, HOLD
ING LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The - workmen's compensation act,
passed at the last session of the
Georgia general assembly, became
effective Tuesday, 1.
The city of Jackson recently in
sured all its employees, the policy
being written by a- company doing
that line of business. The premium
on the policy being $lll, it as an
nounced. /
Butts county has not insured its
employees. County Commissioner J.
O. Gaston takes the view that the
law does not provide for a levy to
pay the premium.
All establishments employing over
ten persons are embraced in the act,
which wjll be administered by a
board created for that purpose.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
TO BE INSPECTED
GRAND JUNIOR WARDEN WILL
VISIT ALEXIUS COMMANDERY
FRIDAY NIGHT. TO CONFER
ORDER OF TEMPLE
The annual inspection of Alexius
eommandery No. 22, Knights Tem
plar, will be held night,
March 4. At that time |jie Grand
Junior Warden, Sir Knight Perry
L. Blackshear, of Atlanta, will be
present and inspect the eomman
dery. The order of the temple- will
be conferred.
It is expected that a good showing
will be made by this eommandery,
which has a large membership in
Butts, Jasper and Henry counties.
All Sir Knights are requested to
be present promptly at 7 o’clock.
MONTICELLO SCHOOL DISTRICT
TO VOTE ON BOND ISSUE
On March 8 the citizens of Mon
ticello school district will determine
whether! or not a bond issue of SBO,-
000 for school purposes will be is
sued. ' The bond issue has been re
commended by the board of trustees
of the Monticello school district.
Of the proposed amount of SBO,OOO,
$72,5000 would be used for building
a school house and $7,500 for equip
ping same.
This is a progressive step for
JMonticello and Jasper county and if
the bonds are authorized the school
facilities there will be equal to the
best in the country.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
HAS HIS SALARY DOUBLED
In accordance with a recommen
dation of the county board of edu
cation the salary of Mr. T. H. Phin
azee, county school superintendent,
has been raised to $3,000 per year.
The salary was formerly $1,500.
In addition to his duties as school
superintendent Mr. Phinazee will
act as truant officer.—Monroe Ad
vertiser.
always, and the bulk of the taxes
collected in Georgia are paid by
real property.
Intangible Property
“It is estimated, and correctly so
I think, that the intangible, invisible
property in this country, far exceeds
in value the real property, yet the
bulk of it escapes taxation. If the
taxes v-.ere fairly distributed as be
tween tangible and intangible prop
erty, I haven’t a doubt that the bur
dens on realty would be materially
lessened.
“I have given long thought and
study to this problem, and as a mem
ber of the Georgia legislature many
years ago I served on a special com
mission to investigate the question.
I am not now prepared to commit
myself to any particular plan, but I
wish to assure you gentlemen that
I hope ,to devise a plan of taxation
In Georgia that will make for a more
equitable distribution of the burdens.
“I do not wish to be misunder
stood as advocating, directly or in
directly, anything that will drive
capital out of the state. I am not a
baiter of foreign corporations. 1
welcome them to our state, but I
feel that when they come they
should come with a disposition and
willingness to meet us half way
and help to pay the expenses of our
state government-’’
Governor-elect Hardvvck’s speech
made a directly favorable impres
sion on the realtors, and be was
given an ovation at the conclusion
of bis remarks.
JACKSON, GEORGIA, FRIDAY. MARCH 4, 1921
Kill Two Birds With One Stone
If the legislature of every cotton growing state were called to
gether in extraordinary session and laws enacted prohibiting the
planting of a single stalk of cotton during the year 1921, it would
have a wholesome effect. In the first place it would insure at least
cost for the cotton grown in 1920. In the second place it would rid
the South of the boll weevil.
Such a plan has been suggested in South Carolina and a bill to
that effect will be introduced, it is stated.
For the legislature of the several cotton growing states to take
such action would be a radical step. But it is time to take action of
some kind if the South is to be saved from bankruptcy. There is
no way to get rid of the boll vueevil except to starve the pest. By
not growing any cotton for one year the boll weevil could be starved.
By flot producing any more cotton until the world uses up tbe supply
now on hand, would mean better prices for the staple. It is a radical
step, but the end would seem to justify the means.
It is estimated that it will cost 28 cents to grow cotton this year.
It cost far more than that to produce the 1920 crop. Cotton is now
selling at around ten cents, many times under the cost of producing
it. How can the South go on producing a crop that does not yield
even cost? Such a course can only mean bankruptcy and economic
slavery for this entire section. ,
There never , was a more opportune time to rid the South of the
boll weevil and at the same time boost the price of cotton than the
present. It is time for the people of the South, farmers, merchants
and business men, to do*-some serious thinking.
For the South to try to grow cotton and sell it below cost of pro
duction, and under boll, weevil conditions, is folly. Only by concerted
action and co-operation can the South save itself in the present crisis,
and people everywhere should be willing to sacrifice their personal
preferences for the good of all.
The time for talk and resolutions is over. It is now time for
action.
BROWN SAYS 1921 COTTON
CHOP WILL COST 28 CENTS
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE APPEALS TO FARMERS TO
HOLD ACREAGE DOWN AND MARKET COTTON ON CO-OPE
RATIVE BASIS. SAYS SITUATION MOST SERIOUS SOUTH
HAS EVER KNOWN
Atlanta, March 3.—ln a letter ad
dressed to the farmers of Georgia
Commissioner of Agriculture J. J.
Brown announce? that a careful in
vestigation made by the State Board
of Entomology together with its
staff of cotton specialists shows that
on a conservative basis, the cost of
producing the 1921 cotton crop will
be 28 cents per pound.
In this estimate, Commissioner
Brown states, the present prices of
■fertilizers, (calcium arsenate and
other essential materials were taken
into consideration, and the farmer
was allowed a wage only about half
that paid by various corporations
over the country. Normal seasons
and no more than usual ravages by
the boll weevil; were also consider
ed.
“How can our farmers afford to
plant a cotton crop under these con
ditions, and when the sales now be
ing made by the exchanes for fall
delivery, are at aprice just one
half of the known cost of production
of this season’s crop?”
That’s the way Commissioner
Brown puts it up to the producer,
and he continues:
“Conditions every day more dear
ly demonstrate the folly and useless
ness of planting a normal crop. We
have tried to be conservative in rec
ommending a half a crop of cotton,
in the hope that the cotton con
suming world would realize the
fairness of our position, and be will
ing to pay the cost of production,
The well known aroma of fertili
zers v.vfted on spring breezes has
not been as mpeh in evidence this
year as heretofore.
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with a reasonable profit.”
“Under present conditions, with
the high prices of materials, it is
practically impossible for the South
to produce more than 75 per cent of
a normal crop, even if the present
price were satisfactory; and it is
more than reasonable to assume
that since present prices are only
aboat half the cost of production
this year, there will be a voluntary
curtailment of at least 26 per cent.
In the face of these facts, it is diffi
cult to see how the short sellers can
continue to soil for fall delivery at
around 14 cents a pound.
“We are in the midst of the
greatest struggle that has ever been
waged for the survival of the cotton
producer. In recent trips through
Georgia covering some sixty coun
ties, I found thousands of farmers
who will not plant a single cotton
seed this year, and many others
who will plant only one third of
their tillable lands. This policy
throughout the cotton belt, and a
co-operative system of marketing
like the California plan, would win
the fight for the South, and she
could hold the pricing of cotton in
her own hands.
“I again appeal to Georgia farm
ers not to plant any cotton unless
they see where they can sell it_, at
the cost of production plus a reas
onable profit. It would be far better
to buy the cotton from those who
are selling it for less than cost, arid
let them produce it—if they can.”
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS AT
TEND ATLANTA CELEBRATION
Supreme Chancellor Wat One of
Principal Speaker*
A number of Knights of Pythias
from Jackson attended the fifty-sev
enth anniversary celebration in At
lanta Friday night. The Supreme
Chancellor, William Ladew, of New
York, was present and made the
principal address of the evening.
There was a large attendance, not
only of resident members but from
other cities in the state. The exer
cises were held at the castle hall
and daniing, music and refresh
ments added to the pleasure of the
evening.
Among those from Jackson who
attended v;?re Messrs. J. G. McDon
ald, Warren Furlow, V. W. Fretwell,
Winfred O’Neal, Edgar McMichael,
W. E. Merck, S. P. Nichols.
GREEN TOMATO FOUND IN
GARDEN IN FEBRUARY
Show* That Past Winter Was a
Very Mild One
Mr. J. H. Blackwell, former coun
ty demonstration agent and now en
gaged in farming near Flovilla, sent
to this office Monday a green tomato
that he found in his garden. That
it was possible to find tomatoes dur
ing February shows the past winter
to have been a very mild one.
JACKSON WOODMEN'
TO UNVEIL MONUMENT
MEMORY OF J. H. KIMBELL
WILL BE HONORED BY MEM
BERS OF LOCAL CAMP. THE
PUBLIC IS INVITED
Jackson Camp No. 87, Woodmen
of the W’orld, will unveil a monu
ment Sunday afternoon to the late
Sovereign John H. Kimbell, whose
death occurred the past summer.
Mr. Kimbell was one of the most ac
tive and useful members of the
order.
The Woodmen will meet in their
hall at 1 o’clock and the exercises
at the cemetery will take place at 2.
It is stated that a special drill team
from Forsyth will be present and
members of other camps in this sec
tion have been invited.
The public is invited to attend the
exercises at the cemetery.
ORDERS A. B. 6 A.
PAY REDUCTIONS
FEDERAL JUDGE SIBLEY AU
THORIZES CUTS AMOUNTING
TO FIFTY PER CENT OF IN
CREASES SINCE 1917
Atlanta, Ga.—Federal Judge S.
H. Sibley, signed an order Monday
authorizing a reduction of wages of
employes of the Atlanta, Birming
ham and Atlantic railroad, effective
March 1.
The order instructed the receiver,
B. L. Bugg, to put into effect the
schedule of reductions which Mr.
Bugg, as president of the road had
contended for before the railroad
labor board. It amounts to ap
proximately 50 per cent of all the
increases granted the employes of
the road since government assumed
control of the property in 1917.
The Atlanta, Birmingham and At
lantic railroad was placed in the
hands of a receiver last Friday in
response to a petition filed by the
Birmingham Trust and Savings
Company and concurred in by offic
ials of the road.
In issuing the order Monday
Judge Sibley indicated his willing
ness to grant a hearing to the em
ployes should they desire to make
a showing in court as to their con
tentions in the matter.
The wage reduction granted by
the court is exactly that sought by
the A. B. & A. in its showing be
fore the federal railroad labor board
and announced by the officials of
the system in December, 1920, to'
become effective February 1, 1921.
This original wage cut order was
held up by the railroad labor board,
however, and at the recent hearing
in Chicago the board declared that
it had no jurisdiction in the case in
its present status.
As authorized by Judge Sibley’s
order the wage cut applies not only
to the officers of the road, employes
in all departments und skilled labor
of all kinds, but also to unskilled
labor, v.hich latter class cf employes
will be paid on a different scale.
Under the terms of the order wages
paid unskilled labor, such as section
hands and common laborers will be
regulated in each community so as
to conform to the general scale of
wages paid common laborers in that
particular community.
In a brief statement issued Mon
day Receiver Bugg declared the pe
tition for the order empowering
him to reduce wages “was a last re
sort to keep the road from going to
the scrap heap.”
348 BILLION DOLLARS
WAS COST OF WAR
Coit of Live* Loet Ettimated at 43,-
000,000 by Harvard Profeiaor*
Total costs of the world war were
declared to be more than 348,000,-
000,000 by Dr. Richard P. Strong,
professor of tropical medicine at
the Harvard medical school, in a
lecture at John Hopkins university,
Baltimore.
This total, Dr. Strong said, in
cluded estimates of the direct cost
of the war, amounting to $186,000,-
000,000, the direct costs aggrigat
ing $84,000,000,000 and the cost of
lives lost estimated at $78,000,000,-
000.
The-potential loss of life due to the
war was placed at 43,000,000 by Dr.
Strong.
HAKE 1921 A YEAR
OP HOG AND
HOMINY
$2.00 PER YEAR IN ADVANCE
WOULD PAY TAX
OFFICIALS SALARY
GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS
THAT ONE COUNTY POLICE
MAN BE RETAINED. WANTS
COURT HOUSE REPAIRED
We, the Grand Jury sworn and
empanelled for the February term,
1921, of Butts Superior Court, beg
leave to report as follows:
Through our various committees
we have examined the books of the
various county officers and find that
they are keeping them according to
their understanding of the laws.
The various officers have handed
in their reports as required at this
term of court and same are attach
ed hereto and made a part of these
presentments and ordered published.
We also attach hereto the reports
of the various committees on public
buildings, county farm, and the
chaingang and order that they be
come a part of these general pre
sentments.
We recommend that the County
Commissioner put. all side reads
leading to the main public roads
in passable condition and especially
the road leading from J. B. Rich’s
east to the main public road.
We commend •the Commissioner
of Roads and Revenues for his good
work on main public highways.
On account of economy being de
manded by present conditions, we
recommend that only one Count Po
lice be retained in the service of
the ebunty.
We have elected Mr. W. H. Ham
mond to succeed himself ns a mem
ber of the County Board of Educa
tion.
We recommend that Mr. W. .1.
Long and his wife, both blind, and
without any means of support, be
paid the sum of $5.00 per month
each.
We recommend that Mr. Bartow
Smith, who is unable to work and
without means of support, be paid
the sum of $5.00 per month.
We recommend that the registrars
appointed for the purpose be dili
gent and prompt'in the reporting
of deaths and births in the county.
We commend our County Com
missioner, Mr. J. O. Gaston, for his
efforts in trying, to, equalize the tax
es of Butts county with the State
Tax Comnffssioner.
We recommend that our Repre
sentative, Hon. W. E. Watkins, have
passed a bill placing the tax collec
tor of Butts county on a salary of
$1,5000.00 a year, making his bond
r.s the law now requires.
We recommend that our Repre
sentative also have passed a bill
placing the Tax Receiver of Butts
county on a salary of $1,500.00 a
year.
We recommend that these pre
sentments be published in the Jack
son Progress-Argus, and that the
sum of $25.00 be paid for same.
We extend our thanks to the Hon.
W. E. H. Searcy, Jr., for his cour
teous treatment of this body. We
also wish to thank our solicitor for
the assistance rendered us, and for
the courtesy and consideration
shown us.
We thank our bailiff, M. L. Duke,
for the faithful discharge of his
duty.
We thank Henry Thomas, our jan
itor, for the faithful discharge of
his duty.
We desire to thank the foreman,
the clerk and his assistants for the
courteous manner and efficiency in
dealing with various matters
brought before this body and for the
faithful discharge of their duty.
All of which is respectfully sub
mitted,
W. J. BANKSTON, Foreman,
S. P. NICHOLS, Clerk.
Ordered that* these general pre
sentments be entered on the minutes
of this Court and published as here
in recommended. Feb. 24, 1921.
WM. E. 11. SEARCY, JR.
Judge S. C. F. C.
Report on Chaingang
We the committee appointed to
inspect the county chaingang beg
to make the folowing report:
We find the sanitary conditions
of the camp to be good.
Find the follovVng equipment: 1 30
H. P. Tractor, under repairs; 1 20
H. P. Tractor, under repairs; l
.scarifier; 2 engine machines; 3 mule
machines, 1 under repair; 2 three
way drags; 20 mules and 1 horse,
11 mule wagons; 3 dump wagons;
7 wheelers; 3 six-horse plows; 2
four-horse wagons; 1 Ford ear; 2
Trucks, one under repair.
Camping Equipment: 15 felony
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