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PAGE FOUR
Ibe Mdavictta Journal
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY ‘
THE MARIETTA PUBLISHING COMPANY
o BUSINESS PHONE 18
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF COBB COUNTY
WM.LLHARRIS . . . . }
i+ « EDITORS
FBWING A. DOVE . . ~ i
Subscriptions within Cobb County $l.OO per Year—OQut
side of Cobb County $1.50 per Year
Entered at the Postoffice at Marietta, Georgia, as Seccmdj
Class Mail Matter.
Marietta Should Have A
Cheaper Electric Rate
Never before in the history of the United States
has there been such a public awakening to the pos
sibilities of water power development,
The offer of Henry Ford to develop the million
horse-power at Muscle Shoals, has brought out facts
and figures that are startling in their préponderance
Scarcely more than a year ago a republican con
gress and senate were debating the question of
scrapping the Muscle Shoals development where
millions and millions of dollars had been spent in
construction work during the war.
Henry Ford put in a bid for the property—unot
a junk bid, but a bid to finish construction and oper
ate the plant for the henefit of the people.
Today there is scarcely a ten-year-old school girl
in the United States who cannot give a half dozen
intelligent reasons why the Muscle Shoals property
should not be developed.
Henry Ford may not be successful in his ambition
to acquire Muscle Shoals. But if he fails in this,
he is not through. We will hear from Ford again
in any event. He has the water power development
idea well conceived, and will become a factor in
arrying out the work.
We believe that Henry Ford has gone too for to
op. Ie does not admit that there is such a word‘
~4 ‘‘failure,”’ at least he excludes it from his cate
gory. 1
Aside from the Muscle Shoals property on the
Tennessee river, the South has many other rivers
where nearly equal water power may be developed.
Statistics show that in the State of Georgia there are
six billion kilowatt hours of power now unharness
ed and running wastefully into the sea.
This waste cannot go on. The South needs this
power—the very life of the development of the
South depends largely on utilizing the wealth that
nature has so abundantly given us.
This is an electrical age. Steam is fast being re
placed by elecirie power. We need eletricity in our
homes, as well as in our factories and industrial
plants, !
The high cost of coal, and the many disadvant
agc. of coal as a fuel, has given great impetus to
electrical development.
There is a demand now for electricity for heat
ing and cooking, and all that is needed to bring
abont a universal use of electricity is a more mode
rate charge for the service.
Development to the fullest extent of Georgia’s
vast water pewer, should be pushed to completion in
the next few years. The work should be started at
once, and the fruits of this development given to
the people. There is nothing of equal value that
car be produced so cheaply as electricity, and the
State and municipalities should awaken to the oppor
tunity that nature has so abundantly given to Geor
gia.
A fact to be deplored is the high electrie rate of
cu™ own municipality, which is prohibitive of the
use of eleetricity %eor heating and cocking. With
ovt attempting to define the cause, the Journal is
rca onably sure that there is no just reason why a
cheaver rate should not be given. In this connee
ti-~ it is interesting to note a recent action taken
by “"e municipal electric plant at Jacksonville, Fla.,
1« iven in the following from the St. Petersburg
Ii 8 {Fiorida): . . ; e .
“‘Jacksonvilie's municipally. owned Clectriet
ant is to enlarge its activities in an etfort to
sispletely eluc‘u'if_v» the home, the cit.y.' com- |
ission has decided. The plan, it is said, will
" ieet a material saving in’ the ‘cost of fuel
. the consumer. o "
“The city commission recently adopted rve
orts submitted by a committee outlining a
owprehensive plan for making available to
‘¢ housewife power for cooking and heating
o supplement electrie lights. For eooking
. ud heating purposes the power is to be served
. 4 a net cost of two cents a kilowatt hour,
which will be retained. Heating and cooking {
apparatus will be supplied through a meter |
seperate from the lighting meter, with neces- |
sary additional wiring facilities will be sold by
the eity at cost on the installment plan. An
adequate supply of el‘:ctri(:al fixtures will be
kept on hand to meet the demands,
~ “*A six months advertising campaign will
be carried out for the purpose popularizing the
new plan. Instructors will be employed to ‘
acquaint the publie with the electrical usages ‘|
and salesmen will carry the selling campaign |
directly to the home.”’
—The Journal asks that the Marietta city couneil
start a similar campaign here,
Inerese electrical consumption and decrease the
charge for same. Make the rate more moderate and
the consumption will inerease. It works both ways
and in this case brings a greater profit to the elec
tric company, and a greater saving to the people.
; =
Increase the Wealth of Georgia
Through Co-operative Marketing
The co-operative marketing plan for Georgia is
gaining great headway.
' The campaign ends next week in a big drive to
bring the cotton pool up to 200,000 bales. Next week
}is to be designated as ‘‘Vietory Week,”” anunoce
ment of which is made in the news colums of this
week’s Journal,
| Something of the benefits to be derived from co
operative marketing is gained by learning what has
been accomplished in other states. '
It is a commc.a knowledge that the farmers of
(California are more prosperous than the farmers of
any other section of the country. This is not due
to climate or soil, for Georgia’s natural resources
are just as good as those of California; but the rea
son for California’s prosperity is that the farmers
there have learned to eo-operate in the sale of their
farm produets. They are selling together instead of
competing with each other,
There are more than a score of co-operative mar
keting associations in California, with an aggregate
membership of 80.000 growers, handling a business
of more than $250,000,000 annually. They are all
non-profit associations operating under a long time
delivery contract.
Nearly every commodity is organized, including
berries, apples, pears, oranges, lemons, dried fruits.
raisins, prnues, beans, alfalfa, canned goods and
even eggs.
The United States census shows that the four
richest agricultural counties of the nation are (ali
fornia counties, in which co-operative marketing is
'(lv\'vlnpvd to its fullest extent, g
| The case of Fresno is one favored example. Fif
teen years ago when the individual selling system
was followed, practielly every farm was mortgaged.
the banks were close to insolvency, and the buisness
of the town was small indeed. After less than o doz
en vears of co-operative marketing of their raisin
crop. the county of which Fresno is the county seat
is now recognized as the richest agricultural commu
nity in the world.
| The cotton pool, now being established in Geor
lgiu. is & co-operative marketing plan worked out on
}(lw same plan as the California marketing associa
-Ilimls.
Texas and Oklahoma were orcanized last year,
and the advantages of the co-operative marketing
of cotton was clearly proven in these States. To
make the plan more effective the co-operative move
ment has been carried into every cotton producing
State of the South, and contracts already signed will
control more than twenty-tive per cent of the cotton
erop.
s
Build Good Roads and Give
Labor to the Unemployed
w Spring is upon us. Hundreds of thousands of
"milcs of roadways need rebuilding or improving.
‘(’.“ot.xgtlcss thousands of American citizens are out of
employment, and begging for work.
Motorists are annually paying into the publie
fund millions of dollars for road improvement. The
~l~‘t'a§:o is all set, the_&udicnuyaxs_gmhlvd. vet there
;nio no actors to start the play. We A mericans con
tinue to sidestep the ruts or wallow in the muck of
the poorest roads in Christendon. |
It is all wrong. These idle men should be given
work on State and government improvements, and]‘
there is nothing more urgently needed today than
hard surfaced roads.
~ Georgia is to make a big step forward soon in
the voting of a $75,000,000 good roads hond issue, |
THE MARIETTA JOURNAL
NATIONAL NEWS DIRECT |
M WASHINGTON |
[ e ;
WABBLING ON THE BONUS i
There is a conspicious lack of starch in the Congress
ional support of the soldier’s bonus. In fact the soldier’s
bonus has become a sort of ghost that jumps out from
dark corners on black nights and scares certain con
gressmen out of their boots. Pregident Harding insists
that *he only way to “get money” for the bonus is by re
enacting the sales taxes. Congressmen have lived thru
the sales tax period, and most of them seem to think that’
the country would have to be chloroformed to stand for
it again. .
The American Legion is pressing i*s campaign for the‘
bonus, and Commander MacNider is insistent on speedy
action. Congress is pretty well divided between those
‘who believe in the bonus and want to pass it; and those
‘who do not believe in it and want it killed. . Class three
is likewise numerous, and it consists of congressmen
whose dis*ricts are close and who are willing to do the
“popular thing” on the soldiers’ bonus, or any other “old
thing”’ that will make them votes.
The President insists that if Congress passes the bonus
bill that it must provide the money to pay for it. So
far, every proposal *o raise this money has met with
stern disapproval from the White House. Congress is
like the man who mortgaged his house and land, his crops
and machinery, his livestock and household furniture,
and then was prevented from placing his wife and child
ren in escrow. “That is the fix we are in,” Congress is
telling the ex-service men. To which the Legion re
'plies: “You are t/alking bunk. If Congress wanted to
have a billion to fight with, the money would be raised
in a week. You can do the same thing in this bonus
matter.” Strange differences of opinion like this are
not unusual in Washington. e
. It must not be inferred that the Cangressmen who see
“spooks” whenever the bonus is mentioned are all in fav
or of the legislation. Far from it! The very fact that
they are uncertain results in all of the opposing forces
centering their influences upon them. The opposition
to the soldiers’ bonus is tremendous. The greatest ar
gument of this opposition is that *axes are too high.
Thousands of people who are in the midst of figuring out
their income taxes are dropping their problems long
enough to write their congressmen to demand retrench
ment and lower taxes. In fact a majority of the people
outside of those who will gain direct benefits from the
bonus are opposing the legislation. The willy-nilly Con
gressmen figures out that some of these opponents of
the measure will forgive him if he votes for the bonus,
but that the ex-service men will never. And so “willy
nilly” is apt to be found with the supporter who is for
the bonus because he believes in it. The power of the
two elements is almost—but not quite—enough to put
through a bonus bill. However, ‘*he big “but” is unans
wered—‘‘But, where is the money coming from?” Al
other assets have been pledged, the bonus supporters
have suggested the proceeds from the foreign debts. “But
again,” ther are indeed shadowy milliong, and it ig very
doubtful whether they could be depended upon for so
good a purpose as a bonus.
Represevntative Mondell is the Republican leader of
the House, and Representaitive Fordney is chairman of
the Ways and Means Committee. They are, in short,
te authorities who speak for that branch of Congress.
The other day they came from the White House, and
Mr. Mondell stopped to tell the reporters that he had
concluded that Congress should wait awhile before pas
sing the bonus bill, and that a little delay might serve “to
clear the skies.” He explained voluminously, all to
the effect that the Government might have a better con
dition of its finances later on.
Facts weight more than enthusiasm and hope! All of
these facts lead to the belief that the optimism of ex
service men is poorly founded; and more cautious ob
servers who gtudy the Washington situation and are
thereby enabled to forecast its results, are mostly agreed
that the soldiers’ bonus bill will not be passed at this
sesgion of Congress. The only thing that can save the
measure would be the surrender of President Harding to
its support. And this is not regarded as likely to occur.
The Committee of Congress that has been investigat
ing the different offers for the purchase of Muscle Shoals
has brought out many interesting facts that have not
been understood by the public. Of course the Com
mittee was disappointed by the failure of Henry Ford tp
accept its invitation, and elucidate his offer for the great
“Niagara of the South.” But the Alabama Power Com
vany, which is likewise a bidder for the property, is not
so modest, and Thomas W. Martin, president of the
company, told the committee that his company holds an
option for the exclusive right to purchase the Warrior
Steam Plant, contained in the contract signed with the
War Department, by which power was supplied by the
plant during the war for operation of nitrate plants at
Muscle Shoals. Mr. Ford includes this property in his
offer to the war department despite the claim to it of the
Alabama Company.
The feature of the hearings brings out the facts that
the Alabama interests that are seeking to purchase Mus
cle Shoals have already won their spurs in the South by
creating and carrying on large developments, and that
it would seem that they should be given particular con
sidgration on account of their accomplished achieve
ments. On the other hand Mr. Ford is being pictured as
a later-day ‘‘carpet bagger,” so far as this particular
proposition is concerned. But Fordgs Ford, and there
are none like him—hence the Ford enthusiasm in con
nection with Muscle Shoals. It may, nevertheless, be re
garded as unfortunate for the public interests, that the
investigation before Congress does not disclose the par
ticular merist claimed for the Ford offer. It is said that
Mr. Ford will make alterations in his propesition. It is
clear that the Government will not' do business with him
unless these changes are far more favorable than any
thing contained in the earler proposals. |
The women's sufferage amendment has been declared
legal by the United States Supreme Court. Affirming the
judgement of Maryland state courts, the Supreme Court
ruled the nineteenth amendment., giving women equal
right with men to cast votes, does not conflict with ar
ticle V of the constitution. The test suit was brought
from Maryland, where the state legislation twice refused
to ratify the suffrage amendment. .
BONUS LIKELY TO BE DEFERRED
DELVING INTO MUSCLE SHOALS
SUFFRAGE HELD LAWFUL
WAR CLAIMS BOARD FINISHES WORK
The War Claims Board of the War Department is pe
ing dissolved, its work having been virtually concluded.
Of more than 30,000 claims against the government in
connection with wartime contracts on army supplies and
equipment and also in connection with the acquisition
of training camp sites, only 31 remain undisposed of by
the claims board. <
LABOR FEDERATION AND THE VOLSTEAD ACT
Modification of the Volstead act to permit the many
facture and sale of light wines and beer, is called for in
a resolution of the executive council of the American
Federation of Labor, which presents a list of the evils
alleged to have been brought about by what is termed the
“drastic and unreasonable legislative interpretation” of
the eighteenth amendment. The Federation defends
‘the amendment but attacks the interpretation of it. The
action of the council, it was announced, was taken in
accordance with authorization given by the Denver con
vention of the, American Federation of Labor and is
the result of a careful and thorough insestigation of the
effects of the national prohibition act.
FLOWERS FOR THE LIVING.
I passed a cemetery after there had been a funeral.
On the newly made grave was a mass of beautiful flow
ers. Someone as a last tribute to the dead had spent
time and money, and through the medium of the flowers
tried to declare the love of the heart.
But I happened to know that the man whose body had
been given back to the earth had lived out his days with
without just appreciation. He was heart hungry through
many years for sympathy and words of encouragement.
He had done many good things for the community, had
lived a clean, upright life. But because of a peculiar
mannerism he was misunderstood. Folks said he was
queer. So he passed to the portal of death a lonely soul,
pure, noble, clean, and upright, but longing even at the
end for sympathy and love of his fellows. that never
came.
So we see heer a tragedy*of neglect. No eloquent fun
eral oration of praise can bring comfort to the dead. We
cannot atone for years of neglect by last hour tears and
praise, costly flowers may only mean that we are trying
to get away from guilty past by a belated action for
years of neglect.
If you love me tell me so now. Tomorrow may be too
late. If you think that when I am dead you will like
to place some flowers on my grave, don’t wait, send them
to me now. The little praise that is my just due for the
good things I have done will not turn my head. Speak
the words today. We are all heart hungry, lonely; our
souls filled with a great yearning for sympathy and love.
Do all that you want to do for me while I am living.
If lam worthy, love me, speak words of praise. Send me
blossoms that as I live may thrill by their beauty and
intoxicate with their fragrance. But after I have passed
through the door, and you stand outside in the presence
of the dead keep silent and send no flowers.—Hiram
Smith.
THERE IS A REMEDY, ALL RIGHT.
A week or so ago we carried the following paragraph:
“There is something radically wrong with our market-.
’ing system. With ham retailing for thirty cents a pound
in certain Georgia markets, the farmers are unable to
fraise hogs because of the low price they get for them.
‘With sweet potatoes in the local market selling for 35
and 40 cents a bushel, the consumers are paying ten
‘cents a pound, or $6.00 a bushel for them in the cities.’
To this the Dalton Citizen asks: “Well, what is to be
done about it? That there is something wrong no one
can deny, but where and how is the remedy to be found?”
There is a remedy. We did not go into that, it is true,
but we have stated in these columns before what the trou
ble is; it is a lack of marketing system. That is as plain
as the nose on a man’s face. There is a demand far be
yvond the supply and when we see a condition of that
sort, it is the producer’s own fault if he doesn’t get full
value.
There is a gathering in Athens this week called for
this very purpose of studying marketing conditions. How
many real producers of marketable goods will be there,
do you suppose? ®he Xown should be flooded with farm
ers from all over Georgia, but we will bet a hat ther is
Inot ten per cent of those present at this meeting who
are real farmers.
l It is quite true that those present are interested in
farming in some way, but the man who makes the stuff,
the tiller of thesoi, should be there. Until the farmers
"wake up and adopt some business-like method of not only
producing but selling their products, they are not going
to get what they should.
The unnecessary middleman must go. The slip-shod,
harum-scarum manner we have of marketing must elimi
nated. The fruit growers of California and Florida have
elimingted waste in this manner. The truck growers
have done the same thing. They have banded together
and all sell through one exchange. They have their pro
ducts packed unitformly. There is a marketing expert
in charge and he knows what stuff is worth and who
wants it. Nothing is shipped to a glutted market. It is
shipped where there is a demand for it.
The only drawback to this section is a lack of market
ing methods. When we bave solved the problem of mar
keting, the future for this section will then be bright.
We are going to have to learn to have confidence in our
fellow man to the extent that we will band together and
stick together. Through our very lack of confidence
in our neighbors and our refusal to band together with
them, we are placing ourselves at the mercy of unscrupu-’
lous market sharks and unnecessary middlemen.—Nash
ville Herald.
TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS AN ACRE |
In one of the local grocery stores here we saw a few)
days ago, some of the finest Irish potatoes we have evér?:
seen. They were positively beautiful. The average sizof‘
would approximate a goose egg. They were clean andy
free from defects. We inquired about them and were:j
told that they were grown by s Banks county! farmer.|
The local merchant buys ali the produce of thig farmer)
who has now moré than a hundred bashels for sale. The{
grocer says the quality is far superior to the foreign po
tatoes. The grocer is paying the farmer three and one-'
half cents a pound for his potates which means practi-.
cally $1.90 per bushel. If the farmer grows one hundred
bushels to the acre, one acre would bring him near $290.
And the grocer says he would never buy shipved potatoes
if he could get home-grown of this type. It might be
well to give the Irish potato serious concern when look
ing for a substitite for cotton.—Commerce News.
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1922
